Tyre Manufacturers Accelerate Telematics Expansion as Fleet Management Becomes a Strategic Growth Engine
The “Tyre Manufacturers Telematics Activities – 4th Edition” report has been added to the portfolio of ResearchAndMarkets.com, offering a comprehensive and up-to-date examination of how global tyre manufacturers are positioning themselves within the rapidly evolving fleet telematics and connected services ecosystem. As fleets increasingly rely on data-driven decision-making to reduce costs, improve safety, and meet regulatory requirements, tyre manufacturers are emerging as influential players well beyond their traditional role as product suppliers.
This in-depth research provides valuable intelligence for a broad range of stakeholders, including tyre manufacturers, telematics solution providers, vehicle OEMs, telecom operators, investors, consultants, and government agencies. By mapping out initiatives, acquisitions, partnerships, and technology integrations, the report highlights how tyre companies are leveraging digital services to strengthen customer relationships and unlock new revenue streams.
Fleet Telematics: A Natural Extension of the Tyre Business
The tyre industry has long been centered on product performance, durability, and safety. However, digitalization has fundamentally altered how tyres are managed across commercial vehicle fleets. Real-time data on tyre pressure, temperature, wear, and usage patterns has become critical for optimizing fuel efficiency, reducing downtime, and extending tyre life.
Fleet telematics solutions—once dominated by independent technology vendors—are now viewed by tyre manufacturers as highly complementary to their core business. Tyres are among the most cost-sensitive components in fleet operations, and improper inflation alone can significantly increase fuel consumption and maintenance costs. By embedding tyres within connected platforms, manufacturers can move from transactional sales models toward service-based, recurring revenue strategies.
As a result, nearly all major tyre manufacturers now offer some form of tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and many have integrated these systems with broader fleet management platforms. In parallel, leading players have either acquired telematics companies or formed strategic partnerships to accelerate their digital capabilities.
Global Tyre Market Landscape: Concentration at the Top
The global tyre market remains dominated by a small group of multinational manufacturers. In 2024, the top ten tyre manufacturers collectively generated approximately €115–120 billion in tyre-related revenue, underscoring both the scale and concentration of the industry.
- Michelin and Bridgestone lead the market, each generating approximately €25–27 billion in annual tyre sales.
- Goodyear follows with around €18 billion, while Continental records roughly €14 billion in tyre sales.
For Michelin, Bridgestone, and Goodyear, tyres account for 93–100% of total revenues, reinforcing their deep focus on the segment. Continental, by contrast, is more diversified across automotive technologies, with tyres representing only about 35% of total group revenue.
Beyond the top four, other major players include Pirelli, Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI), Hankook, Yokohama Rubber, ZC Rubber, and Sailun Group, each generating between €4 billion and €7 billion in tyre sales during 2024.
A long tail of additional manufacturers—such as Toyo Tires, MRF Tyres, Kumho Tire, Linglong Tire, Giti Tire, Apollo Tyres, Maxxis, Nexen Tire, Titan Tire, JK Tyre, and Nokian Tyres—further contributes to a highly competitive and globally distributed industry.
M&A as a Key Driver of Telematics Expansion
One of the most striking findings of the report is the role of mergers and acquisitions in accelerating tyre manufacturers’ entry into fleet telematics. Rather than building platforms entirely from scratch, leading players have acquired established telematics and fleet management solution providers to gain immediate scale, expertise, and customer bases.
Bridgestone: Building a Global Mobility Solutions Platform
Bridgestone has emerged as one of the most aggressive acquirers in the fleet telematics space. Through multiple acquisitions, the company has consolidated its digital activities under Bridgestone Mobility Solutions, creating a broad portfolio that spans fleet management, vehicle data, and tyre intelligence.
As a result of this strategy, Bridgestone Mobility Solutions now connects approximately 1.3 million vehicles worldwide, making it one of the largest tyre-backed telematics ecosystems globally. The company’s approach reflects a clear ambition to evolve from a tyre manufacturer into a mobility solutions provider, offering integrated services across the vehicle lifecycle.
Michelin: Expanding MICHELIN Connected Fleet
Michelin has followed a similar path through targeted acquisitions and organic development. MICHELIN Connected Fleet currently connects more than 700,000 vehicles, providing fleet operators with tools for tyre monitoring, vehicle tracking, fuel optimization, and compliance management.
Michelin’s strategy places strong emphasis on data analytics and sustainability, aligning fleet efficiency improvements with broader environmental goals such as reduced CO₂ emissions and extended tyre lifespans.
Partnership-Led Approaches Among Other Manufacturers
While Bridgestone and Michelin have favored acquisition-led expansion, other tyre manufacturers have adopted partnership-based strategies. These companies typically focus on integrating their TPMS and tyre intelligence solutions into existing third-party telematics platforms rather than developing full-scale fleet management offerings themselves.
This approach allows manufacturers to:
- Maintain focus on tyre technology and manufacturing excellence
- Avoid the complexity of operating large software platforms
- Reach a broader customer base through established telematics ecosystems
Such strategies are particularly common among mid-sized and regionally focused tyre manufacturers, though even some top-tier players continue to balance acquisitions with strategic alliances.
Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems: Core Technology in Connected Fleets
At the heart of tyre manufacturers’ telematics activities lies the tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS). Modern TPMS solutions typically consist of:
- Sensors mounted inside or on the tyre to measure pressure and temperature
- Wireless communication modules
- Cloud-based data processing platforms
- Integration interfaces with fleet management software
These systems provide fleet managers with real-time visibility into tyre conditions, enabling proactive maintenance and reducing the risk of blowouts or premature wear. Integration with fleet telematics platforms allows tyre data to be combined with vehicle location, driving behavior, and operational metrics, delivering a holistic view of fleet performance.
Regulatory Momentum Strengthens TPMS Adoption
Regulation is playing an increasingly important role in accelerating TPMS adoption. The report highlights that the European Union now mandates tyre pressure monitoring systems on trucks, reinforcing TPMS as a standard feature rather than an optional add-on.
This regulatory push creates both compliance challenges and commercial opportunities for tyre manufacturers. Those with mature TPMS and telematics offerings are well positioned to support fleets navigating regulatory requirements, further strengthening customer loyalty and long-term contracts.
Long-Tail Manufacturers Enter the Digital Arena
While much of the telematics activity is concentrated among leading tyre manufacturers, the report also notes growing participation from smaller and regional players. These companies are increasingly experimenting with connected tyre solutions, often through partnerships or white-label platforms.
Although their scale remains limited compared to industry leaders, this trend suggests that telematics is becoming a baseline expectation across the tyre industry, rather than a niche capability.
Telematics as a Long-Term Growth Lever
The report concludes that tyre manufacturers’ involvement in fleet telematics is set to deepen further. As fleets demand integrated solutions that combine hardware, software, and analytics, tyre companies are uniquely positioned to anchor these ecosystems through one of the most critical vehicle components.
Future growth is expected to come from:
- Additional acquisitions and consolidation
- Deeper integration of tyre data with vehicle and driver analytics
- Expansion into emerging markets
- Alignment with sustainability and decarbonization initiatives
Ultimately, telematics is no longer a peripheral activity for tyre manufacturers. It has become a strategic pillar, reshaping competitive dynamics and redefining what it means to be a tyre company in the digital age.
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