Tyre pressure monitoring systems specialist SmarTire and automotive technology supplier Visteon are to jointly develop and market TPMS as OE for vehicle manufacturers. The companies say they are working to consolidate non-exclusive product development and distribution arrangements after announcing an agreement in principle.

“This represents a decisive step towards the integration of our technology into OE passenger car platforms,” says Ian Bateman, managing director of SmarTire Europe. Bateman predicts that TPMS - already standard fit on some executive car models will be the next major breakthrough in European vehicle safety following airbags and anti-lock brakes. Tyre pressure warning systems will be mandatory on new cars in the US from 2004.