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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Apollo Tyres Ltd has secured the second position among BW Businessworld India’s Top 5 Most Sustainable Companies in the Automotive Components sector, marking a significant recognition of the company’s dedication to responsible and future-oriented business operations. The ranking underscores the organisation’s consistent efforts to embed sustainability into its corporate framework, highlighting its progress in aligning industrial performance with long-term environmental and social accountability.

In addition to this sector-specific accolade, Apollo Tyres has been named among BW India’s Top 60 Most Sustainable Companies for the 2024–25 edition, a distinction drawn from a broader evaluation of the country’s top 200 corporations. Further cementing this achievement, the company has also been featured within the Top 30 most sustainable organisations among that select cohort. The assessment involved a comprehensive review across a wide range of Environmental, Social and Governance parameters, providing a holistic evaluation of Apollo Tyres’ sustainability initiatives and their measurable long-term impact.

The BW Sustainability World platform continues to serve as a key forum for industry leaders, fostering the exchange of insights, inspiration and actionable strategies aimed at accelerating sustainable transformation across sectors. Apollo Tyres remains steadfast in its commitment to driving meaningful change and contributing to a more sustainable future, building on these recognitions as benchmarks of its ongoing journey.

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Zeon Corporation has announced changes to its leadership structure, following a resolution passed at a board of directors meeting held on 30 March 2026.

The company confirmed the transfer of a representative director and changes to its board of directors, set to take effect on 26 June 2026. Kimiaki Tanaka, currently Representative Director & Chairman, will retire from his role and step down from the board. Following his retirement, he is expected to assume the position of Senior Advisor to the company.

In a separate change to the board, Outside Director Tadanobu Nagumo will retire on the same date. To fill the vacancy, Zeon has nominated Toshiya Imai as a candidate for a new outside director. Imai currently serves as Director & Chairman of Ridgelinez Limited.

The company stated that the changes are being made to refresh its management structure.

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Titan International has elevated Kendra Mann to the role of Director of Aftermarket Sales for the Titan and Goodyear agricultural tyre lines. In this capacity, she becomes a key member of Paul Hawkins’ North American aftermarket leadership team, where she will oversee strategic direction and operational execution within the aftermarket channel. This appointment underscores Titan’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its agricultural aftermarket presence as the company continues to focus on growth and dealer alignment across North America.

With over two decades in the tyre industry, Mann brings extensive expertise to her new position, including the last eight years spent at Titan. Her previous roles there ranged from OEM Account Manager to Field Sales Manager overseeing a multi-state territory, where she drove aftermarket expansion. Prior to joining Titan, she spent 15 years at GCR Tires and Service managing commercial tyre operations. In her latest capacity, she will work closely with field sales, product management and dealer networks to ensure seamless coordination across the Titan and Goodyear agricultural portfolios.

Looking ahead, customers can expect a sharper focus on aligning field support with sales and marketing strategies, reinforcing the dealer partnerships that form the backbone of daily service. Through this leadership change, Titan aims to enhance responsiveness and deliver a more cohesive experience across the agricultural aftermarket channel.

Paul Hawkins, SVP of Aftermarket Sales, said, “Kendra has earned this. She understands the business, she understands the customer and she knows how to move the needle for our aftermarket business. This is the right person in the right role at the right time for Titan agriculture.”

Scott Sloan, Global Ag/LSW Product Manager, said, "Kendra has built valuable relationships in the field. She knows how dealers operate and what customers need on the ground. That perspective is going to make a real difference in how we execute across the ag aftermarket."

Kim Boccardi, VP of Marketing, said, "Kendra is the kind of person who makes everyone around her better. She's put in the work, she knows the industry, and watching her step into this role is exactly what you hope to see. Titan is better with her joining our leadership team."

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Linglong Tire has announced a leadership transition, with Zhou Lingkun appointed as President and CEO as of 16 March 2026. Assuming full operational command, his primary objective is to refine the company’s corporate governance structure. Meanwhile, former President Wang Feng, whose family retains controlling shares, continues as Chairman of the board.

A 1974-born graduate of Zhejiang University, Lingkun brings a robust background from global consulting and IT firms, including Arthur Andersen, IBM and Hewlett-Packard. His most recent role was President of the Enterprise Technology and Performance Business Group at Deloitte China, where he also served as a board member.

This strategic appointment separates operational leadership from familial shareholding, positioning Lingkun to steer daily management while leveraging his extensive international expertise to drive organisational efficiency.

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