Indian tyre exports reached a record INR 273.12 billion in FY2025-26, rising 9 per cent from INR 250.57 billion in the previous financial year, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce.

The increase marks the second consecutive year of 9 percent growth in tyre exports, highlighting the industry's ability to sustain overseas demand despite geopolitical uncertainty and slower global economic growth.

The United States remained the largest export market for Indian tyres, accounting for 15 percent of total export value at INR 40.82 billion during FY2025-26. However, its share declined from 17 per cent a year earlier after the US administration increased tariffs on Indian tyre imports from 25 per cent to 50 per cent in August 2025.

The higher tariffs reduced the competitiveness of Indian tyres against products from countries benefiting from lower trade barriers. In February 2026, the US reduced tariffs on most Indian goods from 50 per cent to 18 per cent, providing some relief to exporters.

Arun Mammen, chairman of the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association, said the industry had delivered strong export performance despite disruption to global supply chains, higher logistics costs and trade uncertainty across key markets.

Through market diversification, cost optimisation and policy support, Indian tyre manufacturers-maintained export momentum during the year.

After the US, the leading export destinations for Indian tyres were Germany, which accounted for 7 percent of exports, followed by Italy and Brazil at 5 per cent each, and France at 4 percent. Indian tyres are now exported to more than 170 countries.

"The tyre industry has exhibited remarkable resilience and growth in the post-pandemic period. Over the last four to five years, tyre manufacturers have invested approximately INR 300 billion across greenfield and brownfield projects, reflecting strong confidence in India's long-term economic prospects and its emergence as a global manufacturing hub" added Mammen.

India's tyre industry has an estimated annual turnover of about INR 1 trillion, with exports accounting for more than one-quarter of total industry turnover.

The industry said geopolitical developments, including the West Asia crisis, continued to pose challenges through supply chain disruption, higher energy costs and inflationary pressure. However, manufacturers remain optimistic about long-term export prospects, supported by trade agreements and deeper integration into global value chains.

"As global supply chains continue to evolve, India is increasingly being recognised as a reliable sourcing destination for high-quality tyres. Supported by technological advancements, sustainability initiatives and favourable trade engagements, the Indian tyre industry is well positioned to strengthen its role in global markets in the years ahead," added Mammen.

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Pirelli will deploy its full range of tyre compounds across the upcoming Austrian and British Grand Prix races. For the Red Bull Ring event in Spielberg, teams gain access to the three softest mixtures in the range, designated C3, C4 and C5. The Silverstone race, however, sees a return to the hardest trio of C1, C2 and C3 compounds.

The Austrian circuit features the fewest corners and shortest lap time on the Formula One calendar, with heavy braking and acceleration zones. These characteristics generate predominantly thermal degradation in the tyres, while lateral loads on the axles remain low. Despite the track’s old and highly abrasive surface, pure tyre wear is not considered a decisive factor.

Silverstone adopts the Sprint weekend format this year and ranks among the longest circuits, dominated by high-speed corners that produce extreme lateral forces comparable to Suzuka and Spa-Francorchamps. Consequently, the front axle endures the highest stress, with the left-front tyre wearing more quickly due to the abundance of right-hand turns.

Pirelli serves as the title sponsor for the British Grand Prix weekend, a distinction it also holds for the Italian Grand Prix. This association links the manufacturer’s name with two of the most frequently held historic events in the Formula One World Championship.

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ZC Rubber made a strategic statement at THE TIRE COLOGNE 2026, held from 9 to 11 June, using the event to reaffirm its enduring dedication to the European automotive sector. The manufacturer placed its advanced WESTLAKE and GOODRIDE tyre families at the forefront of its exhibition.

A clear strategic pivot for the region was evident, as the company mapped out a wider European direction. Visitors were shown a full pipeline of new passenger car and light truck tyres destined for a second-half 2026 release, presented alongside the proven commercial truck portfolio and a handful of carefully selected previews set for 2027.

Considerable interest gathered around the passenger car and light truck offerings, specifically the upcoming summer and all-season ranges. Performance enthusiasts examined the WESTLAKE ZuperFlex Z-137 and GOODRIDE RideMax G-147 for ultra-high-performance vehicles, while off-road specialists focused on the WESTLAKE TERRA LEGEND SL399 and GOODRIDE MUD LEGEND SL388.

The WESTLAKE Zuper4S Z-411 emerged as a central solution for Europe’s unpredictable seasons. Engineered to manage wet roads, snow and dry tarmac in one package, the tyre uses V-shaped grooves to rapidly clear water and slush. Its high-density 3D siping provides braking stability on icy surfaces, while a specialised compound ensures consistent grip and long life across wide temperature ranges.

Within the commercial truck arena, ZC Rubber highlighted its established WESTLAKE Gen II series, already valued by European fleets for mileage. The WSL2 steer tyre was presented as a tool for stable handling and fuel savings, featuring optimised pressure distribution and a low-heat compound. The WDL2+ drive tyre was shown to deliver strong traction and even wear thanks to its rigid blocks and belt-wrap technology. Motorsport attendees saw the upgraded WESTLAKE Sport RS2 displayed alongside the Red Bull Driftbrothers’ drift car, a product of close racing collaboration now under consideration for future public sale.

The company also offered glimpses of 2027 innovations, including the WESTLAKE Z-301 van tyre, the GOODRIDE All Season G-721 and new truck solutions like the WTL2 and GOODRIDE M2. The latest passenger car and light truck tyres are expected across Europe in the latter half of 2026, while the premium WSL2 and WDL2+ truck tyres are already available. ZC Rubber confirmed it will continue advancing product development and regional support tailored to Europe’s varied climate and transport needs.

Leo Liao, General Manager, ZC Rubber Europe, commented, “The Tire Cologne gave us an important opportunity to show not only a broader product portfolio but a clearer direction for Europe. We are focusing on products that respond to the way European customers actually drive, operate and make purchasing decisions – from year-round mobility to long-haul efficiency and durability. These products reflect how we are listening to European customers and partners, and how we are building a portfolio that is more closely aligned with local market needs.”

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Nokian Tyres has launched its Road Trip Guide consumer campaign, running from Monday through 19 June at NokianTyresdotcom/Guide. The initiative, themed around real drivers, real destinations and real roads, invites motorists to submit lesser-known travel spots including roadside diners, remote trails, scenic views and unique landmarks.

The campaign website includes a tyre quiz to assist drivers in selecting the appropriate tyres for their journeys, along with safety tips designed to keep attention on the scenery rather than roadside issues. On its social media channels, including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Threads under the handle @NokianTyresNA, the global tyre maker is sharing road trip safety advice, aspirational travel ideas and destination recommendations from tire dealers.

Several all-season, all-terrain and all-weather tyres from Nokian Tyres’ North American factory in Dayton, Tennessee, supply shops across United States and Canada. Popular models include the Nokian Tyres One, the Outpost all-terrain family, the all-weather Remedy WRG5 and the Surpass AS01, an ultra-high-performance tyre with puncture-resistant Aramid fibres introduced last year. The company, which invented the winter tyre, also unveiled the studded Hakkapeliitta 01, the first studded winter tyre with on-demand grip, available at tyre shops this fall.

Beyond the guide, Nokian Tyres is engaging travellers through a partnership with Alterra Mountain Company and appearances at Overland Expo events across United States. Globally, the company served as an Official Sponsor of the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships, which concluded at the end of May.

Hans Dyhrman, Director of Marketing, Nokian Tyres North America, said, “Safety is the foundation of every journey, from daily errands to cross-country road trips. Our Road Trip Guide is a great place for drivers to turn for inspiration and information that will help them make the most of their summer travels.”

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Michelin has redirected industry focus towards its speciality tyre division, a lesser-known but strategically essential part of the group’s operations. During its latest Media Day, held on 9 and 10 June 2026, the company welcomed visitors to its Almería Test Center in Spain, known as CEMA – a facility deliberately chosen for its exposure to Europe’s most punishing weather conditions. At this site, the group rigorously pushes its products to their breaking points, underscoring how critical this lesser-known division is to overall corporate strategy.

Specialty tyres are presented as vital components for industries where operational failures carry severe economic and human risks. They ensure safe aircraft landings, maintain continuous mining output and boost agricultural machinery performance under strict technical and regulatory demands. Rather than simple rubber parts, these products function as high-technology assets that keep the global economy running smoothly, performing reliably in some of the harshest environments on earth.

Financially, this segment has become Michelin’s most lucrative tyre activity, generating 17 percent of group revenue with a 13.1 percent operating margin in 2025. First-quarter 2026 data showed volume growth of 2.5 percent, with further expansion expected in structurally growing markets like air transport, logistics and defence, where annual growth rates range from three to eight percent. Research and development investments, 90 percent of which remain in France, support this trajectory alongside a manufacturing scale-up at Bourges and new industrial processes in Le Puy, Troyes and Montceau-les-Mines.

Michelin enhances client performance through specialised teams, digital services and enduring partnerships backed by 6,000 researchers and deep materials science expertise. Motorsport activities accelerate innovation by pushing tyres to their limits, while the CEMA facility itself serves as a unique living laboratory. With 113 kilometres of tracks, vast terrain and custom-built measurement tools from Clermont-Ferrand engineers, the centre is far more than a test track, standing as a central pillar of Michelin’s innovation strategy.

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