The Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) tech, despite its huge safety benefit, is still seen as a premium feature in most mass-market passenger vehicle segment and two-wheelers in India. Aurangabad-based component supplier Varroc’s Indirect TPMS with over 90 percent accuracy aims to make smart inroads. Tier 1 automotive supplier Varroc is looking to harness the data from GPS sensor and Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) sensors to provide tyre pressure information to two-wheelers and four-wheelers. 

The company is looking to make smart gains through Indirect Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (ITPMS), which rely on existing sensors in a vehicle to generate the information without compromising on quality and time-lag.

Fritz Abraham, Chief Technology Officer, Varroc, told Tyre Trends that “the direct TPMS uses pressure sensors at the air inlet of each tyre and communicates the information to the vehicle dashboard using wireless communication or through complex harness. This is not only expensive but also require heavy maintenance. If there exists a solution that can use the existing sensors and provide the information of tyre pressure, it is the ‘Indirect/Intelligent Tyre Pressure Monitoring System’. This system provides information of the tyre pressure without the need of a pressure sensor.”

The radius of the tyre changes with respect to air pressure and hence the linear displacement per one rotation of tyre changes with respect to the pressure. The linear displacement can also be measured using GPS by calculating the rotational speed of the wheel and radius of the tyre.

The ITPMS solution simply put is a software stack that can be integrated with Varroc’s cluster and telematics solutions. The machine learning (ML) software analyses various parameters set by the company to provide tyre pressure reading to the user. Since it does not require any additional TPMS hardware, it is substantially cheaper compared to solutions using battery-based sensors.

“The ITPMS exploits the deviations in linear displacement with respect to wheel rotations and predicts the tyre pressure. This relation is not straightforward; it is a complex method to derive the mathematical equations. Hence, ML techniques are used to quantify the relation,” said Abraham.

The ITPMS primarily requires a GPS sensor (telematics data) and ABS, which is integrated during the vehicle assembly level. Varroc states that OEMs will be able to provide access to the tyre pressure on any HMI (Human-Machine Interface) device like the vehicle instrument cluster, vehicle telematics and connectivity app, among others, to easily provide the information of the tyre pressure.

Varroc had initially initiated the development of the ITPMS specifically for two-wheeler applications. The company mounted a GPS device on a two-wheeler equipped with ABS. It collected the data during vehicle operation across varied scenarios, including differing tyre pressures, diverse road conditions and various weather conditions such as sunny and rainy days.

“This data was then post-processed and analysed using data science and machine learning techniques to develop a model that accurately captures the relationship between tyre pressure, wheel speed and the speed as measured by the GPS. This model forms the foundation for understanding and monitoring tyre pressure indirectly using available data points from the vehicle’s operation,” he shared.

Demand scenario for TPMS

It is no secret that while TPMS technology has been around for more than a couple of decades, its adoption in India still remains a very small percentage. In India, most TPMS solutions available in the OE as well as aftermarket are Direct TPMS.

They are said to have their own set of challenges, such as its reliability due to varying temperatures, environmental and climatic conditions. Then there are the challenges associated with wireless communications. Sensor battery issues and cost too are deterrent factors.

On the other hand, the small percentage of vehicles that utilise existing ITPMS categorise the tyre pressure in broad classifications (low pressure or high pressure). They do not provide precise measurements, which limits their adoption and effectiveness in ensuring optimal tyre performance and safety.

However, Varroc already has developed the ITPMS to provide basic information (low or high); now it is in advanced stages of development to provide precise tyre pressure information with over 90 percent accuracy.  While the company has been tight-lipped about the introduction of the solution in the market, Varroc is said to be in discussions with its clients to bring it to the market soon.

Abraham further shared, “The primary reason for the limited adoption of TPMS is cost. Premium segment vehicles often include TPMS as a standard feature due to the higher price range, making it more feasible to absorb the associated costs. In contrast, aftermarket TPMS solutions are generally expensive and demand ongoing maintenance, which can be a deterrent for many vehicle owners.  Additionally, there is a general lack of awareness regarding the importance of maintaining optimal tyre pressure. Many drivers may not fully understand the safety, performance and fuel efficiency benefits of consistent tyre pressure monitoring, further impacting the adoption rate of TPMS systems.”

As per the company, the ITPMS comes with self-learning feature and is designed with 80 percent cold tyre pressure threshold and tested per AIS 154. The threshold can be further optimised and customised as per the requirement of the customer.

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Bridgestone has announced a European leadership appointment aimed at sharpening customer focus, streamlining engagement across product groups and supporting its ongoing growth plans. Stefano Sanchini will become President, Europe Sales, effective 1 October 2026, leading the company’s European sales organisation across both Consumer and Commercial segments.

The expanded role unites sales activities spanning passenger car, truck and bus, agriculture, off-the-road, motorcycle and original equipment. Sanchini brings over 20 years of international leadership experience in the automotive and tyre sectors, with a career covering Europe, Middle East, Africa and India. Since joining Bridgestone in 2017, he has held several senior positions, including Managing Director of Bridgestone India.

Most recently, as Vice President for Consumer Replacement in Europe, he helped strengthen customer engagement, commercial performance, profitability and regional market growth. Bridgestone said the appointment underscores its commitment to customer relationships, commercial execution and simpler cross-market operations. Sanchini will pursue sustainable growth while developing capabilities and partnerships supporting the company’s long-term European strategy.

Mete Ekin, Group President EMEA, said, "Our customers increasingly operate across multiple product categories and expect a consistent experience wherever they engage with Bridgestone. By bringing our sales activities together under one European structure, we are creating a simpler, more connected organisation that will help us respond faster, collaborate more effectively and continue building strong partnerships with our customers."

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Yokohama Europe has appointed Giuseppe La Iacona to a series of senior leadership roles as the company seeks to strengthen its position across the region.

La Iacona joined the business on September 15 and will assume responsibility for supporting growth and organisational consolidation in the European market.

He brings more than 20 years’ experience in the tyre industry, spanning sales, marketing, business development, country management and international customer relations. He has held senior roles across several European markets, developing experience in managing local dynamics while driving cross-border business expansion.

Reporting to Takashi Maki, La Iacona has been appointed General Manager for southern Europe, where he will lead a newly created regional cluster covering Italy and France. The role is intended to improve coordination and operational synergies between the two markets.

He will also serve as Chief Executive of Yokohama Italia, with overall responsibility for the Italian subsidiary, alongside taking on the role of head of international customers. In that capacity, he will oversee the management and development of clients operating across multiple European markets, with the aim of creating a more consistent commercial approach and strengthening collaboration between subsidiaries.

His remit includes improving organisational alignment and fostering closer cooperation between markets and customers as the company expands its European operations.

“I am very pleased to welcome Giuseppe to YOKOHAMA Europe at an important stage in our development,” said Maki. “His extensive international experience, deep knowledge of the tyre industry and ability to work across different markets will be valuable assets as we continue to strengthen our European organisation and pursue sustainable growth.”

La Iacona said: “I am excited to join YOKOHAMA Europe and to contribute to the company’s next phase of growth in Europe. YOKOHAMA has a strong heritage, a distinctive brand and significant opportunities across the European market. I look forward to working closely with our teams, customers and partners across countries to further develop the business and strengthen our presence in the region.”

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Özka Tyre, a prominent Turkish manufacturer of tyres for agricultural and construction equipment, has reinforced its leadership team as part of a broader push towards global expansion and technological modernisation in production. The company has appointed Mehmet Yüksel as its new Chief Operating Officer, bringing aboard an executive with extensive senior experience from Goodyear’s Luxembourg-based international organisation.

In his new role, Yüksel will oversee functions central to Özka’s production and operational strength. His responsibilities encompass production, quality, research and development, planning, investment and projects, electricity and maintenance, occupational safety and quality management systems, positioning him to steer critical areas of the company’s industrial performance.

Driven by investments and a focus on advancing its manufacturing strength, Özka continuously monitors shifts in the worldwide tire sector, particularly technological progress in Europe, and uses those insights to shape its future production infrastructure. As new investments prepare to elevate its output capacity and technical systems, the firm is simultaneously bolstering its organisational framework to sustain that transformation.

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Cabot Corporation has named Steve Delahunt, currently Vice President and Corporate Treasurer, to assume the Chief Financial Officer role on an interim basis starting 1 October 2026. He will hold the position while Cabot continues searching for a permanent finance chief.

The interim appointment follows the previously disclosed leadership transition in which Erica McLaughlin, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Head of Corporate Strategy, will become President and Chief Executive Officer on the same date. McLaughlin succeeds Sean Keohane and will relinquish her CFO duties at that time.

Delahunt brings over three decades of finance and treasury experience, including nine years leading Cabot's investor relations function through January 2026. As Corporate Treasurer, he oversees global treasury operations, capital markets strategy, liquidity management, banking relationships, risk management and pension investments. He has been central to Cabot's capital allocation, financing, investor engagement and strategic growth initiatives, as well as strengthened shareholder relations during his investor relations tenure.

McLaughlin said, “Steve is a highly respected finance leader with deep knowledge of our business, strong relationships across our global organisation and a proven track record of disciplined financial leadership. As we continue executing our strategy and building on our strong financial position, Steve’s experience, judgment and understanding of our business make him exceptionally well suited to lead our finance organisation while the Company conducts its search for our next Chief Financial Officer.”

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