Pirelli is moving ahead with production of its connected Cyber Tyre technology in the United States after months of uncertainty tied to Chinese ownership concerns and tightening American restrictions around advanced technology.
The Italian tire manufacturer said production will be at its plant in Rome, Georgia. The site is already capable of manufacturing up to 400,000 tyres annually, but Pirelli hasn’t revealed how many Cyber Tyre units will be added to current production.
For a while, the project looked vulnerable.
Pirelli is owned by the Chinese state-owned company Sinochem, which holds 34.1 percent of the company. As Washington turned an eye to China-related technologies, doubts arose whether the Italian company would continue to be granted permission to make sensor-equipped tires for the U.S. market.
Those concerns were focused on Pirelli’s Cyber Tyre system. The technology consists of in-tire sensors that collect data and interact with the vehicle’s electronics, such as ABS and stability-control systems. The idea is to enhance safety and driving dynamics by collecting real-time data.
Italy eventually stepped in. Using national “golden powers” protections reserved for strategically important companies, the Italian government imposed limits on Sinochem’s influence over Pirelli. Authorities stated none of the eight board members previously appointed by the Chinese shareholder would retain access to top executive positions such as chairman or chief executive.
Italian officials also instructed Sinochem not to interfere with company operations. Pirelli, meanwhile, would no longer need to share sensitive corporate information with the Chinese group.
Those decisions cleared an important obstacle for the American rollout. The move also arrives during a tense trade period between the United States and China. Tariffs continue affecting automotive suppliers, and Pirelli acknowledged American production helps soften part of the pressure linked to those import costs.
Connected tire manufacturing in Georgia now appears ready to begin soon. Pirelli North America chief executive Claudio Zanardo described the development as a major step for the company’s American operations. He said, “The start of Cyber Tyre production in our Rome, Georgia, plant is a significant milestone for Pirelli in this country.”
Zanardo added another statement tied directly to the expansion plans in the United States. “It reflects our commitment to bringing advanced technologies like Cyber Tyre closer to the market, further strengthening our industrial footprint and innovation capabilities in the United States.”
The broader story sits beyond one factory in Georgia. Tire companies increasingly want products linked directly with vehicle software systems and electronic safety features. Pirelli’s approach places sensors inside the tire itself instead of relying entirely on external monitoring systems.
Earlier concerns suggested those tires might need production outside the United States. That scenario no longer appears necessary. After intervention from Rome, the company secured a path forward inside America’s own market.
