I have been puzzled for more years than I care to consider as to why tyres, and so the personnel that service our tyres, are treated so poorly. Before replying, have a wander around a car park at the supermarket, or at the truck stop, and look at the condition of the tyres. My team’s fathers have taught their children to look at tyres and so they have become ‘tyre aware’. The children report to me with what they observe of the tyres on vehicles adjacent to them when stopped at traffic lights or in traffic, and they are most concerned! They well understand that their primary safety starts with tyres that are in good condition and appropriately inflated. Thankfully, with TPMS, pressure maintenance has been semi-automated, if the driver takes any notice of the notification on the dash.

So, the personnel who ‘repair’ our tyres, the people at the local tyre shop, or the heavy vehicle service centre or maybe even on a mine site manoeuvring a 4-metre giant tyre onto a wheel or rim, with a combined mass of 5 tonnes to be fitted to a giant haul truck providing a GVM of 600 tonnes, have one thing in common – they are in the firing line if a catastrophic tyre failure occurs during service.

A quick search on the internet will bring a plethora of such events recorded. Why is it serious? A medium size 22.5-inch truck tyre has a burst potential of more than 12 tonnes – a larger tyre of course has a higher potential. There is a serious differentiation that needs to be explained here: a tyre burst is the instantaneous (or near to) release of contained inflation pressure. The resultant force is directly related to the inflation pressure. A tyre explosion is the result of combustion within the tyre’s air chamber. The resultant forces may be magnitudes higher than the initial inflation pressure.

A burst has an effect on the human body not unlike that of a military hand grenade; agreed there is no thermal outcome in a tyre burst and no chemical effects, but the air blast is somewhat equivalent. We expect our tyre service personnel to work on equipment of unknown history or unknown service life on pavements of greatly varying quality without question. Experience is what differentiates older tyre service personnel from a new starter. Sure there are training facilities as well as the school of hard knocks. I do say to trainees, “do not use your first chance with tyres, you may not get another.” Then I show some tyre burst videos and the understanding is set in place.

The quality of components for a pressure vessel – as a tyre assembly actually is – is most critical. The tyre itself must be carefully inspected and be sound and free of defects as far as an external examination can determine. The wheel or rim components, particularly lockrings, MUST be in sound condition and must be compatible with the wheel/rim base they are being mounted onto. If the tyre service personnel are not 100 percent certain of compatibility, then it’s a no fit event.

A tyre being inflated after mounting is worthy of a formal risk assessment. A “what if” process, questions of what if the tyre failed during inflation, what if the wheel/rim failed or in the case of a multi piece assembly disassembled, who is in the firing line in such a case? Yes, inflation cages are a mandate (or should be) in professional tyre shops. The simple hoop style cage will prevent large pieces being ejected from a catastrophic failure but still permits the air blast to escape, potentially damaging any human body within 2–3 metres.

The damage an air blast impacts onto a human body may not be visible from the outside. Such an air blast may impart serious injury to soft internal organs such as lungs, kidneys, digestive systems and may even result in embolisms that can traverse the blood returns to the brain or heart where injury is a not if but how bad. 

If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in or attend a catastrophic tyre failure, then have the service personnel attended by an emergency physician with continued observation for 24 hours. The damage to the body may not be immediately apparent.

So why do we permit untrained (read lacking confirmed competence) personnel to work in such a high risk environment? It circles back to why people purchase budget priced tyres; they just don’t see any value in paying for quality. A quick story: a 4WD pulls into the local tyre shop, the driver exclaims he wants the best off-road tyres in the shop and then explains, “Oh, my wife will be with the family car next week, just a set of cheapies on hers will be fine.”  There is total confusion in the value proposition here. His toy has to have the best, but the family vehicle can have cut or rock bottom price items. HELLO??? The same phenomenon happens with tyre service work. A smart transport operator well understands that the cost of operating their tyres is a lot more than just the tyre’s purchase price. The tyre bay that supports the operation and keeps it rolling is a key component of the operation. So why not invest in trained and skilled personnel? I say to these owners, a good tyre service personnel knows all their tyres by their first names. Just as the transport operator can tell you about the habits of different vehicles, a competent tyre person can identify aspects of tyre performance most would not even think about; no, most don’t even think about their tyres, let alone care!

A well-mounted tyre, i.e. one that has been properly mounted onto the wheel or rim base so that it is concentric with the base, will balance up well, rotate smoothly without continually hammering the suspension on every revolution and as well provide fuel savings AND a safe ride for the driver and passengers. Add properly inflated and then maintained (of course, TPMS provides the easiest form of maintenance), and a tyre will perform at its best, which is what we demand when the vehicle is put into a corner, or required to brake heavily. Why would you not want the tyres to be able to perform at peak performance without fault?

Invest in your tyre service personnel, train them and educate them to not only understand the risks but observe the potentials too. Improved business with your clientele as well as enhanced safety for your work force will result. Remember, the TyreSafe 6M principle’s end result is to??? (If you don’t know, askus@tyresafe.com.au)

Competent and passionate tyre service people are worth their weight in gold. When you find one, you’ll understand what I mean.

Take care, stay safe, isolate as required and enjoy! (TT)

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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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Michelin has introduced the MICHELIN Primacy 5 in India, marking a pivotal development for the tyre manufacturer as it represents the first passenger car tyre produced locally by the company. This new premium offering is specifically engineered for sedans and sport utility vehicles, signifying an important progression in Michelin’s operational footprint within the Indian automotive market.

The latest tyre is designed to accommodate the varied powertrains present in the contemporary automotive landscape, serving internal combustion engine vehicles, hybrids and electric vehicles equally. Through the application of sophisticated tread pattern optimisation and next-generation rubber compounds, the Primacy 5 aims to provide a balance of enduring safety, ride comfort, responsive handling and enhanced energy efficiency.

Performance metrics for the new tyre demonstrate substantial advancements in safety and durability. Compared to its direct competitors, the Primacy 5 offers considerably shorter wet braking distances for both new and worn tyres, along with improved dry braking performance. It also provides an eight percent increase in overall mileage over its predecessor, the Primacy 4ST, achieved through the integration of EverTread and EverGrip technologies that sustain grip throughout the tyre’s lifespan. Additionally, the tyre sets a new standard for ride comfort with a nine percent better comfort score than rivals, attributed to a noise-attenuating tread pattern, while also delivering a six and a half percent improvement in energy efficiency.

Having received the Tyre of the Year 2025 accolade at the Tire Technology International Awards, the Primacy 5 is slated for commercial release starting August 2026. Upon launch, it will be accessible to customers through Michelin’s own retail network and a nationwide distribution channel of approximately 800 authorised dealers.

Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director, Michelin India, said, “India’s premium mobility landscape is evolving rapidly with growing demand for high-performance, safe and sustainable tyre solutions across sedans, SUVs and electric vehicles. The launch of the Made-in-India MICHELIN Primacy 5 marks a significant milestone for Michelin in the country and reflects our commitment to delivering products that are tailored to the needs of Indian consumers. Manufactured in India for Indian drivers, the Primacy 5 has been developed and tested on the vehicles most driven in the country, benchmarked against leading competitors, and validated by an independent testing agency. By combining Michelin’s latest global tyre technologies with local manufacturing expertise, the Primacy 5 is uniquely positioned to meet the evolving expectations of Indian motorists for superior safety, longer tyre life, enhanced comfort, energy efficiency and everyday performance. India continues to be a key growth market for the Michelin Group, and as we expand our retail presence and strengthen our manufacturing and service ecosystem in the country, we remain committed to bringing world-class mobility solutions closer to our customers while contributing to India's manufacturing ambitions.”

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VMI has secured the prestigious EcoVadis Platinum Medal, the highest possible distinction within the internationally recognised sustainability benchmark. This coveted recognition positions the Dutch company within the top one percent of all enterprises evaluated globally, a ranking determined by rigorous analysis of environmental practices, ethical conduct, labour and human rights standards and sustainable procurement policies.

This year’s Platinum accolade represents a significant advancement from the Gold rating VMI earned in 2025, underscoring a dedicated trajectory of enhanced corporate responsibility. The upgraded status highlights the organisation’s persistent drive to elevate its ecological and social governance benchmarks beyond its previous high standards.

The momentum behind this elevated rating stems from several key corporate initiatives launched over the past year. These include the institution of the enterprise-wide ‘We green it together’ programme, designed to empower diverse teams to achieve specific sustainability objectives, alongside the formal adoption of the VMI Sustainability Manifesto, which articulates long-term aspirations. The recent publication of the 2025 Sustainability Report further complements these efforts by transparently detailing the company’s measurable progress against its established targets.

Harm Voortman, President and CEO of VMI Group, said, “Receiving the EcoVadis Platinum Medal is a proud milestone for VMI and we share this medal with all our employees around the world. This recognition reflects the progress we have made in integrating sustainability into every aspect of our business. From designing more sustainable machines together with our customers to working closely with our suppliers, we continue to improve the sustainability of both our products and our operations. While we are proud to have progressed from Silver to Gold and now Platinum, we see this as a milestone in our journey to build a sustainable future.”

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