It all started in early 2019 for TVS Srichakra to expand and concrete its position on the international turf. The tyre company opened its research and development facility in Milan, Italy in early 2019, and then in August, TVS Tyre rebranded to TVS Eurogrip with the introduction of 19 premium tyres. Since then, the company has been aggressive in enhancing its R&D and testing capabilities and market presence globally. According to V Sivaramakrishnan, CTO, TVS Srichakra, the new brand and new product launches such as zero-degree steel-belted radials, new product lines in tubeless bias have appealed to the trade and its customers alike with increasing traction in the market.
However, TVS Srichakra’s new product launch plans did get impacted due to Covid. As the industry started seeing a revival in demand, in March 2021, TVS Eurogrip launched 11 new products which cater to a wide range, from commute to high-performance bikes as well as electric three-wheelers. This year, the Indian two-wheeler major plans to introduce more products designed and developed in the company’s R&D centre in Milan, Italy for the Indian market. More than two dozen products are in the pipeline for future catering to ‘untapped opportunities’. The company will also start its business in APAC and MEA. “Our Milan R&D centre plays a vital role in defining product target performances, product concept design, technical features and organisation of testing sessions that are held on European roads and racetracks. The Milan team and our R&D centre in Madurai work closely in defining the product specifications and technical aspects while creating new products,” said Sivaramakrishnan.
“Establishing our direct presence in developed and growing markets is an important step for us towards building Eurogrip as a strong global brand. It goes hand in hand with the research studies we’ve been conducting on new technologies, which will benefit all markets, including India. With our expertise as a manufacturer of two-wheeler tyres for over three decades, we are confident of making a mark in developed markets, and we look forward to the future growth potential,” added Sivaramakrishnan.
Its recent offering – e-Conta and e-Durapro – for e-rickshaws, according to the company, has garnered a positive response. TVS is planning to introduce a set of new tyre patterns and sizes specially designed to cater to electric two-wheelers in the coming months.
“The company focuses on its research and development efforts in continuously improving the bike and scooter performance for India and global markets. We have developed a range of high-performance radial tyres suitable for the Indian market. TVS Srichakra is the only company in India to have the entire range of radial technology such as textile cross belted, zero degree textile and zero degree steel,” said Sivaramakrishnan.
TVS Eurogrip is also developing a range of high performance zero degree steel- belted radial tyres for Europe and other markets.
Bounce Back With Changes In Trends
Covid has changed the dynamics of the two-wheeler industry. After a setback last year, the motorcycle industry is bouncing back, and a complete recovery is expected in the next three years.
In the luxury travel markets, the company sees an average gradual decrease of displacement and an increase of scooter and street models. In contrast, in the utility markets, there is a gradual increase in displacement and increased models variety and segmentation.
According to the company, the utility vehicle-driven market is growing in the fast-growing economies. It is predominant by personal two-wheelers, consisting mainly of scooters, mopeds and motorcycles with low average displacement and higher average mileage for commuting purposes, whereas in luxury vehicle markets, personal two-wheelers are used for commuting and leisure purposes and as a status symbol.
“Compared to the Indian bike market, bikes in the leisure market such as the US are used mainly for free time purposes by riders with a much higher and ever-increasing average age. As a result, the leisure markets have seen reduced usage and a lower propensity to buy a replacement bike. To tackle this, bike makers are focusing on less represented groups – young people and female riders. An increasing number of manufacturers have recently released various models in 200 to 450 cc range and electric mobility. Compared to the traditional 600 to 1200 cc markets , these midsize motorcycles are lighter, less expensive, easier to ride and on par with their bigger brothers in terms of quality, style and tech equipment. While more and more manufacturers develop and release these models for leisure markets, we expect that their availability will also reach India and other Asian markets,” said a TVS Eurogrip official.
Push For Electric Mobility
Though slower compared to the e-passenger car industry, the electric two-wheeler industry is gaining traction worldwide. Banning ICE-driven two-wheelers in coming decades, stricter regulations on pollution and improving technologies like longer battery duration and charging infrastructure will further fuel demand for electric mobility in two-wheelers.
“To get behind this moment, an increasing number of motorcycles and scooters are being launched to satisfy customers’ expectations. Alongside, traditional manufacturers are enlarging the capability to include electric vehicles. Many new players are emerging with an exclusive focus on the segment,” added the official.
Eurogrip Product Development for Global Market
To boost its international growth, TVS Srichakra is launching several new products aimed to fit vehicles and riders worldwide. In 2021, the company has launched Bee Connect and Bee City. In 2022, the company will launch the Climber XC for the off-road segment, which will target Motocross and Enduro vehicles. The company will also launch the Road Hound. These tyres will be for the sport-touring segment, which will target naked, sports and tourers. It will also launch the BEE Sports for the sport commuting segment to cover scooters and underbones. Going forward, it will target super sports, medium & big trail and cruiser & heavy tourers.
Testing Capabilities
Today, the company has test tracks in Madurai for testing handling performance and grip in wet and dry conditions on various surfaces such as asphalt, concrete etc. with different friction coefficients. It has its own indoor durability laboratory for tyres, which is capable of testing tyres up to speeds of 300 kmph, and indoor tyre characteristics laboratory, which is capable of accurately measuring tyre rolling resistance, 3-axis stiffness, tyre force and moment characteristics, footprint pressure distribution etc.
“Finite Element Methods (FEM) and Multi-Body Dynamics (MBD) are two focus areas for us, where we use internally developed methods to predict the performance of the tyre on a standalone basis using FEM and simulate driveability performance using MBD. With such simulation tools, we can get the right tread pattern, tyre construction and compound combination to deliver precision performance,” said the company CTO.
The company’s research and development activities are focused on reducing the impact on the environment and maximising performance for end customers. “We continuously explore and adopt technologies which enable us to use recycled material, biodegradable material and reduce energy consumption in tyre production. We have many patents filed in this area,” added Sivaramakrishnan. (TT)
Pirelli Signs Partnership With Univrses To Integrate AI Vision Into Cyber Tyre System
- By TT News
- May 01, 2026
Pirelli has entered into a strategic agreement with Swedish technology firm Univrses to integrate artificial intelligence-based computer vision systems into its Cyber Tyre platform. As part of the deal, Pirelli has acquired a 30 percent stake in Univrses, with an option to increase that share to a majority holding. The collaboration will embed Univrses’ 3DAI technologies into Pirelli’s existing Cyber Tyre solutions, creating a unified system aimed at producing safer and higher performing vehicles.
The combined technology has potential applications in advanced driver-assistance systems and autonomous driving. It also generates timely, actionable data for road management, helping authorities make better decisions and deploy resources more efficiently. This could lead to fewer road accidents and saved lives. The system uses onboard cameras and tyres to collect feedback on road conditions. Pirelli’s Cyber Tyre, the first integrated hardware and software system of its kind, gathers data from tyre sensors, processes it with proprietary algorithms and communicates in real time with vehicle electronics and the cloud.
Univrses originally developed its technology to help cars understand their surroundings, but it has since been adapted to turn vehicles into AI-powered road monitoring agents. The Swedish company’s 3DAI Engine provides autonomous vehicles with perception capabilities including 3D positioning, mapping and spatial deep learning. Its 3DAI system digitises roadside infrastructure using data from vehicle-mounted sensors like cameras.
A pilot project is already active in Italy. In 2025, Pirelli and the Puglia Region launched a road network monitoring system to create an updated map of infrastructure conditions. The system analyses data from tyres via the Cyber Tyre platform alongside visual data from cameras interpreted by Univrses’ technology.
Andrea Casaluci, CEO, Pirelli, said, “The agreement with Univrses further enhances our Cyber Tyre™ platform, thanks to advanced AI‑based artificial vision technologies. The collaboration between Pirelli and Univrses will make a significant contribution to the ongoing transformation of cars into true software‑defined vehicles.”
Jonathan Selbie, CEO, Univrses, said, “Continuous monitoring and data are becoming the new foundation for infrastructure asset management, and Univrses technology is able to provide powerful analytical capabilities based on reliable and frequently updated data. In this context, we are pleased to welcome Pirelli as an investor and to take our partnership to the next level: we will join forces to deliver increasingly advanced services and products.”
ZC Rubber To Spotlight WESTLAKE And GOODRIDE Tyres At THE TIRE COLOGNE 2026
- By TT News
- April 30, 2026
ZC Rubber is preparing a major European-focused showcase at THE TIRE COLOGNE, scheduled to run from 9 to 11 June 2026. The tyre manufacturer will occupy Booth C050g in Hall 8.1, highlighting its WESTLAKE and GOODRIDE brands with a clear emphasis on products tailored specifically for regional market demands.
The display will blend imminent and future innovations. Products destined for a European launch in the latter half of 2026 will appear alongside the company’s current truck and bus radial lineup. Selected previews of developments planned for 2027 will also be on view. A featured attraction is the Westlake Sport RS2, a drift-proven ultra-high-performance tyre praised for its grip, precision and 180 treadwear rating. A renewed rubber compound, developed through work with the Red Bull Driftbrothers, now delivers steadier traction under severe driving conditions. Appearing at the stand, Red Bull Driftbrothers driver and engineer Elias Hountondji will illustrate how motorsport data directly refines ZC Rubber’s product engineering.
Additional new passenger car radial models for Europe in the second half of 2026 include the Westlake ZuperFlex Z-137, Goodride RideMax G-147, the all-season Westlake Zuper4S Z-411 and the off-road focused Westlake Terra Legend SL399 and Goodride Mud Legend SL388. On the truck and bus side, already available tyres such as the Westlake WSL2, Westlake WDL2+ and Goodride S2, D3 and D4 will be exhibited, covering steer and drive axle needs for long-haul and heavy-duty transport.
A sneak peek at 2027 offerings will feature the Westlake Z-301 commercial van tyre, Goodride All Season G-721, Goodride SnowComfort G-518 and new TBR models including the Westlake WTL2, Westlake WTR OEM and Goodride M2. ZC Rubber’s team will remain on-site throughout the event, welcoming visitors and partners to the booth for meetings and professional discussions.
Leo Liao, General Manager, ZC Rubber Europe, said, “This year’s showcase reflects a much broader and more complete portfolio for Europe. From UHP and all-season tyres to all-terrain, mud-terrain and TBR solutions, we are bringing new developments across almost every major segment. This reflects how seriously we take the European market: we are listening to local needs, investing in the right products and building a portfolio that better matches the needs of our European partners.”
Magna Tyres Unveils MA801 TR Solid Tyre For Recycling And Heavy Industrial Applications
- By TT News
- April 30, 2026
Magna Tyres has launched the MA801 TR, a new solid tyre engineered for extreme operating conditions in recycling facilities and heavy industrial settings. Designed to maximise equipment uptime while supporting high load capacities, the tyre is built to deliver dependable performance in harsh environments. The official debut of the MA801 TR will take place at IFAT 2026 in Munich, scheduled from 4 to 7 May 2026.
The new model is intended for compact wheel loaders and telescopic handlers, featuring a flat-free solid construction. Its extra-deep non‑directional tread is reinforced by a triangular structural design, which enhances traction and stability on surfaces littered with sharp debris. Available in sizes 13.00‑24 and 14.00‑24, the tyre prioritises puncture resistance and reduced maintenance needs.
Thanks to its robust architecture and deep tread profile, the MA801 TR offers an extended service life and consistent performance across demanding work cycles. By eliminating the risk of flats, Magna Tyres positions the tyre as a reliable solution for recycling and industrial operations where continuous heavy loads are standard.
Yokohama Rubber Secures SBTi Validation For 2035 GHG Reduction Targets
- By TT News
- April 30, 2026
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has secured validation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a prominent corporate climate-action organisation, for its greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets set for 2035. This endorsement confirms that the company’s goals are scientifically aligned with the standards established under the Paris Agreement. The validated targets are measured relative to the company’s 2024 emission levels.
Under the approved framework, Yokohama Rubber aims for a 63.0 percent reduction in combined Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, which cover direct emissions from its business activities as well as indirect emissions from purchased energy. Additionally, the company commits to a 37.5 percent cut in Scope 3 emissions, specifically targeting indirect supply chain emissions from purchased products and services, along with fuel and energy-related activities not included in Scope 1 or Scope 2. To achieve these reductions, Yokohama Rubber has been expanding solar power generation and renewable energy electricity at its global plants, while also disclosing indirect emissions from product distribution, use and disposal since 2013.
The company obtained SBTi validation to accelerate supply-chain-wide emission cuts in response to intensifying climate challenges. Operating under its sustainability management slogan, ‘Caring for the Future’, Yokohama Rubber continues to create shared value by tackling social issues directly through its business operations.
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