Brett Emerson, who is currently Consumer Business Unit Director Bridgestone NV/SA (North Region) within Bridgestone EMIA has announced that he is bidding a fond farewell to the company for the third and final time, effective 31 March 2025.
For many, the justification for investment into motorsports is the potential race-track-to-the-road transmission of both technology to consumer car tyres as well as overall brand awareness. Not so with Hoosier, which became part of the Continental Group back in 2016. For Hoosier, the brand’s single-minded to motorsports irrespective of the fact that they have no pure road going tyres is a strength. As company executives put it, Hoosier is the only brand that is all-in on motorsports. As a result, the emphasis is on making the best-performing motorsport tyres as well as focusing on the motorsports tyres customers themselves. Nevertheless, to communicate such messages across continents and even around the globe with a series like FIA WRX, which Hoosier became exclusive official tyre supplier to in 2023, requires marketing and raising brand awareness. With that in mind, as well as Hoosier’s stated aim of expanding into the EMEA region, Tyres & Accessories spoke with executives including Joerg Burfien, president and CEO of Hoosier Tire and Martin Heckers, head of Hoosier Europe.
Yokohama is in the process of buying Romanian off-highway tyre manufacturing business Euro Tires Manufacturing SRL. Euro Tires Manufacturing reportedly went bankrupt at the end of January 2025 after almost 7 years of an insolvency and reorganisation process that began back in 2018. Yokohama Rubber sent a letter of intent regarding the acquisition of assets belonging to Euro Tires Manufacturing at the end of 2024, according to various Romanian news sources. The big question is: do these developments suggest that Romania will be the location of Yokohama’s long-previewed European car and/or truck tyre factory?
Better late than never. In recent times the governments of Europe seem to have woken up to a situation most saw coming from afar and are now directing a flurry of activity towards rescuing the region’s industries. One such measure is the European Commission’s planned Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the European Automotive Industry. A total of ,906 economic operators, NGOs, public administrations and citizens responded to the Commission’s call for consultation ahead of this dialogue, including the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA).
Although Apollo Tyres’ capital expenditure won’t reach its targeted level of Rs 10 billion (£92.2 million) during the 2025 financial year, it’ll be a different story when the new year begins on 1 April. In addition to confirming that FY25 CapEx will only “be around” Rs 7 billion to Rs 8 billion (£64.5 million to £73.7 million), during an investor conference call on 7 February Chief Financial Officer Gaurav also mentioned that the tyre maker intends to significantly raise CapEx for FY26 and shared details of specific projects.
On 10 January, the Sailun Supply Chain Special Train departed from Jinan Dongjiazhen Station for the first time. This train, full of tyres, is a component of the China-Europe Railway Express, which transports products produced by Sailun to Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
From 1 March 2025, Tommi Alhola will join the Nokian Tyres management team as Senior Vice President in charge of Passenger Car Tyres, Central Europe. On that date, Lauri Halme will also take on the role of Senior Vice President for Passenger Car Tyres, North America.
In addition to Strategic Dialogues and a Competitive Compass, The European Union is developing a Single Market Strategy for 2025 as part of its response to strong external competition. The European Commission is tasked with creating a horizontal single market strategy by June 2025, the aim being to address market fragmentation and present a roadmap with clear timelines and actions. The European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers Association (ETRMA) views the Single Market Strategy as a “great opportunity” to address the “significant challenges” tyre makers face in maintaining a competitive manufacturing presence in Europe.
The European Commission initiated the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the European Automotive Industry yesterday with a high-level meeting convened by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Bringing together key industry leaders, social partners, and stakeholders, the dialogue aims to address pressing challenges and establish a roadmap for a sustainable and competitive future. The meeting marks the beginning of a broad, inclusive process designed to safeguard the automotive sector’s role as a cornerstone of the European economy.
Mirco Spiniella has been promoted to commercial director Europe and Igino Schiavi has been named sales director for Southern Europe at Triangle Tyre Europe.
Igino Schiavi, formerly product marketing manager Europe, has been appointed Sales Director for Southern Europe. He takes over this position following the departure of Roberto Pizzamiglio. “With a wealth of experience in product strategy and market analysis, Igino has contributed significantly to Triangle Tyre’s European operations. In his new role, he will focus on strengthening client partnerships and supporting growth in the Southern European market”, company representatives said in an official statement.
On 21 January 2025, Michelin managing partner, Florent Menegaux called on the French and European authorities to support tyre manufacturers like Michelin with better energy cost and taxation policy as they face an “invasion” of imports from low-cost production markets in Asia. Here we take a more detailed look at both the challenges Western tyre manufacturers such as Michelin are facing as well as the solutions they are offering.
While publishing the details of its final decision relating to import tariffs on Chinese-produced truck tyres, the European Commission (EC) also revealed some fascinating details relating to how the market has changed in light of previous investigations. The official documents also give insight into the degree to which some firms in the supply chain of Chinese tyremakers are connected to state ownership and how the EC defines brand segmentation. And finally, the reveal how the EC tiers the different brand segments.
The European Commission has published its final decision on extending the anti-dumping and anti-subsidy tariffs on truck and bus tyres produced in China. The new tariffs amount to figures between €21.12 and a maximum of €78.90 per tyre, effective immediately following the 16 January publication of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/58 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/61, both of 15 January 2025.
Guy Heywood stepped down from his role as vice president of sales, marketing and business strategy at Hankook Europe effective January 2025 to take up a new role as vice president supporting Hankook in Europe as an “internal consultant” and with “strategic projects management”.
Oliver Hummel has been named as the new European business development manager at service, maintenance, repair and tyre (SMRT) authorisation technology company 1link. He will be responsible for sales of the platform – delivered by Business Gateway GmbH – to major vehicle operators in mainland Europe. Hummel joins from Nokian Tyres, where he held both fleet and retail key account manager roles, and has also worked in senior positions at Bridgestone Europe and Michelin.
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