US threatens to curb sales of Pirelli's high-end tyres due to Chinese influence - Bloomberg
Pirelli's Cyber Tire smart tyre technology could be banned from the US market due to national security concerns.
Here's What We Know
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Commerce banned the sale and import of hardware and software for "connected" vehicles from China and Russia. Also under the ban are the cars themselves with such systems. The ban was initiated during the administration of President Joe Biden.
Now the focus of attention has turned to Pirelli. Although car tyres are rarely associated with high technology, from 2021 the Italian company will offer tyres with the Cyber Tire system - a built-in sensor that collects data that affects driving safety.
Pirelli says the device contains information on tyre type (winter or summer), recommended pressure, load index, speed index, and monitors temperature and pressure in real time. This data is processed by software integrated into the vehicle's electronics. Some of the information is displayed on displays inside the cabin, while other information is used by the car's electronic systems to fine-tune the driver's assistants.
According to Bloomberg, sales of tyres with Cyber Tire technology, as well as vehicles equipped with these tyres, may be limited. The reason is the involvement of Chinese state-owned Sinochem, which owns a 37 per cent stake in Pirelli. However, carmakers will theoretically be able to apply for an exemption to use Cyber Tire technology in their vehicles and thus avoid the restrictions.
There is less and less time to resolve the issue: restrictions on Chinese technology will come into effect from the 2027 model year, and on hardware from 2030.
Source: Bloomberg
