Italian multinational tyre manufacturer Pirelli has released an advisory on winter tyres to help its customers sail through the cold season worry-free. The advisory takes into account every aspect of the challenging cold season and presents some useful suggestions on choosing the perfect tyres for the winter season, as well as the specific regulations governing winter tyres in different European countries. The company also briefs on its latest winter tyres, the P Zero Winter 2 and the Cinturato All Season SF3, which will face their first winter on the road.

Which tyres to choose?

The ideal choice for cold weather is always winter tyres, which are made with specific compounds to offer optimal grip and increased traction on both dry and wet surfaces, reducing the risk of aquaplaning.

On both winter and all-season tyres, it’s important to check the markings on the sidewall. The M+S symbol denotes a tyre that has been specially designed for tricky surfaces, but even higher levels of safety are indicated by the 3PMSF logo (representing a mountain with three peaks, along with a snowflake). This logo means that the tyre has passed all the tests associated with the most challenging conditions in winter.

So the level of safety is clearly illustrated by the markings, but the choice to fit winter or all season tyres comes down to a number of different factors. Above all, it depends on how the car is used. Intense use with higher mileage (in excess of 25,000 kilometres a year) as well as more powerful and bigger cars, or frequent drives in mountainous areas, call for a full winter tyre. Predominantly urban driving and smaller vehicles (from city cars to compact SUVs) allow for the use of all season tyres.

Swapping between summer and winter tyres is the best choice for the majority of drivers, but the other option is an all-season tyre, such as the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3. This meets the needs of more urban drivers perfectly, as many comparative tests recently won by the new Pirelli have already proven.

Driving advice for winter

As well as having the right tyre, it’s important to have the right driving style. Whenever it’s dry in winter, the same approach can generally be taken as in summer, but it’s important to remember that there’s less grip and so it’s advisable to maintain a bigger margin of safety.

Wet or snowy conditions are a different proposition, where the same sort of driving style should be adopted as for fuel-saving. In other words, no harsh acceleration, which can cause wheelspin on snow, while braking should be kept to a minimum, with engine braking preferred instead. Maintaining a healthy stopping instance is also more important than ever, to avoid running into the car in front. When it comes to parking, diagonally is best if possible: especially when snowploughs dump snow by the side of the road.

Drivers of electric cars need to pay particular attention: battery life tends to diminish in winter, which means that it’s better to rely on tyres with low rolling resistance. This is a fundamental characteristic to guarantee a longer range, which Pirelli caters for thanks to its bespoke ‘Elect’ technology. The very first winter car tyre to score ‘A’ for rolling resistance has been recently launched by Pirelli: the P Zero Winter 2 for the BMW i7.

European legislation around winter tyres

Those travelling around Europe need to know about individual regulations that apply to each country. Both Germany and France are changing their rules about winter tyres this year, for example.

France: From 1 November to 31 March, winter tyres with M+S and 3PMSF markings are compulsory in mountainous regions and areas that are specifically signposted.

Germany: The use of winter tyres, which are identified with M+S and 3PMSF symbols in Germany, are compulsory for wintry roads and conditions.

Austria: For roads in winter conditions, M+S marked tyres with a tread depth of at least four millimetres on all four wheels are compulsory from 1 November to 15 April.

Switzerland: Winter tyres are not mandatory, but anyone who causes traffic congestion by driving on summer tyres in winter conditions, or anyone who has tyres judged to be defective, can be punished.

Croatia: In winter conditions from 15 November to 15 April, it’s compulsory to fit winter tyres with M+S markings and a tread depth of at least four millimetres on all the wheels.

Greece: From 15 October to 15 March, it’s obligatory to fit M+S and 3PMSF winter tyres on all four wheels on roads that are covered in snow, specifically signposted, or in the case of specific public announcements.

Spain: M+S tyres have to be used at least on the driven wheels if it snows, and chains can be used in indicated areas, up to a maximum speed of 50 kmph, if there is snow on the road.

Sweden: All vehicles must use M+S and 3PMSF winter tyres with a minimum tread depth of three millimetres from 1 December to 31 March in winter conditions.

Italy: It’s compulsory to carry chains in the car or fit winter tyres with M+S markings from 15 November to 15 April. The rule applies outside of urban areas, but it can also be requested within them by local authorities.

Pirelli’s winter tyres

Pirelli has developed a comprehensive range of winter and all-season tyres to respond to all requirements and driving conditions. Two new Pirelli winter and all-season products make their debut for this winter in 2024: the P Zero Winter 2 and Cinturato All Season SF3, both of which have obtained winning results in comparative tests conducted by specialist publications. Those looking for maximum performance and safety in winter conditions can rely on the P Zero Winter 2, which took the top score (A) on the European tyre label for wet grip, with excellent braking on snow.

The latest all-season tyre from Pirelli is the Cinturato All Season SF3, which offers year-round control as shown by the Performance Mark: a seal of excellence issued by certifying body TÜV SÜD. The new Pirelli all season tyre features the 3PMSF marking, which guarantees safe driving even on icy and snowy surfaces. These continuous safety and performance improvements – even in the most extreme winter conditions – stems from the unstinting work of Pirelli’s engineers, who use the most advanced virtual modelling techniques as well as artificial intelligence and driving simulators.

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Kumho Tire USA has appointed Carolina Wagner as its new Vice President of Marketing, a move aimed at reinforcing the company’s brand strength and competitive edge across the passenger, light truck and commercial vehicle segments in United States.

Wagner will take charge of all marketing operations for Kumho Tire USA, including brand strategy, product marketing, digital outreach, demand generation and sales support. Working alongside executive leadership and the sales team, she will focus on aligning marketing efforts with the firm’s ambitious growth objectives in the American market.

With over 25 years of executive experience at global tyre companies such as Continental Tires the Americas and Goodyear, Wagner has led growth and brand initiatives across the tyre, mobility, SaaS and material handling sectors. Her career began in Rio de Janeiro, advancing through leadership roles in Brazil and Latin America before moving to United States. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Universidade Santa Úrsula and an MBA from IBMEC Rio de Janeiro.

Ed Cho, CEO, Kumho Tire USA, said, "Carolina's arrival marks a pivotal moment for Kumho Tire. Her deep expertise in the tyre industry, combined with her proven ability to build integrated marketing strategies that deliver measurable results, makes her the ideal leader to drive our next chapter. We are confident that she will be a key force in taking Kumho Tire's brand positioning to the next level."

Wagner said, "I am incredibly excited to join Kumho Tire and work alongside the executive leadership team to continue elevating the brand in the US. The company has tremendous growth potential with high-quality new products on the roadmap that deliver on its performance without compromise mantra. I'm excited to execute integrated, data-driven strategies to increase brand awareness and ultimately fuel growth."

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Mahatma Gandhi University’s School of Polymer Science and Technology has announced the opening of admissions for its Executive M.Tech programme in Polymer Engineering and Nanotechnology for the 2026–27 academic year, targeting working professionals and industry-sponsored candidates seeking advanced technical specialisation.

The programme will be conducted at the Convergence Academia Complex, located on the second floor of the university campus at Priyadarshini Hills, P.O. Kottayam, Kerala. The university, which is graded as a Category 1 autonomous institution by the University Grants Commission (UGC), is positioning the course as an industry-aligned offering designed to bridge academic research and industrial application.

Admissions are currently open, with the last date for submitting applications set as 30 April  2026.

Designed For Industry Professionals

The Executive M.Tech programme is tailored specifically for working professionals, reflecting the growing demand for flexible, advanced education pathways within technical industries. Sponsored candidates from organisations, as well as direct applicants with relevant professional experience, are eligible to apply.

Candidates must hold either an M.Sc. or B.Tech degree in relevant science or engineering disciplines. While preference will be given to employed candidates, others may also be considered subject to seat availability.

The programme offers a total of 24 seats, including 20 allocated for Indian candidates and four reserved for international applicants, signalling the university’s intent to attract a diverse cohort.

Interdisciplinary Focus

The curriculum emphasises an interdisciplinary approach, combining Polymer Engineering, Nanotechnology and Materials Science. This structure reflects broader shifts within manufacturing and materials industries, where cross-domain expertise is increasingly critical.

Courses will be delivered by a mix of academic faculty and industry practitioners, ensuring exposure to both theoretical frameworks and real-world applications. The university highlights that this dual approach is aimed at equipping professionals with practical insights alongside advanced technical knowledge.

Programme Highlights

Among the key features of the course are its focus on industry relevance and its alignment with evolving technological demands. The programme is structured to support professionals in enhancing their capabilities without stepping away from their careers.

The university notes that the course is particularly suited to those looking to deepen expertise in polymer science and nanotechnology while remaining engaged in industrial roles.

Application Process

Applications for the programme must be submitted online via the official application form:
https://forms.gle/yfTeeevAVLzmuK8P9

Prospective candidates can access additional information through the School of Polymer Science and Technology’s website at spst.mgu.ac.in.

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TVS Srichakra Limited has assumed contractual rights and obligations from its US subsidiary under an agreement with Bristol Motor Speedway LLC.

The Madurai-based company said in a regulatory filing that it executed an assignment and assumption agreement on April 10, 2026 with Super Grip Corporation and Bristol Motor Speedway. Under the arrangement, TVS Srichakra takes over all rights, duties and obligations previously held by Super Grip Corporation under a suite licence agreement dated February 16, 2024 and a sponsorship agreement dated April 5, 2024.

The company will pay USD 1,033,250 in instalments over the remaining term of the agreements. No consideration is payable to Super Grip Corporation for the transfer.

The original terms of the licence and sponsorship agreements remain unchanged, and the arrangements are set to run until December 31, 2028.

TVS Srichakra said the move was intended to enhance the visibility and reach of its brands in global markets.

Super Grip Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of the company, while Bristol Motor Speedway is an unrelated third party. The assignment between TVS Srichakra and Super Grip Corporation qualifies as a related party transaction and has been conducted on an arm’s length basis.

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Autopromotec has officially confirmed a new management structure, appointing Dr Enrica Lazzarini as Chief Executive Officer and Dr Guido Gambassi as Chief Strategy Officer. The decision, confirmed by the Board of Directors, reflects a strategy focused on leadership continuity by promoting experienced and respected internal figures already well established in the automotive equipment and aftermarket sector. The new leadership roles take effect from May 2026.

Under the new organizational chart, Dr Lazzarini was named Secretary General of AICA, the Italian Association of Automotive Equipment Manufacturers, on 5 March 2026. AICA jointly owns the Autopromotec trade fair with AIRP, the Italian Association of Tyre Retreaders. The next edition of the biennial exhibition is scheduled to take place from 26 to 29 May 2027, at the BolognaFiere exhibition centre.

Dr Gambassi now adds the CSO role to his existing responsibilities, which include serving as CEO of EditProm, the publisher of Pneurama magazine, as well as Secretary General of both AIRP and Federpneus, the National Association of Specialist Tyre Retailers. Federpneus operates its training workshop at the Casa Autopromotec headquarters.

The outgoing CEO and former AICA Secretary General, Renzo Servadei, who stepped down for personal reasons, has fully endorsed the new appointments. He has pledged his support for the upcoming 2027 edition to ensure strategic and organisational continuity across all entities responsible for the fair.

Dr Lazzarini said, “I welcome this new challenge with great enthusiasm and am honoured by the trust placed in me. Coordinating the next edition of Autopromotec will undoubtedly be stimulating, and I am certain that with the support of this team, which has been well-established for years, we will organise an event that lives up to the expectations of our exhibitors and visitors. The automotive sector is today increasingly characterised by structural and extremely dynamic innovations, which require the ability to react and analyse. Changes are happening so rapidly that it is now essential and fundamental to see and experience all the innovations first-hand, an opportunity that arises exclusively at events such as those made possible by Autopromotec.”

Dr Gambassi said, “What makes Autopromotec the most specialised trade fair in the sector is its ability to integrate innovations and market trends, thanks to its unique nature. Having a membership base and hosting so many organisations embedded within the fabric of the sector within its premises ensures that Autopromotec continues to be an international benchmark.”

Servadei said, “It is with great emotion and deep gratitude that I step down from both roles I have held to date, confident that the new management team at Autopromotec will carry forward the traditions that make our event unique whilst incorporating all the innovations the future holds. I am delighted that internal staff have been promoted, bringing with them their wealth of connections and relationships, which are our greatest asset: the ability to identify, understand and develop the needs of our exhibitors.”

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