As e-commerce becomes more relevant and vehicle types change drastically, the younger generation may never go to the tyre shop.

Do you remember when you bought your first new tyres? Middle-aged people used to change their car tyres every four to six years. Do you think the younger generation who has never been to a shop will ever visit a dealer and change their car tyres? Probably never, but they have been able to acquire precise knowledge and enough experience to buy the best tyres. What innovations are there in the tyre trade? What will inspire the younger generation to be more aware and better informed?

If the airless tyres are widespread and cover a certain part of the market, do we need to go to the shop? We probably won’t! Or what will be the responsibility of the people when driverless autonomous cars become more popular? Let’s just think. We should keep in mind that many shops have at the same time a traditional car care service outside of tyres for main parts of internal combustion engine cars. The typical large car dealership generates 55 percent of its sales from tyres and related services and 44 percent from automotive services. We know that the market penetration of electric cars is increasing enormously, and essential systems for vehicles with internal combustion engines are missing. Do you think electric vehicles with no fuel system, complicated transmission or exhaust system pose no challenge for dealers and suppliers?

The way tyre retailers do business is changing dramatically; showroom design and product presentation cannot compensate for the overwhelming influence of e-commerce.

OEM sourcing never makes the manufacturer the market leader. Retail, consumer, and commercial sales account for nearly 80 percent of the global market. In this sense, as essential suppliers, manufacturers have always pushed dealers to favour points of sale that strengthen customer loyalty. The lighting of the product and, the showroom, the colours of the decoration allow customising the customer’s look. Showroom smell is also important, which is why some dealers prefer to keep a limited number of tyres in the showroom. Well-ventilated showrooms lead to better sales practices.

Customer trust begins with impressions from the parking lot even before entering the store. Clear and clean windows are always an advantage when the customer starts walking through the store. Worker and employee uniforms as image-bearers keep them customer-oriented. Customers always judge the seriousness and strengthen their loyalty.

These tips for tyre dealers are applied in whole or in part in different ways. However, as technology advances, expectations change dramatically. Today, with a simple touch on a tablet or smartphone screen, a basic operation of a dealer or wholesaler is done in seconds via e-commerce software.

Tyre retailers need to combine and enrich their current business with the latest software tools for inventory organisation, store management and e-commerce tools running on mobile devices.

If you look at all sectors and not just the trade, some customers see e-commerce as a contactless shopping option rather cautiously. However, every day it becomes standard in many ways. It’s trendy and admirable because everyone discusses or talks about what they bought online and how it was suitable, cheaper or quick with happy results. Online shopping is not always successful, and there are always dissatisfied customers. Yes, e-commerce is tough but popular and promoted on all social media platforms.

The incremental growth rate of e-commerce will remain the fastest-growing sales channel; it is already called the ‘online to offline platform – O2O – as new online marketing. Nearly one billion shoppers used e-commerce platforms to find and buy the best in 2020. In the industry, 55 percent of buyers research product lines online before purchasing, and around 15 percent of them are already shopping online today. To the extent that online sales channels can schedule appointments at the fitting station, the rate of online sales will increase. This is also the reason why people no longer have to go to a shop to buy tyres.

Online and custom e-commerce programmes are now integrated and include cloud-based web applications running on mobile phones, tablets, PCs, laptops and smartphones through various interface modules used at points of sale, order management, inventory, accounting and marketing and in particular, the e-commerce needs of retailers and wholesalers of all sizes.

Mobile phones are mainly used for online shopping, with a total share of 73 percent. When open, 56 percent of shoppers are happy to visit a store to check quality and shop on the mobile app for the best price and options via ‘Check price and availability.

Current e-commerce techniques are rapidly being restructured by combining physical and digital experiences online.

Retailers should be prepared for possible and repeated store closures. Customer preferences are direct online platforms that offer physical environments and integrate physical and digital experiences through a new generation of digital channels.

The latest trend is ‘live streaming selling’, which is already popular and being adopted by well-known retail giants. Current online retail programmes allow online shoppers to see a visual preview of exactly how the tyres will look on their vehicle with a simple click. Live streaming takes the guesswork from customers who don’t have face-to-face interaction with the product. This is solved with a real person showing you the tyres and answering your questions in real-time. Personal and unique interactions with consumers via social channels are also proliferating.

‘Live streaming selling’ is presently the latest point before augmented reality is streaming on retail shops. These two latest trends explain why the younger generation does not have to go to dealer retail shops to buy a new set of tyres. 

The coming energy crisis and war-related economic sanctions, together with the e-commerce appetite of major tyre brands, bring new days of disaster for tyre retailers.

Dealers around the world are usually second or third generation and have seen many disaster days in the past. Sales volumes have yet to fully recover to the pre-Covid level; on the other hand, soaring energy and fuel prices and unstoppable inflation rates are leading to new economic uncertainties, less travel and lower demand.

Due to the invasion of Ukraine, a further decline in demand is expected. The inevitable impact of economic costs will further slowdown economies. Sanctions on transactions and logistics will bring uncertainty. Toughest days are coming in world trade. Therefore, European production and small retailer activities will be very vulnerable.

Major tyre manufacturers have launched online retail programmes to sell passenger tyres directly to consumers. The programme is explained in response to changing consumer behaviour and the ongoing transition to e-commerce. They say the programme is bringing in additional customers for dealers rather than bypassing them. Under this programme, tyres are provided by the manufacturer while dealers remain as e-commerce partners and are paid for tyre fitting labour. The other big brand’s “Rolling Programs” covers sales and assembly at the address is built in.

Given that the new economic difficulties are weighing on everyone, we understand that the tyre retailing will always be in a good mood, except for the dealers.

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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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Hankook Tire, the exclusive tyre supplier for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, played a central role in the season’s pivotal Japanese double-header. As the official race tyre for all competitors, the company’s iON Race compound was put to the test under extreme and shifting conditions during Rounds 14 and 15 of Season 12 at the 2026 TDK Tokyo E-Prix.

The weekend’s on-track action produced two dramatic winners. CUPRA KIRO’s Dan Ticktum snatched victory in Round 14 with a last-corner overtake on Jake Dennis, while Nick Cassidy completed the podium. The following day, Mahindra Racing’s Nyck de Vries claimed Round 15, finishing ahead of Cassidy and Dennis, who secured second and third respectively. The entire paddock also observed a period of remembrance for the late Cyril Blais.

The 2.575-kilometre temporary circuit, featuring 18 corners and situated around Tokyo Big Sight, hosted its first-ever night races, drastically altering track conditions from practice to competition. Unstable weather compounded the challenge, with a Sunday thunderstorm cancelling Free Practice 3 and leaving a damp, drying surface for Round 15 that demanded constant adaptation in tyre warm-up and strategy.

Throughout the weekend, Hankook’s iON Race tyre demonstrated reliability across the evolving grip levels and temperature swings. Following the Tokyo results, Dennis retains the championship lead with 146 points, narrowly ahead of Mitch Evans and Pascal Wehrlein. The title battle remains fiercely contested and will be resolved at the season-ending Hankook London E-Prix double-header on 15–16 August.

Manfred Sandbichler, Senior Director, Hankook Motorsport, said, “Bringing Formula E night racing to Tokyo for the first time made this a distinctive weekend and one of the more unusual tyre assignments of our season. The contrast between afternoon running and the 20:05 races shaped how teams prepared for both events, and the iON Race managed that transition and the changing weather conditions well, delivering consistent and predictable performance as the circuit cooled through the evening.”

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Tegeta Green Planet recently contributed to the ‘Circular Future’ green camp, an environmental education initiative organised by CENN and funded by the European Union. The camp, which hosted 23 teenagers from the Adjara and Kakheti regions, was designed to deepen ecological understanding, advocate for waste-free systems, and inspire long-term behavioural change among the next generation.

Throughout the week-long gathering, young attendees engaged with forward-thinking methods for minimising refuse, prolonging product life cycles and improving separation and recovery processes. Interactive workshops translated abstract circular economy theories into tangible daily actions, equipping participants with the know-how to conserve materials and shrink their personal environmental toll.

A noteworthy component of the programme occurred on 22 July, when a specialised seminar titled ‘Circular Economy: Waste Reduction and Recycling for Public Health’ was convened. Co-hosted by Tegeta Green Planet, the UNDP and the Waste Management Business Association, the seminar examined the intersection of ecological integrity and human well-being, illustrating how robust recycling systems directly benefit community health outcomes.

Closing the day’s agenda, Tegeta Green Planet’s Director, Shalva Akhvlediani, offered an in-depth look at the Extended Producer Responsibility model currently unfolding in Georgia. He traced the journey of end-of-life vehicle components – from used tyres and spent lubricants to depleted batteries – through collection, transport and reprocessing channels. Akhvlediani also highlighted his organisation’s network of over 350 domestic producers and importers, stressing that youth education remains a cornerstone of their mission. The floor was then opened for a lively exchange, where students posed probing questions, debated local environmental dilemmas and floated their own grassroots suggestions, reinforcing the message that responsible resource use begins with informed individual choices.

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