But Christine Zhang, CEO of NAMA Tires, is among ‘that’ 8 percent of women who made their way up the male-dominated industry of automobiles. She talks to TyreTrends about her experiences while blazing her way to the CEO chair of one of the top tyre companies in Southeast Asia.

Zhang joined the tyre industry right after graduating from university. She credits her Thai background for her inclination towards the tyre industry. She said, “We are Thai people. We have tyre blood. I believed it was better not to change to other business as one, it is a great industry, and two, the relationship with customers from different customers had already been set by others. The link was already established.” 

When asked about her secrets to becoming a CEO in this industry, Zhang laughs and describes her hectic schedule of working 14-16 hours a day, travel commitments and other work commitments she must fulfil while playing the part. She believes hard work and dedication is what is required to get to the top, regardless of gender or age. However, in all good conscience, she believes that women are more dedicated and are better at handling huge responsibilities as they are conditioned to do so from a very young age in society. She says that with the right education, they might even bring to the table a lot more than any man. 

Zhang walks the talk as NAMA currently boasts of having a 60 percent women workforce and further encourages more women to enter the company by providing more human care such as flexible work schedules, especially for pregnant and lactating women. 

NAMA Tires was founded in 1999, and during the 90s and early 2000s, the major change experienced by the company was the added production of radial tyres along with that of the bias tyres. With the company entering the Industry 4.0 automation revolution, Zhang believes that people no longer view Chinese products as merely economical products. The Chinese tyre-makers have also begun making intelligent tyres to keep up with trends and have begun gaining a reputation beyond their low-end OEM manufacturing. She further adds that nowadays, many US and China made tyres are made of similar quality raw materials. Even at the equipment level, many Chinese brands have raised their bar to global standards and are doing good globally, she confirms. 

Zhang credits her team and the company’s customers for the 22-year journey the company has led so far. But things have not come easy. Anti-dumping and anti-subsidy charges and trade barriers by the US have caused various bumps along the way. Zhang recollects setting up the production base in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand and Vietnam, three years before the duties were imposed, as one of the wisest decisions for the company. She says that the company is always prepared and will always adhere to the laws of vigilance and regulations. She adds that the Covid-19 period also led to a difficult time as most of the products are sold internationally. NAMA sought online meetings with customers and localisation of employees as an alternative during the difficult period.

The company currently has its production bases in Vietnam and Thailand and is looking to expand its setup to Europe and Cambodia to satisfy the increasing customer demand. Around 60 percent of the company’s products are sold to US wholesale and retail distributors. The remaining 40 percent is distributed among the regions of Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The company hopes to receive more sales from its upcoming online retail platform. With the EV mobility trend catching up, the company will be looking into the production of EV specific tyres in the coming years. “We always keep an eye out for the latest technologies in the tyre world and try to implement them as soon as possible. Currently, we have many exclusively designed tyres and other technologically advanced tyres, such as our run-flat tyres that can run 500 kilometres with zero pressure, and a wide range of tyre sizes.” (TT)

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Goodyear is set to debut its first retail concept store in Detroit, the Goodyear Motor City Garage, just in time for the 2026 Woodward Dream Cruise. The opening coincides with a historic aerial display, as two Goodyear Blimps will fly over the Motor City for the first time in nearly two decades. This dual-blimp appearance will provide a bird's-eye view of the automotive spectacle, which annually draws over 40,000 classic vehicles and more than one and a half million enthusiasts.

The new garage will open on 15th August at eight in the morning at 3075 East Grand Boulevard. This specialised auto service centre functions as a hub for car culture, similar to destination retail concepts like a Starbucks Reserve Roastery. While offering expert services such as tyre sales, oil changes, alignments, brake service and battery replacement, the space also showcases the company’s technological innovations and storied heritage.

A custom Detroit-themed Eagle racing tyre, laser-carved with a tribute to the city, will be on display alongside a 1973 Ford Mustang convertible from ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ and a 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am ‘Bandit’. The Dream Cruise weekend will also feature new remote-controlled mini blimps, with further details to be announced on social media. The event honours Detroit engineers who once raced along Woodward Avenue, and Goodyear’s ties to the city date back to the early 1900s when Henry Ford collaborated with the company.

The Motor City Garage exemplifies Goodyear’s broader transformation, which includes approximately 1,500 new products planned for 2026 and a focus on higher-performance tyres. As the only major tyre manufacturer headquartered in United States, based in Akron, Ohio, Goodyear is striving to become more consumer-focused and digitally connected. The company also offers mobile installation service in 28 markets, including Detroit, allowing for tyre servicing at customer locations. Woodward Avenue remains a symbolic stretch where millions of Goodyear tyres have left their mark.

Mark Stewart, CEO, Goodyear, said, "Some of the best vehicles in the world have been laying down Goodyear rubber in Detroit since Henry Ford put them on his 999 race car in 1901. From track to tarmac to trail, Goodyear makes tyres worth bragging about, and we'll be doing just that during the Woodward Dream Cruise. Whether you're an enthusiast looking for ultra-high performance or just need help picking the best tyres to get your SUV through the school pick-up line, we're looking to show you how easy Goodyear can make vehicle care. Detroit's car culture makes it the perfect place to showcase our new retail concept alongside our Mobile Garage service that can install tyres and service your vehicle right in your driveway."

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Bridgestone India, a subsidiary of Japan’s Bridgestone Corporation, has marked three decades of operations in the country with a commemorative ceremony in New Delhi. The event functioned as a strategic review of the company’s deep-rooted presence in the region, bringing together a wide array of automotive executives, government officials and supply-chain collaborators. Senior management used the occasion to reaffirm the organisation's long-term commitment to the subcontinent, highlighting the mutual growth achieved through sustained industrial cooperation.

The ceremony was elevated by the presence of the Japanese Ambassador to India, H.E. ONO Keiichi, who acted as the guest of honour for the evening. His attendance underscored the diplomatic and economic importance of the bilateral ties that have supported the company’s expansion. During the proceedings, Bridgestone formally acknowledged the critical role played by its local allies and manufacturing partners, whose operational support has been fundamental to navigating the competitive Indian automotive landscape over the decades.

While the celebrations looked towards the future, they also provided a moment to evaluate the company’s evolutionary path within the country. The initial foray into India began with commercial activities in 1996, but the true industrial footprint was established two years later when production commenced at the Pithampur complex in Madhya Pradesh. Subsequent capacity enhancements, notably the 2013 addition of the Chakan facility near Pune, allowed the firm to scale its operations to meet the surging domestic demand for diversified tyre products.

In a bid to stay ahead of technological curves, Bridgestone inaugurated a specialised Satellite Technology Centre at its Pune site in 2025. This research hub is designed to localise the development of premium-grade tyres, concentrating on the entire lifecycle from raw material experimentation to final product engineering for Indian roads. This strategic move is intended to embed advanced research capabilities directly within the local manufacturing ecosystem, ensuring that regional offerings align with global ‘Dan-Totsu’ quality standards.

As the company transitions into its next operational decade, leadership is pivoting towards a robust agenda centred on sustainable transportation and digital mobility solutions. The firm currently supplies a comprehensive portfolio covering passenger vehicles, heavy-load trucks and off-road machinery, all engineered for local climatic and road conditions. With a strengthened technological base and a mature distribution network, Bridgestone India is positioning itself to be a primary catalyst in the country’s ongoing infrastructure modernisation and vehicular safety evolution.

H.E. ONO Keiichi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to India & the Kingdom of Bhutan, said, “Bridgestone India's 30-year journey is not merely the story of the growth of a company; it is also a symbol of the success of Japan-India economic cooperation. Since its establishment in 1996, the company has grown alongside the Indian market and has made significant contributions to India's industrial development and the evolution of mobility through its investments in plants in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.”

Ankit Asthana, IAS, Additional Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation, said, “The story of Bridgestone in Madhya Pradesh is not merely the success of one company; it is an example of how visionary corporate leadership and responsive governance can together create lasting economic and social value. This collaboration has not only contributed to the company’s growth but has also strengthened the industrial ecosystem of our state by generating employment, supporting ancillary industries and promoting responsible manufacturing.”

Nobuyuki Tamura, Member of the Board, Representative Executive Officer, EAST CEO, Bridgestone Corporation, said, “The first 30 years established a strong foundation, and the next 30 years will create new possibilities. Throughout our journey in India, we have remained guided by our Mission, ‘Serving Society with Superior Quality’, and our commitment to creating value for society through safety, sustainability, innovation and quality. India today plays a significant role in Bridgestone’s regional and global growth strategy. Looking ahead, we will further strengthen our commitment to India, including through the previously announced passenger car tyre expansion plan, preparations for which are already underway, while continuing to enhance our R&D capabilities to meet the increasingly sophisticated needs of the Indian market. Together with our partners and stakeholders, we will continue to innovate, grow and contribute to a safer, more sustainable and more connected future of mobility.”

Rajarshi Moitra, Managing Director, Bridgestone India, said, “Bridgestone India has contributed to India's growth through investment, employment generation, manufacturing excellence, technology development, local sourcing and skill development. As we enter the next phase, our focus will remain on translating Bridgestone's global capabilities into locally relevant products and solutions, strengthening responsible manufacturing, deepening partnerships across the automotive value chain, and addressing the evolving needs of mobility, society and the environment.”

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., has confirmed its role as the official tyre supplier for a significant portion of the upcoming Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR), with 12 competing teams and 20 vehicles set to utilise its GEOLANDAR M/T G003 mud-terrain tyres. The 2026 edition of Asia’s largest cross-country rally is scheduled to take place from 10 to 15 August 2026. This announcement follows a dominant streak for the tyre manufacturer, as vehicles equipped with GEOLANDAR tyres have secured the overall championship in three of the last four rallies, with victories in 2022, 2023 and 2025.

Among the prominent contenders receiving support is the defending champion, Team Mitsubishi Ralliart, which triumphed in 2025 and also claimed the title in 2022. The team is entering three Mitsubishi Triton pickup trucks for this year’s race, with a driver lineup that includes Chayapon Yotha, a two-time overall champion, Katsuhiko Taguchi and Kazuto Koide. The squad is aiming for consecutive victories on the Yokohama tyres.

Additional leading teams will also compete on the GEOLANDAR tyres, including TOYOTA GAZOO RACING INDONESIA, which previously achieved a championship and second-place finish in 2023 with its Toyota Fortuner. The roster of supported teams further includes the GEOLANDAR FORTUNER takuma-gp, driven by 2023 champion Takuma Aoki, the ISUZU SUPHAN TRANE TITANIUM YOKOHAMA NEXZTER RALLY TEAM, which is expanding to three vehicles after a fourth-place finish last year, and CUSCO Racing with two entries. Yokohama Rubber is also extending its support to diverse teams, including those featuring female drivers.

The GEOLANDAR M/T G003 tyre is distinguished by its robust and aggressive design, providing superior traction and durability across challenging off-road surfaces such as mud, gravel and sand. The tyre’s extended lifespan and reliable performance on varied terrain have been consistently validated in numerous international off-road competitions, reinforcing the brand’s reputation in the rally community.

The AXCR, first held in 1996 and officially sanctioned by the FIA, is a gruelling event comparable to the Dakar Rally. For 2026, the rally will be entirely hosted within Thailand, covering an approximate 2,000-kilometre route from Pattaya to Phitsanulok. Competitors will navigate a demanding assortment of landscapes, including mountainous regions, dense jungles, coastal beaches and agricultural plantations, testing both vehicle and tyre durability to the limit.

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Italian bicycle tyre manufacturer Vittoria has launched Tire Finder, a digital tool on its website designed to streamline the tyre selection process. The platform offers a personalised recommendation system that guides each cyclist towards the most suitable Vittoria products based on individual riding profiles.

The tool operates by posing a structured series of queries regarding a rider’s preferred discipline, style, terrain, priorities and performance goals. Responses generate a tailored selection, complete with explanations for each recommendation, covering road, mountain bike, gravel, BMX and commuting applications. An additional Mix & Match feature enables customised front and rear combinations to enhance grip, rolling efficiency and control for specific performance targets.

Catering to novices purchasing their first tyres and experienced racers seeking specialised setups, Tire Finder simplifies the decision-making process. The system delivers a personalised configuration that prioritises the rider’s specific ambitions, ensuring an informed and efficient path to the ideal tyre arrangement.

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