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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ZC Rubber is showcasing an extensive selection of industrial and off-the-road tyre solutions at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 trade show, being held from 3 to 7 March 2026 in Las Vegas. Attendees can visit the company at booth #N11041 in the North Hall to explore products from its key brands, including WESTLAKE, TIANLI, ARISUN and YONGGU. These offerings are specifically engineered to withstand the rigorous demands of sectors such as construction, agriculture, forestry and material handling.

The display features a comprehensive range of products, such as radial OTR tyres, agricultural tyres, forest tyres, material handling tyres and rubber tracks. Each product is designed to deliver durability, superior traction and operational efficiency in challenging work environments. The exhibition provides an important platform for ZC Rubber to engage with industry professionals, highlight its technological advancements and demonstrate its commitment to supporting global construction and industrial sectors with reliable, high-performance solutions.

Visitors can explore the lineup and speak with the team to learn how these tyre solutions can enhance productivity across a wide variety of applications.

Benjamin Lou, Global OTR Director, ZC Rubber, said, “CONEXPO brings together the people and machines that keep the world building, and it’s a great place for us to connect with customers face-to-face. With brands like WESTLAKE, TIANLI, ARISUN and YONGGU under one roof, we’re able to offer a true one-stop tyre solution across construction, agriculture, forestry and material handling. Our goal is simple – help customers find the right tyre for every job, all in one place.”

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Bridgestone Corporation has announced a significant advancement in environmental research with the development of an industry-first vehicle collection method for tyre and road wear particles (TRWP) specifically from truck and bus tyres. This innovation is designed to enhance scientific understanding of how such particles may interact with the environment. Tyre and road wear particles are generated through the friction between a tyre’s tread and the road surface – a process essential for vehicle safety and comfort – and consist of a combination of worn tyre material and fragments of road pavement. The newly developed collection method for trucks and buses was also showcased at the Tire Technology Expo 2026, held from 3 to 5 March in Hannover, Germany.

The company had previously introduced a collection method for passenger car tyres in 2025 and has since been working to improve its efficiency. Applying insights gained from that earlier development, particularly regarding how particles are generated and dispersed, Bridgestone created a proprietary system tailored to the larger scale of truck and bus tyres. To ensure the accuracy of the collected samples, the company used a dedicated proving ground designed to replicate real-world driving conditions. Before each test, the track was meticulously cleaned to prevent contamination from pre-existing debris.

For the collection process, Bridgestone engineered suction devices and intake mechanisms compatible with larger tyres. A sturdy aluminium frame was used to construct the tyre cover, ensuring durability against strong winds during operation. Following controlled driving sessions, particles that remained both on the track surface and inside the tyre cover were gathered for analysis.

This effort is part of a broader commitment to investigate the physical and chemical characteristics of tyre wear particles and their potential environmental effects. Bridgestone participates in the Tire Industry Project (TIP) facilitated by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and collaborates with external research organisations and corporate partners. With the ability to collect samples from both passenger vehicles and heavy-duty trucks and buses, the company aims to accelerate research, share findings widely and support efforts to reduce particle generation.

Alongside this research, Bridgestone is advancing several complementary initiatives. These include developing longer-lasting tyres with improved wear resistance, offering solutions that help customers lower total operating costs and working to minimise environmental impact throughout the product lifecycle.

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UTAC, a prominent player in the automotive testing, inspection and certification sector, is significantly broadening its footprint in China. The company has unveiled plans for a cutting-edge proving ground in Huainan, situated in the central province of Anhui. This ambitious project is being developed through a collaboration with the Huainan City Government and is set to become the primary strategic hub for the UTAC Group’s operations within the country. By establishing this facility, UTAC aims to bolster the mobility industry with top-tier testing capabilities and specialised knowledge.

The new site will enable UTAC’s team of specialists to offer homologation and testing services that align with the most current international benchmarks and regulatory standards. This initiative is a direct continuation of the group’s overarching goal to foster a mobility landscape that is both safer and more environmentally friendly. The Huainan facility is designed to be comprehensive, featuring a variety of specialised tracks for vehicle testing, along with a technology park that includes rentable workshops and office spaces. It will also house a dedicated conference and exhibition centre and purpose-built laboratories outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment. These labs will be specifically geared towards testing the latest advancements in new energy vehicles.

Anhui province itself provides a rich environment for such an investment. Home to 70 million people, it hosts a dense and extensive mobility ecosystem. Major automotive manufacturers like BYD, Changan, Chery, JAC, NIO and Volkswagen, together with their extensive supply networks, are deeply embedded in the region. The province’s manufacturing prowess is underscored by its production of roughly 3.7 million vehicles in 2023, a figure that positions Anhui as China’s leader in overall vehicle manufacturing, new-energy vehicle production and vehicle exports. Consequently, the new proving ground in Huainan is poised to become a vital strategic component for UTAC, solidifying its presence in this central hub of the Chinese mobility industry.

Connor McCormack, CEO, UTAC, said, " We are extremely proud of our partnership with the city of Huainan, which is undergoing a significant transformation to support the future of the automotive industry. UTAC is delighted to contribute to this transformation and to bring our 100 years of specialist expertise, along with the European standards we have helped shape and validate, to China’s vital automotive sector.”

Mayor Zhang Zhiqiang of Huainan City said, “This represents a significant milestone in Huainan's efforts to accelerate the development of its intelligent connected vehicle industry. It is of great importance in bridging the critical gap in the regional automotive sector’s industrial chain of ‘testing-production-export' and establishing a specialised vehicle testing and certification platform with international recognition. The successful cooperation on this project will undoubtedly advance the high-end and intelligent transformation of the regional automotive industry, providing strong impetus for Anhui Province's efforts to foster a new energy vehicle industrial cluster with international competitiveness.”

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DUNLOP Tyre Europe GmbH (DUNLOP) is preparing to introduce its latest innovation, the BLUE RESPONSE TG, an all-new summer tyre engineered to advance safety, efficiency and driving dynamics. This model marks a significant milestone as the first DUNLOP summer tyre developed by Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) and will make its official debut this weekend at the Circuito de Sevilla in Spain. The 4.2-kilometre track, known for its 16 corners and lengthy 822-metre straight, provides a demanding environment ideal for showcasing the tyre’s capabilities. Under the theme ‘the art of perfect balance’, the BLUE RESPONSE TG will undergo rigorous evaluation on the Spanish circuit to demonstrate its well-rounded performance.

A dynamic launch event has been arranged to give 120 attendees, including customers, journalists and influencers, a firsthand look at the tyre’s abilities across multiple conditions. Participants will engage in slalom exercises on both dry and wet surfaces, while braking and obstacle avoidance drills will highlight stopping power and responsiveness. Handling assessments will allow for direct comparison with rival products, focusing on cornering stability and steering accuracy. Additional tests will examine comfort and noise levels, emphasising rolling smoothness and sound reduction, as well as efficiency, showcasing lower rolling resistance and reduced fuel consumption. The experience will be complemented by guided road drives and track laps, offering a thorough perspective on the tyre’s dynamic qualities.

To illustrate the versatility of the BLUE RESPONSE TG, the test fleet includes a diverse selection of modern vehicles. Among them are the Audi e-tron, BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz EQE, Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Toyota GR Yaris and Nissan GT-R R35, spanning from premium electric cars to high-performance sports machines. Developed specifically for contemporary vehicle platforms, the tyre integrates an advanced tread design, a novel rubber compound and a reinforced construction. These elements work together to deliver precise handling, short braking distances, strong wet grip and low rolling resistance, catering to drivers seeking safety, comfort and stability in both routine travel and more demanding scenarios.

Markus Bögner, President and Managing Director, DUNLOP Tyre Europe, said, “This is our first DUNLOP event since the acquisition, which is precisely why the launch of our summer tyre is so important to us. Direct interaction with customers and the media here on site is crucial for us, as it is the only way we can hear their perspectives and continue to develop in a targeted manner.”

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