Tire Group International strengthens North American foothold with new Florida hub and expanded brand partnerships

Michelin’s B2B Sales Director Andrew French reveals how the company is tackling emission challenges with innovative tyre technology, AI-powered fleet solutions, and circular economy partnerships to support fleets amid infrastructure hurdles and rising operational costs.Michelin Tyre’s B2B Sales Director, Andrew French, recently shared a pretty thorough outlook on the big trends currently shaping the road transport industry. He emphasized the complex web of challenges and innovations that are all interconnected — you know, like the push towards decarbonisation and the hurdles that come with it. During an interview with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), French highlighted just how urgent it is for fleets to pivot toward lower emissions, even though they’re facing persistent obstacles such as limited infrastructure and hefty upfront costs for electric trucks. He explained that Michelin’s approach doesn’t favor any one driveline technology over another; instead, they aim to improve tyre performance, safety, and overall efficiency across both traditional internal combustion engines and electric vehicles—pretty balanced, if you ask me. A key part of Michelin’s commercial push is the launch of the Michelin X Works 2 tyre range. It’s notable because it’s the first steer tyre to earn a B-energy efficiency rating—usable for both on- and off-road applications. That’s a pretty handy achievement, especially since these tyres not only last longer but are fully regrooveable and retreadable, aligning with Michelin’s long-standing focus on sustainability. They’re really trying to make tyres that last—reducing waste and cutting down on that sector’s carbon footprint. Michelin also invested heavily in the Stoke retread plant, which has been central to their circular economy initiatives for a while, and they’ve teamed up with Murfitts Industries to boost energy recovery from end-of-life tyres. Basically, this partnership aims to power the plant using less emissions, pushing the sustainability agenda further. French stressed how digital transformation and AI play a crucial role in Michelin’s operations now. For them, AI isn’t just some buzzword—it directly improves manufacturing efficiency and, more importantly, the customer experience through their Michelin Connected Fleet platform. This platform is a core piece of their predictive maintenance approach, offering features like tyre pressure monitoring and real-time condition analytics. These tools help fleets get ahead of issues, cut downtime and keep everyone safe. Initially rolled out in Spain and Portugal late in 2023, Michelin Connected Mobility is integrating smart tyre tech and fleet management services and plans to expand into several other European markets next year. The idea, as French puts it, is giving fleet managers actionable insights that can slash emissions while bumping up operational efficiency. And that’s not all—Michelin is developing solutions that do more than just monitor tread wear or pressure. They’re working on measuring vehicle load, estimating rolling resistance, and gauging grip levels, which means they’re providing a real full picture of how tyres and vehicles perform under all sorts of road conditions. These technical improvements don’t just make things safer and improve the driver experience; they also help tyres last longer. Over the last twenty years, Michelin managed to boost the energy efficiency of their passenger tyres by about 20%, all without sacrificing safety or durability—pretty impressive, I’d say, and a sign of their ongoing commitment to eco-friendly performance. On the sustainability front, French pointed out that there's a strong link between eco-consciousness and cost savings. Fuel-efficient tyres, he argued, can lower operational expenses for fleets, while also helping car makers meet those tough Vehicle Energy Consumption calculation Tool (VECTO) emissions targets. But he didn’t shy away from pointing out a real challenge he sees in the market: the surge in low-cost, single-use tyres. He believes these undermine the efforts to promote long-term sustainability and the circular economy principles Michelin champions. This concern echoes the industry’s broader call for tighter regulations to curb the proliferation of these kinds of products, which threaten to derail environmental goals. Michelin doesn’t just stop at tyres—they also offer tailored contracts like Effitires and integrated fleet solutions. These services provide large operators with predictive maintenance plans and detailed tyre monitoring, aiming to reduce unexpected breakdowns, maximize tyre performance, and improve fleet safety overall. All of this, in turn, helps maintain high productivity levels and supports sustainability efforts. Putting it all together, Michelin is positioning itself as more than just a tyre seller; they want to be a strategic partner for fleets working through the tricky terrain of decarbonisation and operational efficiency. The industry players who engage with Michelin’s latest technologies and services will hopefully be better equipped to stay ahead of evolving Legislation, meet customer expectations, and hit those vital environmental targets. Honestly, it’s pretty clear that the company’s future focus isn’t just on making tyres but on creating solutions that help transform the whole logistics and transport landscape. Source: Noah Wire Services

At GIIAS 2025, BYD unveiled its largest and most immersive booth yet in Indonesia, combining VR and AR technologies with the launch of the advanced e-Platform 3.0. Showcasing a diverse electric vehicle lineup and a new lifestyle brand concept, BYD is pushing the boundaries of EV innovation and education in Southeast Asia’s automotive scene.At GIIAS 2025—the biggest and most eagerly awaited automotive event in Indonesia—BYD, short for Build Your Dreams, really stole the show. The company drew lots of attention from folks in the industry, tech lovers, and everyday consumers. They brought a pretty comprehensive display of their electric vehicle offerings and lifestyle products, making their booth a real stand-out. The overall design and presentation weren’t just eye-catching—they showcased BYD’s dedication to pushing the envelope in electric mobility, sustainability, and engaging their customers in new ways. It kinda reminded everyone that they’re serious about leading in this space. The BYD booth itself had this cool, futuristic vibe, stretching over nearly 3,000 square meters—making it one of the largest at GIIAS. The layout was carefully planned, splitting the space into different interactive zones where entertainment, learning, and tech merged seamlessly. One of the biggest hits was the BYD Vision zone, which used VR (Virtual Reality) tech to give visitors a truly immersive experience. People could put on VR headsets and, wow, explore vehicle features and innovations as if they were right inside the cars. Naturally, this led to long lines and a lot of excitement, with folks eager to see everything firsthand. They also introduced AR (Augmented Reality) tech that displayed detailed info about their latest models’ specs and design nuances. This cutting-edge tech approach really cemented BYD’s status as a front-runner in EV innovation. A major highlight was their reveal of the e-Platform 3.0—this is an advanced electric vehicle platform, you see, supporting better chassis performance and overall vehicle efficiency. It’s a core piece of their latest models, showing that BYD remains committed to foundational automotive tech, especially something that helps improve powertrain integration and keeps the ride smooth and responsive. Alongside these technical displays, they also showcased original car parts with a touch of elegance. This allowed industry insiders and tech enthusiasts alike to get a glimpse of the engineering complexity involved in BYD’s EVs—a chance to appreciate the craftsmanship beneath the surface. When it came to the vehicles themselves, the lineup on display was pretty extensive. You had models like the Atto 3, Dolphin, Seal, M6, and the recently launched Atto 1—some painted in a bright yellow that really grabbed attention. They even set up a test drive zone, featuring nearly ten EVs, so potential buyers and fleet managers could actually try out the cars’ performance themselves. This is a smart move, especially for decision-makers considering electrification for their fleets. Plus, the booth showcased the high-performance Yangwang U9 supercar, which features the cutting-edge e⁴ Platform with four independent electric motors and BYD’s unique DiSus X suspension system. This supercar could do some wild stuff—like ‘tank turns’ and wheel movements timed perfectly to music—highlighting BYD’s blend of luxury, high tech, and sporty performance. But it wasn’t just about vehicles. BYD also promoted a broader lifestyle concept through its “BYD Lifestyle” zone. Here, visitors could check out eco-friendly bags, tumblers, and character merchandise—all designed to reinforce the idea that sustainable living isn’t just about cars, but about a whole lifestyle. They also teamed up with Pi-ma! to create a series of smartphone cases inspired by automotive themes—featuring futuristic designs and natural landscapes, marrying tech with everyday products. This isn’t just about selling cars—BYD is positioning itself as a lifestyle brand that appeals to environmentally conscious folks of all ages and backgrounds. Education played a key role, too. BYD wanted to help demystify EV technology and make it more accessible. Visitors could see clear displays showing powertrain systems and read up on the benefits of EVs—like energy efficiency, safety, and lowering environmental impacts. They also offered interactive EV driving simulations, making the whole learning process fun and practical—kind of like giving visitors the skills and confidence needed to support EV adoption, especially in Indonesia’s fleet and aftermarket sectors. Looking at the bigger picture, BYD’s booth at GIIAS 2025 was a clear statement of their focus on innovation, product variety, and education. They combined advanced digital experiences—like VR and AR—with real-world test drives and engaging learning tools, positioning themselves as a key player in Indonesia’s transition to electric mobility—and, really, in Southeast Asia overall. It’s pretty clear that they’re determined to shape the future of transportation here, and I think they’re well on their way. Source: Noah Wire Services

Drawing a record 15,000 attendees and showcasing over 550 exhibitors, Automechanika Birmingham highlighted the accelerating innovation in collision repair and ADAS calibration tools, alongside major product launches and expanded global supply chain roles for Asian manufacturers.The recent Automechanika event in Birmingham, UK, really marked a significant milestone for the automotive aftermarket and collision repair tech scene, pulling in a record-breaking 15,000 visitors and showcasing around 550 exhibitors. Over the course of three lively days, the expo became quite the hub of innovation, learning, and networking. It really highlighted how quickly the industry’s changing—especially with all the complexities that come with the rise of Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems, or ADAS, in modern vehicles. There was plenty to soak in—over 180 hours of specialist talks, to be honest, covering everything from vehicle detailing, speedy diagnostic repair systems, to new techniques for small area repairs. These sessions offered some pretty priceless insights, especially into the current hurdles and what the future might hold for collision repair and regular vehicle upkeep. Industry groups like Solera and Thatcham Training contributed heavily to this educational lineup by sharing their expertise—think clean sanding tech, seam replication, and also rolling out the latest Cubitron II abrasive discs, which now come in superfine grits to really improve repair quality and cut down on time. Big-name companies across the automotive aftermarket space had a strong presence, with dedicated lounges and live demo zones. Brands like 3M, Indasa, AllData, Hella, Norton Abrasives, Prevost, Thatcham Research, Walcom, and Sagola all showed off their latest gear and tech designed to make body shops more productive. For example, 3M introduced some new clean sanding and seam replication systems, while Norton Abrasives demonstrated customized workstations aimed at smoothing out workflows. You could also check out Indasa’s new HT Ceramic abrasive line, which is making waves globally, showing just how much abrasive tech has advanced—pretty handy for prepping surfaces efficiently. Product launches were definitely a highlight—over 50 new items hitting the scene during the event. One standout was Snap-On’s new V2180 wheel alignment package, featuring these honed rotating hubs—aimed at making wheel alignment both faster and more precise, which is super important given how complicated vehicles are getting. Hella also showcased its next-gen ADAS calibration tool—an absolutely vital piece of kit because with more ADAS systems in cars than ever before, calibration needs to be spot-on to keep safety and performance levels high. And GS27 launched a Ceramic Rain Cleaner, adding to the variety of products meant to keep everyday vehicle maintenance in check. Another interesting aspect was how Asian manufacturers are really stepping up their game within the global supply chain for automotive parts. Their footprint’s definitely expanding—in parts, gaskets, abrasives—you name it—making them pivotal players worldwide. It’s kind of a sign of how globalized and complex the supply chain puzzle has become in the auto repair universe. Beyond just showcasing products, Automechanika Birmingham put a real focus on skills development and ongoing education. The workshops and training hubs were packed with folks eager to learn new repair techniques, diagnostic methods, and the latest tech. It was a pretty immersive experience—not just sitting and listening, but also watching live demos and panel discussions. Whether you were a technician, a workshop manager, or an OEM specialist, there was plenty to take away to stay ahead of the game and keep up with tightening regs and high-tech car tech. All in all, the event really sent a clear message: the industry is committed to moving forward—innovating, training, adapting. As vehicles become more advanced, especially with systems like ADAS, the aftermarket's got to keep pace—upgrading its tools, skills, and processes—to ensure that repairs are safe, effective, and up to OEM standards. It’s pretty fascinating, really—how quickly this whole scene’s evolving. Source: Noah Wire Services