Key speakers for the first edition included Dr S S Gupta, Senior Development Officer – DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry; Anshuman Singhania, Chairman, ATMA; Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM; Rajesh Menon, Director General, SIAM; Rajiv Budhraja, Director General, ATMA; V K Misra, Past Chairman, ITTAC and Technical Director, J K Tyre & Industries; Sudershan Gusain, Senior Deputy General Manager, Bridgestone India; B V Shamsundara, Deputy Director (SHL), ARAI; Ravin Kurian, Chairman, ITTAC and Senior General Manager, MRF; Deepak Sawkar, Senior Advisor, Maruti Suzuki  and Harjeet Singh, Chairman, SIAM Two Wheeler Group and Executive Adviser – Technical, Hero Motocorp.

“Road safety and tyre are very closely related. Under the tri-series jointly organised with ATMA, the first series focuses on tyre and road safety, second on technology and environmental issues, and third on standards, regulations and sustainability,” said Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM.

“Tyres are the most critical safety component for a vehicle and road safety and are one of the highly regulated automotive components,” said Rajesh Menon, Director General, SIAM.

In his inaugural address, Anshuman Singhania, Chairman, ATMA and MD, JK Tyre & Industries , said, “Tyre industry in India has all along understood the need for safety and has been constantly upgrading for promoting sustainable mobility. It has been our consistent effort to ensure that tyres are central to all discussion about road safety, behavioural fuel efficiency, rider handling etc. Tyres are unfortunately one of the most neglected parts of vehicle, but awareness is now growing. Road safety revolves around 3Es – education, engineering and enforcement – and I would urge the industry to organise more such programmes to educate the wider audience.”

The guest of honour, Dr S S Gupta, Senior Development Officer – DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, said, “This programme on awareness about tyre care and road safety is very timely and relevant. The issues related to the tyre industry are being taken care of continuously by the DPIIT under Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Various interventions have been initiated by the department, including the one on import policy which brought tyres from free import category to restricted category, giving a boost to the domestic industry. These initiatives will lead to Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat while promoting local manufacturing of tyres.”

According to Rajiv Budhraja, Director General, ATMA, tyre has been the most regulated yet neglected auto component, and data substantiates that tyre care is lacking globally. These awareness and education initiatives will herald a new era of raising awareness and imparting education on the aspect of tyre safety through this tri lecture series, especially in this digital world.”

Sudershan Gusain, Senior Deputy General Manager, Bridgestone India Pvt Ltd, said that 410 deaths per day happen due to road traffic accidents in India and many of these are attributed to neglected tyres. While he called for greater industry efforts to changing perception on tyre care through awareness, he encouraged all motorists to maintain their vehicle’s tyres by playing their PART – Pressure, Alignment, Rotation and Tread.

Ravin Kurian, Chairman, ITTAC and Senior General Manager, MRF Ltd, spoke about safety, durability and failure analysis of tyres. He pointed out that rash driving, low inflation and potholes are considered to be the major reasons for quick wearing out of tyres and highlighted that road hazards, inflation pressure, tyre section height and structure are important parameters for understanding quality of tyres.

The interactive session held amongst speakers focused on the pivotal role of tyres in road safety, being the only point of contact between the vehicle and the road. The tri-series will continue its endeavours and organise the two remaining sessions on the topics: ‘Technology and Environmental Challenges’ on 24th September 2021 and ‘Regulation and Sustainability’ in October 2021, which will deliberate upon various aspects of tyre manufacturing, raw material sourcing, recycling, environmental, regulatory framework and sustainability. (TT)

THE TIRE COLOGNE (TTC) 2026 is adopting a new WALK OF SERVICES format that will focus not just on products but on solutions for the economic and organisational sustainability of the tyre industry. The event is scheduled to be held from 9 to 11 June 2026.

The WALK OF SERVICES addresses the dynamic change currently experienced by the tyre industry. Today, having the proper workshop equipment, specialised software architecture, good technical experience and long-term staff engagement and retention tactics are essential for surviving in a market that is becoming more and more complicated. By strategically connecting the pertinent partners, information and solutions in branded areas across the trade show, THE TIRE COLOGNE will provide visitors additional value through the WALK OF SERVICES.

Clear visitor instructions, exhibitor booths with a theme, live demonstrations and a diverse programme on the Service Stage all contribute to the WALK OF SERVICES' content-driven narrative. Employees, system and process solutions, workshop technology and tyre service, vehicle services and disposal and sustainability are the five topics covered by the WALK OF SERVICES. Additionally, the model gives exhibitors access to new prospects. They gain from more visibility, a tailored strategy for their target audiences and a pertinent content foundation for excellent conversations. This new format's emphasis on services shows a strong commitment to the trade show's continued growth.

Michelin, the world's foremost pioneer in tyre technology, has opened its first Michelin Tyres & Services shop in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, in collaboration with Tyre On Wheels, a top auto tyre dealer. Michelin India's emphasis on solid local connections is reflected in the new shop.

Tyre On Wheels offers a wide selection of Michelin tyres for high-end automobiles together with top-notch tools for tyre fitting, alignment and balancing. This alliance is well-positioned to meet changing consumer expectations given the continuous increase in private car ownership and the need for dependable after-sales servicing in Lucknow. Additionally, it backs Michelin India's continuous initiatives to grow its network of upscale stores and offer clients professional advice, high-quality goods and an exceptional level of customer service.

Tyre On Wheels has established itself as a reliable presence in Lucknow's automobile servicing industry by leveraging its 65 years of experience and three-generational heritage. In the city, Tyre On Wheels has two locations: one in Ashiyana Chauraha and one in Gomtinagar. The dealership, which is well-known for its knowledgeable advice, affordable prices and trustworthy after-sales support, provides a variety of services, such as alloy wheels, wheel alignment, balancing, nitrogen filling and tyre sales.

Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director, Michelin India, said, “We are pleased to expand Michelin’s presence to Lucknow, a city that blends cultural heritage with rapid infrastructural growth. Our partnership with Tyre On Wheels reflects a shared commitment to quality, customer care and trust, values deeply embedded in both their legacy and Michelin’s brand ethos. As we continue to grow our footprint across India, this launch reinforces our commitment to bringing innovative tyre solutions and superior service experiences to emerging cities with growing mobility needs.”

Eighty-two percent of drivers in Canada want to take a day or overnight trip this summer, according to a recent Probe Research survey for the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada (TRAC). However, a majority of drivers are opting to remain in Canada rather than travel to the United States, highlights the survey.

The results of the study, which measures interest in road trips across borders and within provinces, show that only eight percent of Canadians currently have plans to cross the border, and 88 percent of them would prefer to travel inside Canada rather than travel to the United States. This year, 51 percent of drivers cancelled their scheduled road excursions to the United States. In Canada, 28 percent of respondents will drive to another region of the nation, while 69 percent want to travel by car inside their province.

The poll also brought to light the discrepancy between drivers' behaviour and their understanding of the significance of tyre care. Given the present financial strains, the majority of Canadian drivers (89 percent) concur that appropriate tyre inflation and maintenance are more advantageous than ever since they boost tyre longevity and improve fuel efficiency.

Carol Hochu, CEO, TRAC, said, “Our findings reveal that Canadian drivers need more education about how to do tyre maintenance right. This is especially true among younger drivers, who may be taking a road trip for the first time this summer. Proper tyre inflation and maintenance aren’t just safety measures – they’re economic ones. Improper tyre inflation – both underinflation and overinflation – increases fuel consumption, shortens tyre lifespan, and even increases the risk of tyre failure on poorly maintained tyres during long road trips. So, while Canadians are staying on Canadian roads this summer, they should check their tyres before embarking on a road trip adventure. It’s simple, easy, and helps keep drivers safe.”

Pirelli has announced the development of specific P Zero tyres for the new hybrid Porsche 911 GTS. This marks the latest collaboration between the tyre manufacturer and the German automaker, extending the availability of P Zero tyres across the entire 911 range.

The tyre maker states that it has engineered a unique version of the P Zero R as the primary fitment for the sports car. This tyre aims to balance performance with daily usability. A new compound provides grip across varied surfaces and weather, with an emphasis on wet conditions. The tread pattern reduces noise and low rolling resistance supports efficiency.

A dedicated P Zero Winter 2 tyre was also created for Porsche 911 owners seeking winter performance. This tyre features a directional tread pattern to improve wet and snow grip, while enhancing braking and handling on dry surfaces.

The tyre development process utilised Pirelli’s Virtual Development Center (VDC) in Breuberg, Germany. This facility employs virtual design and testing, leading to increased precision, a 30 percent reduction in development time and a 30 percent decrease in physical prototypes. The VDC facilitated the optimisation of tyre characteristics for the Porsche 911.

This joint effort represents the latest in a long-standing partnership between Pirelli and Porsche. Pirelli has achieved 338 homologations for all Porsche models, including SUVs, sedans and sports cars with internal combustion, hybrid and electric powertrains. Previous collaborations include the P Zero Trofeo RS for the 911 GT3 RS and the Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus for the 911 Dakar. The P Zero R will be the main tyre for the Porsche 911 GTS.