MRF continues to lead the tyre industry with a strong focus on quality, innovation and customer satisfaction. With a presence in over 70 countries, MRF’s dominance spans across categories including commercial vehicles, two-wheelers, electric vehicles (EVs) and aircraft tyres. As India’s economic growth drives increased demand for commercial vehicles, MRF capitalises on this shift towards larger trucks and the expanding EV market. Additionally, the company’s technological prowess is evident in its supply of defence aircraft tyres. Despite challenges like rising rubber prices, MRF’s commitment to development and sustainable practices ensures its continued growth and global expansion.

MRF Vice Chairman and Managing Director Arun Mammen opined that India’s economic prosperity is leading to a demand for original equipment, which in turn is driving the volumes for commercial vehicle tyres upwards. Speaking to Tyre Trends on the sidelines of the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, Mammen noted, “The commercial vehicle tyre segment is primarily driven by OEM demand. India’s economic performance is increasing commercial activity, leading to a higher number of trucks being sold. A notable trend in this segment is the shift towards larger trucks. This shift is primarily due to improved road infrastructure. Additionally, these trends see tyre volumes grow even in the replacement market.”

He added, “Government policies over the last 5–6 years have also played a crucial role in shaping the industry. The transition from BS4 to BS6, changes in axle load norms and various other regulatory developments have influenced tyre design and performance requirements. We have remained ahead of these changes, ensuring our products fully comply with government guidelines.”

The company theme for this year at the expo was ‘Muscle in Motion’, which highlighted MRF’s leadership, technology, innovation and sustainability.

MRF has been a leader in the tyre industry for 37 years, covering all categories. The executive noted that while competition was close in some segments, the company continued to have a leading position in tractors, trucks, light commercial vehicles, commercial vehicles and three-wheeler tyre segments. Its market leadership was further reinforced by its financial performance in FY 2023-24 with turnover of over INR 250 billion.

The company is experiencing double-digit growth, particularly in the first half of CY25, while most of the industry had struggled to achieve similar momentum. “We have consistently grown across all tyre categories including infrastructure, farm, two-wheeler and truck tyres,” revealed Mammen.

“Our ability to maintain market dominance for nearly four decades is rooted in a simple yet powerful philosophy, which is quality, customer focus and continuous innovation. We prioritise understanding customer needs and delivering better-thanexpected performance. This relentless pursuit of excellence ensures that we provide the best value for money,” said the official.

EXPANDING PORTFOLIO

A recent media report mentioned that MRF is seeing significant progress in the EV tyre segment, covering both OEM supply and the replacement market.

Exuding confidence for its EV tyre portfolio with the evolving automobile space in India, Mammen noted, “We are actively innovating in this space and a great example is our new EV tyre, recently supplied to Mahindra for its latest EV launch. This tyre incorporates a unique foam technology that significantly reduces noise, offering a quieter and more comfortable driving experience. With the growing adoption of electric vehicles, such advancements are crucial as EVs inherently produce less mechanical noise, making tyre noise reduction even more essential.”

He added, “Our tyres are fitted on several OEM vehicles including that of Maruti, Toyota, Honda and Bajaj models. The EV space will continue to grow as charging infrastructure improves, making electric mobility more convenient for consumers. While passenger vehicles and two-wheelers are currently leading the shift, we expect commercial vehicles to gradually follow suit as fleet operators gain confidence in battery technology and cost efficiency.”

Moreover, the company exclusively supplies tyres for Indian defence aircraft and helicopters with plans to expand the portfolio. Commenting on the same lines, Mammen revealed, “MRF supplies aircraft tyres to India’s defence forces including the Air Force and Navy. The majority of defence aircraft flying today are equipped with MRF tyres. The Indian Government does not import aircraft tyres unless we do not manufacture a specific type, further reinforcing our dominant position in this critical sector.”

MARKET TALK

MRF set up a new plant in Gujarat recently and ongoing expansions across multiple facilities are in process. Mammen noted that factories were continually being upgraded to meet evolving market demands. The company’s export business contributes between 10 to 12 percent in its total revenue, said Mammen.

The company currently exports to 70 countries worldwide. When asked about exploring new regions, the executive highlighted, “We are always looking for new opportunities for growth. A key example is our dominance in rally racing. We have been European champions for two years, beating multinational competitors, and in Asia Pacific, we have been rally champions for nine consecutive years. These victories highlight our engineering excellence and performance capabilities, opening doors to further expand our brand presence.”

Another trend within the Indian tyre market is Tyre-as-a-Service. Commenting on whether MRF plans to foray in the segment, he said, “Tyre-as- a-Service currently accounts for less than a single-digit percentage of the overall business. The limited adoption is due to challenging operating conditions. While some companies initially ventured into this space, many later exited due to difficulties in scaling the model. We continue to monitor this segment and will assess its potential for expansion in the future.”

TALKING ROADBLOCKS

The official identified the rising prices of rubber as one of the largest problems facing the tyre industry. Mammen explained that raw material costs account for about 70 percent of tyre production costs. As crude oil prices increase, the cost of production also rises, which is further impacted by fluctuations in the rupeedollar exchange rate.

“The price of natural rubber has remained high for a while and this is a challenge for many tyre manufacturers including us. India does not produce enough natural rubber to meet domestic demand, so we rely on imports to supplement local supply. This dependency on imports means we are exposed to fluctuations in global rubber prices, which can impact our overall cost structure,” said Mammen.

Despite the challenges, the company’s near-term research and development focus will involve both recycling raw materials and exploring green energy solutions such as energy and water recycling while also controlling wastage.

The company had made a Capex of over INR 21 billion in the previous financial year and nearly INR 7 billion in the first six months of the current financial year. These investments are directed towards areas with growth opportunities in truck, passenger and two-wheeler markets.

When asked about retail expansion, Mammen noted that there is always room for growth, both in expanding the dealer and retailer network and in online retail.

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The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has announced that Mark Stewart has stepped down from his roles as Chief Executive Officer and President of the company and has also left its board of directors, effective immediately. In his place, the company has installed board member Roger Wood as interim Chief Executive Officer, with Wood leading the tyre maker while a leading executive search firm helps the board identify a permanent successor.

Wood joined the board in 2023 and has spent over 30 years leading businesses in the automotive and manufacturing sectors. He was previously Co-Chief Executive of Tenneco Inc., which designs, manufactures and distributes clean air, powertrain and ride performance systems worldwide for vehicle manufacturers and the aftermarket, and he holds board seats at PHINIA Incorporated and Brunswick Corporation. As part of taking the interim role, he has given up chairing the board's human capital and compensation committee.

Earlier this year, the board set up a special committee to scrutinise the company's businesses and operations, seeking ways to lift performance and deliver more value to shareholders. Directors and management are pursuing that effort through a wide-ranging assessment of strategic and operational options, among them refining the business mix and footprint, sharpening efficiency and funding new products and capabilities that underpin long-term growth. No further updates are planned unless and until the board concludes that more disclosure is warranted or required.

In a separate announcement dated 27 October 2026, Goodyear said Jerome Rouquet will become Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer on 1 December 2026. Rouquet, now Chief Financial Officer at Visteon Corporation and formerly a senior finance executive at Tenneco and Federal-Mogul, takes over from interim Chief Financial Officer Scott Deakin, who will help ensure a smooth handover.

Joe Hinrichs, Goodyear Board of Directors Chair, said, "Goodyear has made meaningful progress in becoming a more efficient and focused company, and the board believes this is the right moment to transition leadership to accelerate that progress and capture additional opportunity. Roger brings extensive automotive and industrial CEO experience, deep operational expertise and strong relationships across OEMs and aftermarket customers. He knows Goodyear, understands the opportunities ahead and has the board's full confidence to bring heightened focus and urgency to execution while we conduct a thorough search for a permanent CEO. We thank Mark for his contributions to Goodyear.

"The board formed a special committee earlier this year to conduct a rigorous strategic review of the company to help strengthen performance and create shareholder value. The board, together with the Enterprise Transformation Office, is evaluating a broad range of strategic and operational opportunities, and we are committed to taking the right actions to position Goodyear for stronger performance and long-term success. We look forward to providing an update as this work progresses."

Wood said, "Goodyear has iconic brands, talented people and significant opportunities to improve performance and deliver long-term value. As I step into this role, my immediate priorities are to support our associates and customers, sharpen execution and build on the work already underway to advance Goodyear's transformation. I look forward to working closely with the board, leadership team and the Enterprise Transformation Office to advance the strategic review and translate that work into actions that strengthen performance and position Goodyear for long-term success."

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Michelin Group has appointed Terry Redmile as Chief People Officer for Michelin North America, Inc. In his new capacity, he will direct employee-focused operations throughout the North America Region, encompassing the recruitment, growth and retention of leading talent. His appointment places a seasoned internal leader at the helm of the company's people strategy.

A veteran of over three decades with Michelin, Redmile started as a co-op student at the firm's Greenville research and development centre. His tenure has spanned roles such as quality engineer and site director at the Fort Wayne, Indiana, manufacturing plant, culminating most recently in his position as senior vice president of manufacturing operations for the Americas. He also holds an MBA from Clemson University and a mechanical engineering bachelor's degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Matthew Cabe, President and CEO, Michelin North America, Inc., said, “Terry understands our business, but more importantly, he understands our employees. His foundation in manufacturing and engineering gives him a firsthand understanding of where so many of our employees work every day and what they need to succeed. That perspective will be invaluable in this role.”

Redmile said, “The strength of Michelin has always been rooted in the strength of our talented teams. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside employees across our operations, and they are at the heart of what drives us forward. I want to build on that foundation and help our people continue to learn, innovate and shape what comes next for our industry.”

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Apollo Tyres, one of the leading manufacturers of tyres in India, has reported its financial results for Q2 FY2027 and H1 FY2027, alongside announcing the appointment of Ravi Kumar Shingari as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective 4 November 2026.

In his new role, Shingari will be reporting directly to Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Neeraj Kanwar. He joined Apollo Tyres in 2018 as Group Head of Finance and subsequently managed functions across budgeting, accounts, investor relations, and legal affairs, following a 16-year tenure at KPMG as Partner in Tax and Regulatory.

The company announced that its consolidated revenue from operations for Q2 grew by 17 percent YoY to INR 79.68 billion, compared to INR 68.31 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.

Operating profit for the quarter stood at INR 8.55 billion, while net profit grew 13 percent to INR 2.92 billion, as against INR 2.58 billion in Q2 FY26. The net profit figures include an estimated pre-tax restructuring cost of INR 260 million recorded as an exceptional item.

For H1 FY2027, revenue reached INR 153.66 billion, up 15 percent from INR 133.92 billion in H1 FY26, with operating profit closing at INR 17.23 billion and net profit at INR 6.41 billion.

Onkar Kanwar, Chairman, Apollo Tyres, said, "Growth across categories in India has been supported by our sustained rural expansion efforts and strategic association with cricket. In addition, the launch of new products in the commercial vehicle segment in India has strengthened performance during the past quarter. At the same time, geopolitical tensions in West Asia remain a headwind, resulting in elevated input costs and supply chain disruptions."

Also read: Apollo Tyres Appoints Abhineet Kothari As India Business Head For Vredestein

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From advanced materials and compound development to intelligent production, testing, simulation and regulation, the global tyre technology community returns to Hannover on 2, 3 and 4 March 2027.

Tire Technology Expo will open its 27th edition next March across Halls 19, 20 and 21 at Deutsche Messe, Hannover. For tyre manufacturers, vehicle OEMs, material developers, production engineers, technical directors, researchers and regulatory specialists, it is one of the few dates in the calendar when the complete tyre development and manufacturing chain can be examined in one place.

That breadth is increasingly important. Tyre performance is being reshaped by changing vehicle architectures, tighter sustainability targets, evolving regulation and the growing role of data in development and production. Progress rarely depends on one isolated technology. It requires decisions across materials, design, process engineering, quality control, testing and the factory systems that connect them.

THE FULL PRODUCTION CHAIN, IN ONE VISIT

Across the three halls, the 2027 exhibition will present more than 240 technology and materials solutions. Visitors will be able to investigate raw and reinforcing materials, speciality chemicals, process oils and compound development alongside mixing, extrusion, calendering, tyre building, mould, curing and cutting technologies.

The show floor will also cover factory automation, handling and logistics, in-line measurement, X-ray inspection, uniformity and balancing, RFID, smart tyres, simulation software, lifecycle monitoring, recycling and homologation. It is a practical opportunity to assess how individual technologies perform within the wider production environment rather than viewing each stage in isolation.

A plant manager can move from dosing and mixing to material handling and process control. An R&D engineer can discuss compound properties, test methods, modelling and production feasibility during the same visit. Vehicle OEM teams can meet specialists in tyre behaviour, data acquisition, simulation and connected-tyre applications, as well as the companies responsible for turning those developments into repeatable industrial processes.

The 2027 exhibitor list is already bringing together major machinery, automation, materials and testing organisations. Confirmed names include VMI Group, HF Group, TROESTER, KraussMaffei Extrusion, Rockwell Automation and Siemens, together with ARLANXEO, Asahi Kasei, Evonik and Henkel. Testing and development expertise is represented by organisations including MTS and Applus IDIADA.

THE CONFERENCE: SUBSTANCE BEHIND THE INDUSTRY’S BIGGEST QUESTIONS

The 2027 speaker lineup is going to be released in the very near future, with the direction of the three-day Tire Technology Expo Conference already clear. The presentations will highlight the scientific, technical, business and regulatory contributions, with an emphasis on genuine insight, practical experience and application-led case studies rather than corporate presentations.

The highlighted subjects reflect the decisions now facing tyre manufacturers and their customers. They include sustainable manufacturing, circularity, retreading and material reuse; advanced and alternative materials; requirements linked to the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, deforestation rules and homologation; tyre and road wear particles and the implications of Euro 7, including a specific focus on C3 tyres; virtual tyre development, testing, modelling and simulation; intelligent connected tyres, sensors and data applications; AI in R&D and manufacturing; supply-chain resilience; and tyre integration with electric, autonomous and software-defined vehicles.

The programme is being shaped with input from an advisory group that includes senior expertise from Continental, Michelin, Tyres Europe and the University of Twente. The conference is set to bring together more than 170 expert speakers and over 100 hours of presentations and panel discussions across three days, creating a concentrated forum for tyre makers, vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, regulators, research institutions and academia.

For delegates, its value goes beyond individual presentations. The format allows the technical and regulatory implications of a development to be tested against different viewpoints, often while the relevant materials, equipment and measurement technologies can be examined a few steps away on the exhibition floor. Delegate passes also include hospitality, private networking, access to the awards and post-event access to presentation materials. The programme and delegate registration will be released in due course.

DEVELOP SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE THROUGH THE SHORT COURSES

Four specialist short courses will run during the event week, with the full 2027 programme and booking details to be announced. The established subject range spans tyre mechanics, mathematical modelling, regulations and reinforcement, with formats ranging from one to four days.

These courses are intended for professionals who need more depth than a conference session can provide. Previous programmes have taken participants through subjects such as tyre structure and compounding, grip and durability, finite-element and real-time modelling, tyre-road interaction, EU and UNECE regulatory frameworks, type approval, tyre labelling, reinforcement properties and fatigue testing.

For engineers, scientists, technical managers and regulatory teams, the courses provide a concentrated opportunity to strengthen knowledge that can be applied directly to current development and manufacturing work. They also offer a valuable common technical foundation for colleagues moving into new responsibilities or working across different parts of the tyre and vehicle industries.

RECOGNISING THE WORK MOVING THE INDUSTRY FORWARD

The Tire Technology International Awards for Innovation and Excellence will again place the industry’s strongest recent work under the spotlight. The 2027 awards cover 11 categories across environmental achievement, chemicals and compounding, materials, R&D, manufacturing, supplier performance, tyre concepts and finished products. Access to the ceremony is included with a visitor pass and takes place right after the networking drinks, giving the wider expo audience an opportunity to see which developments are setting the benchmark for the sector and to catch up with new and existing connections.

PLAN THE CONVERSATIONS THAT MATTER

Tire Technology Expo is built around practical progress. It is where a new material can be assessed against production requirements, a modelling approach can be discussed with vehicle and tyre specialists and an equipment investment can be examined with the engineers who will support its implementation.

The exhibition is open to tyre industry and related professionals, and visitor registration is now available. Conference delegate registration and short-course booking will open separately as the 2027 programmes are confirmed.

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