A pneumatic tire assembly having an axis of rotation, said pneumatic tire assembly comprising: an elastomeric tire casing extending circumferentially about said axis of rotation and including a crown portion extending in a generally axial direction, opposing sidewalls (126, 128) disposed in axially-spaced relation to one another and extending radially inwardly from along said crown portion to respective bead areas (138; 138'), and a plurality of bead reinforcing elements (264; 290; 316) with at least one bead reinforcing element (264; 290; 316) embedded within each of said bead areas (138; 138'), and a ply (144; 144') extending across said crown portion and along said sidewalls (126, 128), said ply (144; 144') including opposing outer ends (148; 148') with one of said outer ends (148; 148') disposed within each of said bead areas (138; 138') and anchored to said at least one bead reinforcing element (264; 290; 316) embedded within said bead areas (138; 138'), said plurality of bead reinforcing elements (264; 290; 316) being endless annular rings that define an opening extending therethrough, said plurality of bead reinforcing elements (264; 290; 316) extending peripherally about said axis and having an axially-inward side (272; 298; 324) and an axially-outward side (274; 300; 326) relative to said sidewalls (126, 128) of said elastomeric tire casing, each of said outer ends (148; 148') of said ply (144; 144') extends along at least one of said axially-inward side (272; 298; 324) and said axially-outward side (274; 300; 326) of a respective one of said bead reinforcing elements (264; 290; 316) and is secured therealong using a mechanical connection (284; 310; 348), said outer ends (148; 148') of said ply (144; 144') include a plurality of securement features (286; 312; 314; 336; 340; 348) formed therealong, and at least one of said axially-inward side (272; 298; 324) and said axially-outward side (274; 300; 326) of said bead reinforcing elements (264; 290; 316) includes a plurality of securement features (286; 312; 314; 336; 340; 348) cooperative with said plurality of securement features (286; 312; 314; 336; 340; 348) of said outer ends (148; 148') to at least partially form said mechanical connection (284; 310; 348); at least one of said bead reinforcing elements (264; 290; 316) including plurality of carbon fibers. an elastomeric tire casing extending circumferentially about said axis of rotation and including a crown portion extending in a generally axial direction, opposing sidewalls (126, 128) disposed in axially-spaced relation to one another and extending radially inwardly from along said crown portion to respective bead areas (138; 138'), and a plurality of bead reinforcing elements (264; 290; 316) with at least one bead reinforcing element (264; 290; 316) embedded within each of said bead areas (138; 138'), and a ply (144; 144') extending across said crown portion and along said sidewalls (126, 128), said ply (144; 144') including opposing outer ends (148; 148') with one of said outer ends (148; 148') disposed within each of said bead areas (138; 138') and anchored to said at least one bead reinforcing element (264; 290; 316) embedded within said bead areas (138; 138'), said plurality of bead reinforcing elements (264; 290; 316) being endless annular rings that define an opening extending therethrough, said plurality of bead reinforcing elements (264; 290; 316) extending peripherally about said axis and having an axially-inward side (272; 298; 324) and an axially-outward side (274; 300; 326) relative to said sidewalls (126, 128) of said elastomeric tire casing, each of said outer ends (148; 148') of said ply (144; 144') extends along at least one of said axially-inward side (272; 298; 324) and said axially-outward side (274; 300; 326) of a respective one of said bead reinforcing elements (264; 290; 316) and is secured therealong using a mechanical connection (284; 310; 348), said outer ends (148; 148') of said ply (144; 144') include a plurality of securement features (286; 312; 314; 336; 340; 348) formed therealong, and at least one of said axially-inward side (272; 298; 324) and said axially-outward side (274; 300; 326) of said bead reinforcing elements (264; 290; 316) includes a plurality of securement features (286; 312; 314; 336; 340; 348) cooperative with said plurality of securement features (286; 312; 314; 336; 340; 348) of said outer ends (148; 148') to at least partially form said mechanical connection (284; 310; 348); at least one of said bead reinforcing elements (264; 290; 316) including plurality of carbon fibers.