oad Transport Expo 2026 brought truck tyre manufacturers, distributors and fleet technology providers together at NAEC Stoneleigh from 30 June to 2 July. More than 13,000 visitors attended the three-day event, according to its organisers. For the tyre sector, the show demonstrated how mileage, fuel efficiency, digital management and casing utilisation are becoming increasingly connected fleet priorities.
RTX organisers said more than 340 exhibitors took part in the fifth edition of the event. Fleet operators, transport managers, business owners and purchasing decision-makers formed a significant part of the audience.
Show Director Vic Bunby said industry support had been “phenomenal”, adding that the attendance reflected demand for a dedicated HGV exhibition focused on operators.
Beyond the overall visitor figures, the number of tyre businesses at Stoneleigh showed the event’s growing importance to commercial tyre suppliers. This continued the momentum seen at RTX 2025, when major tyre brands used the event to present fleet-focused products and services.
The 2026 tyre exhibits placed less emphasis on individual products alone. Instead, manufacturers increasingly connected tyres with fuel consumption, digital monitoring, retreading, uptime and total cost of ownership.
Bridgestone demonstrated its Total Cost of Ownership Calculator, which allows operators to enter operational information and compare potential savings.
The company also presented its Ecopia ENLITEN and Duravis commercial tyre ranges. Bridgestone positioned Ecopia around fuel efficiency, while Duravis focused on mileage and reducing premature tyre removals.
Bandag hot and cold retreading formed another part of the display. Bridgestone said the approach could extend casing life and support fleet circularity without compromising operational performance.
The stand also brought together Fleetcare and Webfleet technology. Webfleet demonstrated Fleet Advisor, an artificial intelligence-based assistant intended to provide fleet performance insights, alongside its OEM.connect vehicle integration programme.
David Almazan, Bridgestone’s Head of Region and Commercial Business Unit Director, said every fleet faced different operating conditions. He said the calculator was designed to identify where each business could find its largest efficiency opportunities.
Michelin used RTX for the UK show debut of its X Multi D2 in the 295/80 R22.5 size, ahead of its planned September launch.
The drive-axle tyre incorporates Michelin Regenion technology. Michelin claimed it could provide up to 15% more mileage and 7% lower rolling resistance than the first-generation product.
These performance figures remain manufacturer claims and will require validation under individual fleet operating conditions.
Michelin also displayed the X Multi Energy Remix retread and the X Works D2 for demanding mixed-service applications.
Its Remix truck tyres are produced at Michelin’s Stoke-on-Trent facility. The company’s four-life model combines regrooving, retreading and a second regrooving stage to extend casing use.
The display reflected the wider focus on retreading and resource efficiency previously examined in Tyre News Media’s coverage of commercial tyre exhibitors and fleet technologies at RTX.
Michelin Connected Fleet presented its AI Assistant, camera technology and automated vehicle inspection tools.
The systems are intended to identify operational risks, accelerate access to fleet information and support tyre pressure, wear and compliance monitoring.
Sophie Foucque, CEO of Michelin Connected Fleet for Europe, Africa and Australia, said fleets needed simple and transparent access to the information recorded by their vehicles.
She said the technology should help operators understand problems and act on them, rather than creating additional complexity.
The growing use of AI-based tools at RTX suggested fleet data is moving beyond reporting dashboards. Suppliers are now positioning it as an active decision-support tool for maintenance, safety and operating-cost management.
Kumho Tyre UK reported sustained interest in its expanding commercial vehicle tyre range throughout the exhibition.
The company displayed its KXA31, KXD31 and KXT31 regional multi-performance products. It also showed the KMA12 and KMD41 for mixed-service vehicles working in more demanding conditions.
Conversations with visitors covered tyre life, vehicle uptime and operating costs, according to Kumho.
Richard Lyons, Managing Director of Kumho Tyre UK, said RTX provided an opportunity to discuss fleet challenges directly with operators.
He added that visitors had shown interest in the range’s cost-of-ownership proposition and product quality. Kumho said it planned to develop the fleet relationships established during the event.
The company’s comments are commercially framed. However, they also reflect the competitive pressure on mid-market truck tyre suppliers to demonstrate lifecycle value rather than relying on purchase price alone.
WESTLAKE Tyre returned to RTX alongside its UK distributor, International Tyres.
The businesses introduced the WTR PRO trailer tyre, developed for medium and long-distance highway and regional operations. Its design includes a wear-resistant compound and measures intended to reduce stone retention.
The product carries M+S and 3PMSF markings. International Tyres described the 385/65 R22.5 product as a high-load super-single fitment aimed at UK operators.
The partners also launched the “Who can go the distance with WTR PRO” challenge. Participating fleets and service providers will record tyre mileage using a fixed hubometer between RTX 2026 and RTX 2027.
Richard Allen, Commercial Director of International Tyres, said the trial would help demonstrate the product’s value against competing fitments in local operations.
WESTLAKE also displayed its WSA2 steer and WDA2 drive tyres from the Gen II range.
Andrew Reitzner, UK National Sales Manager at ZC Rubber, said RTX allowed the company to meet fleets directly and understand their operating requirements.
The mileage challenge is more useful than a conventional launch claim because it creates an opportunity to collect field data. Its editorial value will ultimately depend on transparent reporting of routes, loads, maintenance and removal conditions.
Hankook presented commercial tyres for electric buses, regional distribution and long-haul transport.
The e-SMART City AU56 was developed specifically for electric buses. Its design addresses the higher weight and torque demands associated with battery-electric vehicles, while targeting rolling resistance and noise reduction.
For regional and local operations, Hankook displayed the Smart Work AM11+ steer tyre. Reinforced sidewalls are intended to support vehicles working in stop-start environments, including waste collection and urban logistics.
The SmartFlex AL/AH51 and DL/DH51 products covered regional and long-haul applications. Hankook said both were regroovable and retreadable.
Jon Cottrell, Truck and Bus Sales Manager at Hankook Tyre UK, said the show helped the company remain connected with changing fleet requirements and market developments.
Hankook also presented products from its Laufenn commercial range, broadening its offer across different fleet budgets.
Prometeon Tyre Group returned for its fourth consecutive RTX appearance following its Tyre Manufacturer of the Year award at the 2025 NTDA Tyre Industry Awards.
Its display centred on the R02 Proway for regional and long-haul fleets. Prometeon positioned the product around mileage, wet handling, even wear and retreadability.
The company also demonstrated Pro Management, its centralised tyre-management platform. The system records tyre activity, job histories, approvals and costs to improve fleet oversight.
Steve Tift, Managing Director for the UK and Ireland, said tyres were still sometimes treated simply as replacement products.
He argued that application-based tyre selection could affect uptime, compliance, cost control and vehicle performance.
Prometeon’s message reflected a broader theme across RTX. Manufacturers are encouraging fleets to assess tyres by route, load, vehicle use and service support rather than by unit price.
Sailun and Kirkby Tyres also used RTX to present a broad truck and bus tyre portfolio.
The display included Sailun’s EcoPoint3 products and its Ecomax Pro and Terra Pro series. Ecomax Pro targeted highway fleets seeking lower rolling resistance, while Terra Pro was developed for mixed-service applications.
Kirkby Tyres launched Kirkby Tyres Assist at the event. The nationwide service offer is intended to support fleets and tyre-service providers around the clock.
The combination of tyre supply and service support illustrated another competitive shift. Commercial tyre brands increasingly need a credible breakdown, maintenance and reporting network to win larger fleet accounts.
RTX 2026 showed that commercial tyre discussions are becoming wider and more data-led.
Mileage remained important, but exhibitors increasingly placed it alongside rolling resistance, casing life, retreading, digital inspections and vehicle connectivity. This reflects the pressure on fleets to control costs while meeting safety and environmental targets.
However, the show also produced many difficult-to-compare manufacturer claims. Percentage improvements are often measured against a specific predecessor or under controlled conditions.
Fleet operators should therefore assess trial data against their own routes, axle loads, pressures, maintenance standards and removal policies.
The most credible suppliers will be those that can document performance throughout the tyre’s working life. That includes the new tyre, regrooving, retreading and final casing recovery.
RTX will return to NAEC Stoneleigh from 6 to 8 July 2027.
Tagged with: RTX 2026, Road Transport Expo, commercial vehicle tyres, truck tyres, fleet tyre management, tyre retreading, total cost of ownership, rolling resistance, fleet technology, tyre mileage, artificial intelligence, circular economy
Disclaimer: This content may include forward-looking statements. Views expressed are not verified or endorsed by Tyre News Media.
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