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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A Legacy of Trust: Abu Dhabi Tyre Company Since 1969.

For over fifty years, Abu Dhabi Tyre Company has been a key player in the UAE's tyre industry. Since 1969, the company has served as the authorised distributor for the globally recognised FIRESTONE brand, specialising in high-quality Truck and Bus Radial (TBR) Tyres.

The company’s slogan—"Whatever you drive, drive a Firestone"—underscores its commitment to quality and service, as well as its focus on the TBR market, where durability is a paramount concern.

New Leadership to Steer Future Growth

Abu Dhabi Tyre Company marks a significant milestone by appointing Dr Amr Anwar as General Manager, effective May 1, 2025. Dr Anwar brings extensive knowledge and a clear vision to the role. He earned a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and Master degree - MBA in Business Administration.

With this strong foundation, Dr Anwar is well-positioned to lead the company through its next phase of growth and operational development.

A Commitment to Operational Excellence and Market Presence

Upon assuming leadership, Dr Anwar outlined his strategy to strengthen customer relationships, with a particular focus on the commercial sector.

"I will relentlessly strengthen our operational excellence and expand our market dominance," declared Dr Anwar. "My mission is clear: every commercial fleet in the UAE will turn to Abu Dhabi Tyre Company for critical TBR solutions. We will not just honour the Firestone legacy—we will set new industry standards as indispensable partners."

Looking Ahead

As Abu Dhabi Tyre Company moves forward under new leadership, it remains committed to the principles of quality, service, and customer satisfaction that have defined it since its inception in 1969. The company stated, “We are confident that Dr. Anwar’s strategic leadership will solidify our position as the leading Firestone TBR distributor in the UAE and ensure our continued success for decades to come.”

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Bridgestone India, a leading tyre manufacturer, has announced the appointment of Rajarshi Moitra as its new Managing Director, effective 1 January 2026. He currently serves as the Deputy Managing Director and succeeds Hiroshi Yoshizane, who has served as Managing Director since January 2024 and as Group President, Bridgestone Asia Pacific, India, China (BSAPIC) since May 2025.

Yoshizane will be promoted to Vice-President and Senior Officer of Bridgestone Corporation, effective 1 January 2026. He will continue to serve as BSAPIC Group President, Chairman of the Board of Bridgestone India and Vice Chairman of the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association.

In these roles, Yoshizane will provide strategic guidance to Bridgestone India and contribute to the growth of the industry.

Rajarshi Moitra, said, “I’m deeply honoured to take on the role of Managing Director and to continue supporting our teams at Bridgestone India, with whom I have worked so closely over the past few years. I look forward to continuing to work in alignment with Bridgestone’s essence and its unchanging mission of ‘Serving Society with Superior Quality’, as we serve our customers, OEM partners and communities at large.”

Hiroshi Yoshizane, said, “Bridgestone India has been an important part of Bridgestone’s growth journey globally, and it has been a privilege to work with such a passionate and capable team driving that progress. Together, we have strengthened our business operations, expanded our market presence, enhanced Safety & Quality, and planted important seeds for the future through initiatives in R&D, social contribution, and sustainability. The team’s strong commitment to serving customers and communities has created a solid foundation for continued success. As I continue my responsibilities as Group President of BSAPIC and Chairman of the Board of Bridgestone India, I look forward to supporting its continued growth under Rajarshi’s capable leadership.”

Moitra has over two decades of experience in Business Strategy, Profit Centre Management, Sales & Marketing and leading transformations. He joined Bridgestone India in 2019 to lead the Consumer business. He expanded his roles to include Consumer & Commercial Business, Solution Business, Logistics & Supply Chain Management. He became Executive Director – Sales & Marketing in June 2024 and Deputy Managing Director in May 2025.

Bridgestone India states that the new leadership structure will help it continue its transformation toward becoming a solutions company, guided by the ‘Bridgestone E8 Commitment.’

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Albourgh Tyres, a brand owned by Heuver Group, has appointed Armando Lima Santos as Sales Manager for Latin America region. This strategic placement is in line with Albourgh Tyres’ global expansion plans after a successful introduction of the first tyre lines for truck and trailer on the European market during the last three years.

Santos brings over 17 years of experience and expertise in truck and OTR tyres and has been associated with major tyre companies like Goodyear, Bridgestone, Tiresur and Prinx Chengshan in the past. In his new role, he will focus on developing the Latin American market, a key step in strengthening Albourgh Tyres’ global presence.

Santos said, “LATAM will be a strategic engine to accelerate Albourgh’s worldwide relevance and reinforce Heuver’s international footprint – with stronger portfolio depth, proximity, scale and customer-centric execution. I’m excited to help build this together – developing long term partnerships in the region and capturing this huge potential with the Heuver family.”

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Linglong Tire president and chief executive Wang Feng has set out the Chinese manufacturer’s most detailed climate commitments to date, telling delegates at the UN Climate Change Conference in Brazil that the company aims to reach carbon neutrality a decade ahead of China’s Paris Agreement schedule for industry.

Speaking at China’s national pavilion at COP30, Wang said Linglong will “significantly” cut CO₂ emissions by 2030 and target full carbon neutrality by 2050, aligning its internal goals with those of the European Union.

Linglong said it is already lowering emissions through energy-efficiency measures, sustainable tyre development and digitalised supply-chain systems. The company aims to reduce emissions by 52.07 percent by 2035, underpinned by a strategy built on five pillars — new materials, advanced technologies, modern processes, smart machinery and renewable energy.

Last year the manufacturer unveiled a concept tyre made from 79 percent sustainable materials. It expects to raise the proportion to 85 percent in all tyres by 2028 and achieve 100 percent sustainable materials by 2040. The company highlighted bio-based feedstocks — including biotechnical (itaconate) rubber, rice husk ash and corn-based silica — as alternatives to petroleum-derived raw materials, claiming such substitutions could cut emissions by up to 35%.

Linglong was the first Chinese tyre maker to join the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber, and said it is working with members to improve environmental and social standards across the sector. It is also backing FSC-certified natural rubber projects to protect forests, strengthen labour rights and support smallholder farmers. In recycling, the company said it is promoting the use of liquid waste rubber and pyrolysis carbon black to create a closed-loop system for end-of-life tyres.

Wang stressed that the company’s “dual-carbon roadmap is not only a commitment to environmental protection but also revolutionises the entire production process”. He added that Linglong would “do everything it can to achieve its environmental goals and provide consumers worldwide with environmentally friendly, sustainable and high-quality mobility solutions to leave a clean and beautiful planet for generations to come”.

COP30, held from 10–21 November in the Amazonian city of Belém, is expected to produce a list of indicators designed to measure adaptation progress, covering areas such as climate-resilient infrastructure, public health, livelihoods, water supply and ecosystem protection.

Shandong-based Linglong, founded in 1975, operates seven R&D centres and seven manufacturing bases globally, employing more than 19,000 people. Its tyres are sold in 173 countries and supplied as original equipment to more than 60 automotive brands, including Volkswagen, Audi and BYD.

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