Bridgestone has been selected by Mercedes-Benz AG as the development partner for tyres for its technology programme, the Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX. The futuristic electric vehicle (EV) is the car manufacturer’s answer to making EVs more efficient and increasing electric range to a new level. Bridgestone said in a statement that its engineers collaborated with Mercedes-Benz to create custom-designed tyres that have contributed to increasing the vehicle’s efficiency and thus driving range to a real-world 1,000km – from Sindelfingen, Germany to Cassis, France – on a single charge. 

Bridgestone designed bespoke Turanza Eco tyres that combine its proprietary and lightweight ENLITEN Technology to reduce tyre rolling resistance and weight by up to 20 per cent, along with its ologic technology designed to enhance battery range by means of a large tyre diameter to reduce rolling resistance, and a narrow tyre width to reduce aerodynamic resistance. 

In collaboration with Mercedes-Benz’s aerodynamic department, the tyre also comes with optimised sidewalls and a bead area design that match the covers mounted on the 20-inch, forged-magnesium wheels, greatly improving the tyre’s aerodynamics.  

Emilio Tiberio, COO & CTO at Bridgestone EMIA, said: "As part of our commitment to help shape a sustainable future of mobility, Bridgestone is proud to have co-developed with its long-term partner the right tyres for a project as innovative as this. The Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX is a project that is totally aligned with our own EV ambitions and targets, especially as we are investing to make electric mobility more efficient and accessible through a fully integrated approach. This includes pioneering premium tyres and tyre technologies able to tackle the greatest EV challenges. This is especially true as we heavily invest in EV tyre development – currently allocated over 30 per cent of our R&D resources – and improve upon our technologies in 2022.” 

The tyres were developed using Bridgestone’s virtual tyre modelling and simulation capabilities, which enable a digital version of an in-development tyre to be created and tested. Using this technology means that development time was cut considerably. 

Bridgestone leveraged the virtual environment for a large part of the development process, enabling prediction of how the tyre would perform in different conditions before physically building it. The increased flexibility offered by virtual tyre development enables Bridgestone to test far more variants of a given tyre, thanks to the speed at which modifying a tyre’s digital twin and immediately testing it can take place. Additionally, this virtual tyre development delivers multiple environmental benefits, as both natural resource use and exhaust emissions are cut, thanks to a lower number of prototypes that need to be produced and tested, the release added. (TT)

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Toyo Tire Corporation said its OPEN COUNTRY H/T tyres have been selected as original equipment for the new Mazda Motor Corporation CX-5 crossover SUV, which went on sale in North America in March 2026.

The tyres supplied for the model are size 225/55R19 99V.

Mazda developed the new CX-5 under the concept of “New Generation Emotional Daily Comfort”, focusing on design, driving performance, interior spaciousness, ride comfort and reduced cabin noise.

Toyo Tire said the OPEN COUNTRY H/T was developed using its Nano Balance Technology material design platform and T-MODE tyre design support technology. The company said the tyres were designed to support the vehicle’s ride comfort and driving stability.

The tyres will be supplied for vehicles sold in North America and other markets.

Vehicle and tyre overview

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Toyo Tires has reinforced its position as a preferred original equipment manufacturer partner for major automotive brands by securing a new agreement to supply tyres for the all-new Toyota Yaris Cross in Malaysia. The 1.5 litre variant of the compact sport utility vehicle will be fitted with the Proxes R61 tyre in size 215/55R18 95V.

The Japanese tyre maker was recently named the sole original equipment tyre supplier for another Toyota model, the all-new Vios Hybrid Electric Vehicle launched in the Malaysian market. That vehicle utilises the Proxes CR1 tyre, continuing a partnership that spans decades of original equipment experience and underscores the confidence automakers place in the brand’s quality, performance and reliability across diverse vehicle segments.

Every original equipment tyre from Toyo Tires is specifically engineered to match the unique characteristics of the vehicle it serves, aiming to optimise comfort and enhance overall driving performance. Whether for daily commutes or longer journeys, each tyre is designed to deliver a refined and confident driving experience.

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NEXEN TIRE has confirmed its original equipment supply of the ROADIAN CTX tyre for Hyundai Motor Company’s new STARIA Electric and STARIA Limousine models. The STARIA Electric, a practical multi-purpose vehicle, features an electric powertrain producing high instant torque, while its increased weight demands superior tire durability and ride quality. The premium STARIA Limousine similarly requires enhanced comfort and stability.

Engineered to meet these challenges, the ROADIAN CTX was developed using NEXEN TIRE’s artificial intelligence-based performance prediction system to optimise ride quality across diverse driving conditions. The tyre provides all-season reliability, blending ride comfort with greater durability and maintains handling and structural strength under high-load, high-torque scenarios. It will be fitted to domestic versions and export vehicles for Europe, Oceania, Latin America, Middle East and Africa.

NEXEN TIRE follows a one-tyre strategy to deliver optimised performance across electric, hybrid and internal combustion powertrains. The company already supplies original equipment for key Hyundai models such as the Palisade, NEXO and IONIQ 6, along with vehicles from other premium global brands. With the Hyundai STARIA addition, NEXEN TIRE has expanded its purpose-built vehicle lineup beyond the Kia PV5.

"With this OE supply, we have demonstrated that our one-tyre strategy for both electric and internal combustion vehicles works in the real market. We will continue working closely with automakers to deliver tyres optimised for every powertrain," said a NEXEN TIRE official.

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Pirelli has outfitted the new BMW iX3 with two unique tyre specifications, each targeting a different driving priority for the electric vehicle. One fitment focuses on sharp, responsive handling, while the other enhances the inherent strengths of an electric drivetrain. Both options fall under the brand’s high-performance P Zero family, which is defined by continuous material innovation.

Engineered for BMW’s inaugural Neue Klasse model, an all-new EV platform, both tyres feature Pirelli Elect technology. This system extends driving range, increases comfort and improves durability through low rolling resistance and bespoke design solutions. The technology directly addresses the specific mechanical demands of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

The P Zero E variant has achieved a triple A rating on the European tyre label and contains over 55 percent sustainable and reclaimed materials. These attributes helped it win the ADI Compasso d’Oro International Award at Expo 2025 in Osaka, a first for any tyre in history. Beyond the award, its construction lowers rolling resistance for better energy use, while reduced cabin noise elevates the quiet ride expected from a zero-emission model.

Meanwhile, the specialised fifth-generation P Zero is built to manage the instant torque delivery of powerful electric motors, preserving stability and precision at higher speeds. An artificial intelligence-developed compound enables shorter braking distances and track-proven cornering grip. This model prioritises raw performance and safety, complementing the P Zero E’s focus on environmental life-cycle management and chassis responsiveness.

Pirelli supplies the P Zero in 20-inch uniform and 21-inch staggered sizes, with the P Zero E offered exclusively in a 22-inch staggered setup. Virtual simulation work at Pirelli’s German development centre and BMW’s Munich driving simulator cut physical prototyping by roughly one third and reduced development time by 30 percent. Both tyres carry BMW’s sidewall star marking, the result of close collaboration with the Munich automaker to maximise the iX3’s overall capability.

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