Apollo Tyres inaugurated an advanced tyre testing facility today. The facility is housed at its global R&D centre, Asia in Chennai, India. Apollo Tyres claims that the new facility will help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of product development cycle for passenger vehicle and two-wheeler tyres, including the ones for electric vehicles.

The key features of the advanced test facility are the custom-designed flat-trac machine and anechoic chamber. These characterise the performance of the tyres’ dynamics and acoustics, leading to faster product development for both OE and replacement markets, according to the tyre maker company. The development of tyres for high-end passenger vehicles, EV-specific tyres for passenger vehicles and high-end motorcycle tyres would be the products that would get directly benefitted due to this facility.

As per Apollo Tyres, the flat-trac machine, which is a key component of advanced tyre testing, is used to characterise handling parameters and tyre models, and to measure force and moment (F&M) properties of the tyres. This machine is custom-designed to address the tyre simulation needs of future vehicles, such as EVs and autonomous vehicles. Unlike previous versions, the machine replicates real-life situations, including the vehicles’ emergency manoeuvrs, like high slip angles and high torque ramp-up. For two-wheelers, it simulates the most severe inclinations, as prevalent amongst premium motorcycle riders, states Apollo Tyres.

Another component of this testing facility is the high-speed uniformity machine combined with anechoic chamber. The tyre manufacturing company claims that this helps simulate the noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) properties of the tyres, which are critical for vehicles – especially for EVs and premium vehicles. This machine combines the study of both mechanical and acoustic comfort parameters by building different road profiles for the tyres to be tested.

Apollo Tyres is also looking at reducing the expensive and time-consuming tests at different tracks around the world, by augmenting the advanced testing capabilities.

Speaking at the inauguration, Daniele Lorenzetti, Chief Technology Officer, Apollo Tyres, said, “We strongly focus on continuous improvement in efficiency and effectiveness of product development, and this new facility will further augment our testing capabilities for future vehicle models. We will be able to fine-tune the performance of our products by simulating closely to the real world conditions using this facility. This is aligned with Apollo Tyres’ 2026 vision, of which technology is a key pillar.”

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Chinese tyre manufacturer Linglong Tire has won its first quality award from Germany’s Automobile Club (AvD), marking a breakthrough for Chinese brands in European automotive testing as the industry faces mounting competition.

The company’s Sport Master 4S tyre claimed victory in the price-performance category of AvD's 2025 all-season tyre test, scoring 4.1 out of 5 points in the 205/45 R17 size category. The result saw Linglong beat eight models from established manufacturers in the value-for-money assessment.

“This test victory proves the high quality of our products, confirms our excellent development work in Europe and China, and underlines that high quality and an attractive price are very compatible,” said Wolf Fuder, head of marketing at Linglong in Europe.

The victory represents a significant milestone for Linglong, currently ranked 14th globally amongst tyre manufacturers. The AvD noted that the result demonstrates how “Chinese manufacturers are quickly catching up in terms of quality -- not only in the automotive sector, but also in the tyre sector.”

Linglong has been expanding its European presence through its Serbian manufacturing facility in Zrenjanin, which produces over 14 million tyres annually. The plant forms part of the company’s strategy to serve

The Sport Master 4S tyre underwent development at Linglong’s European development centre in Hanover and testing in Spain, China and Finland. The company said the tyre features a directional V-shaped tread pattern designed for enhanced grip on wet and snowy surfaces, whilst an innovative silica compound aims to reduce rolling resistance and noise.

Linglong’s European operations have been central to its global expansion strategy as Chinese tyre manufacturers seek to establish credibility in developed markets.

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JK Tyre & Industries has promoted a senior finance executive to commercial director and reshuffled management responsibilities as part of organisational changes.

The Indian tyre manufacturer said Sanjiv Saxena, previously senior vice president for corporate accounts, has been elevated to commercial director with immediate effect. Saxena will join the company’s senior management team and oversee supply chain operations, material procurement and liaison activities.

Saxena, a fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, brings more than 38 years of experience in finance, corporate accounts and direct and indirect taxation to his new role. He has participated in various leadership and management programmes at academic institutions.

The company also announced that Ashish Pandey, currently senior vice president for materials, has been redesignated as senior vice president for off-highway tyres (OHT) and outsourcing. Pandey will remain part of the senior management team and will now be responsible for all highway tyres business, outsourcing operations and coordination for the company’s Mexico operations.

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Mercedes-AMG and Michelin have successfully completed a gruelling endurance run at Italy’s Nardò Technical Center, driving the circumference of the Earth – 40,075 kilometres – in under eight days. The CONCEPT AMG GT XX, a precursor to next year’s production AMG.EA electric architecture, maintained an average speed of 300 kmph throughout the challenge, showcasing its advanced drivetrain technologies.

An equally critical component of this achievement was a groundbreaking new tyre developed by Michelin. To withstand the extreme stresses of sustained high-speed driving, the company’s R&D centre created the MICHELIN Pilot Sport 5 energy. This high-performance tyre is the result of five years of research, utilising advanced dynamic simulation and unique manufacturing processes. Its innovative tread features a dual-rubber architecture: an energy-saving compound on the outer sides to reduce consumption and a central adaptive compound to maximise dry and wet grip. This design ensured consistent performance and exceptional energy efficiency, minimising the need for recharges throughout the record attempt.

Fitted with integrated RFID chips for real-time monitoring, these specially sized tyres were supported by an extensive onsite technical effort from Michelin. Engineers provided 24/7 support and monitoring, while dedicated teams worked around the clock to manage fitting and replacements on the demanding 12.6-kilometre banked track.

This endurance record underscores the strategic, 30-year partnership between Mercedes-AMG and Michelin, built on a shared commitment to extreme performance and innovation. It also demonstrates Michelin’s capacity to develop tailor-made, cutting-edge solutions for demanding manufacturers, accelerating the arrival of these advanced technologies for drivers worldwide.

Serge Lafon President of the automotive original equipment business line at Michelin, said, “Congratulations to Mercedes-AMG for this symbolic endurance record, to which Michelin is proud to have actively contributed. This circumnavigation in under eight days by the CONCEPT AMG GT XX is a striking demonstration of the possibilities of innovation: tyres capable of delivering both performance and energy efficiency, from the first to the last mile. This success takes on its full meaning on the eve of the commercial launch of the new MICHELIN Pilot Sport 5 energy range. This will benefit directly from the technologies validated in the field, such as the never-before-seen dual-rubber architecture on the tread. This challenge illustrates Michelin’s commitment to turn its sporting challenges into innovation accelerators for mobility that is ever more sustainable.”

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In a strategic move to advance its digital mobility services, Sumitomo Rubber Industries has finalised an agreement to acquire US-based AI startup Viaduct, Inc. for USD 104 million. This acquisition, signed on 27 August, is a direct result of a successful existing partnership and is designed to rapidly accelerate the global deployment of Sumitomo’s predictive maintenance solutions.

The collaboration centres on integrating Sumitomo’s proprietary SENSING CORE tyre sensing technology with Viaduct’s sophisticated artificial intelligence algorithms. This powerful combination will form the foundation of a new predictive maintenance service for corporate fleet vehicles in North America, scheduled to launch in October. The service is intended to minimise vehicle downtime and maintenance expenses by accurately forecasting the optimal time for parts replacement, thereby preventing breakdowns and enhancing operational safety and efficiency. The platform is also expected to expand into streamlining parts ordering and providing automated work instructions.

Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Viaduct brings proven expertise in analysing large-scale data from vehicles and manufacturing environments to detect anomalies and diagnose their root causes. While the company has a strong history with major automotive clients, its versatile AI technology offers potential for expansion into other industrial sectors.

This acquisition represents a critical step in Sumitomo Rubber’s broader ‘SMART TYRE CONCEPT’, which aims to address the evolving demands of next-generation mobility, including connected and autonomous vehicles. The company envisions developing its SENSING CORE-based services into a fourth core business pillar, alongside its established tyre, sports and industrial product divisions. With a focus on autonomous driving and fleet management, Sumitomo Rubber has set a target of generating over JPY 10 billion in operating profit from this new business segment by 2030.

Satoru Yamamoto, President and CEO, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, said, “As we prepare for the coming era of autonomous driving, we are delighted to have found a trusted partner in Viaduct to help expand our SENSING CORE services, which are highly compatible with next-generation vehicles. This is one of the key strategies to accelerate the achievement of the SENSING CORE business concept outlined in our long-term corporate strategy R.I.S.E. 2035 released in this March. Through deeper collaboration, we aim to create innovative services that go beyond mobility.”

David Hallac, CEO, Viaduct, Inc., said, “We are thrilled to join the Sumitomo Group under Sumitomo Rubber, a trusted partner we have been collaborating with for years. This acquisition not only accelerates our momentum but also gives us the scale and reach to bring AI-driven transformation to more customers around the world. When I had the opportunity in April to visit and learn more about the Sumitomo Group, I was deeply impressed by the integrity, long-term vision and commitment to excellence that define their culture. I felt an immediate affinity between those values and the way we operate at Viaduct, and I’m excited for the future impact we can create together.”

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