Bridgestone Americas secured two prestigious awards from Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) at its annual supplier ceremony.

The accolades, presented in the Excellent Value Improvement and Excellent Technology and Development categories, recognise Bridgestone’s commitment to collaboration and innovation, the tyre company said.

“Providing quality and innovative solutions to our OE partners is critical to our success,” said David Colletti, President of Consumer Original Equipment Tires, North America, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations. “This recognition is a testament to our teammates’ dedication to fostering a collaborative, long-standing partnership with Toyota by delivering advanced solutions that continue to exceed their standards for value and technology.”

“Toyota collaborates with each of our supplier partners in order to build vehicles with high safety, quality and reliability standards to meet and exceed our customers’s expectations,” said Robert Young, Group Vice President of TMNA R&D Purchasing Supplier Development. “We are pleased to recognise those in our supply base who exceed our high performance targets. We thank them and their team members for their tremendous collaboration, partnership, and commitment to continuous improvement.”

TMNA holds an annual event to honour its supplier partners who consistently exceed expectations. Bridgestone’s dual recognition this year underscores its dedication to working closely with Toyota and continually improving its products and service.

CUPRA has selected Hankook Tire’s Ventus evo SUV tyres as original equipment (OE) for its new CUPRA Terramar SUV. The premium summer tyre is available in three different sizes from 18 to 20 inches for the sporty SUV.

Every tyre variant for the CUPRA Terramar underwent a rigorous testing programme to ensure optimal performance in every size, whether it was on the test bed, a rough, vibrating track or in the endurance test on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. High driving comfort is the goal of the 18-inch and 19-inch variants, while the top CUPRA Terramar models, with optional high-performance plug-in hybrid technology, can be equipped with the 20-inch Ventus evo SUV upon request. Every tyre has the CUPRA original equipment symbol ('+') on the sidewall, and replacement dealers will also sell them.

Produced exclusively at the company's ultra-modern European site at Rácalmás, Hungary, the tyre features quiet rolling characteristics thanks to its thoughtfully engineered tread design as well as the careful mix of tread materials. The CUPRA Terramar's maximum total noise level is 68 dB, while the Ventus evo SUV's noise level of less than 66 dB is even lower than CUPRA's own manufacturer's standard. The Ventus evo SUV's technological characteristics include the Kerf design, which reduces noise, and the Opti Pitch technology, which is designed to maximise tread block size and placement. In addition to taking into consideration the needs for a low-noise tread pattern, Dual Pitch technology guarantees the ideal number of blocks on the inside and outside of the tread for optimal steering precision when cornering. In order to minimise noise without sacrificing traction, braking performance, cornering stability or maximum mileage, the tread height was also changed.

Klaus Krause, Vice President and Head of Europe Technical Centre, Hankook, said, “With the Terramar, CUPRA is showing that family friendliness and sporty performance can go hand in hand. It is a perfect match for our Ventus evo SUV premium summer tyre, which masterfully transfers the engine performance and sporty handling to the road. The collaborative partnership with CUPRA on the tyre development is reflected in the optimum match for each tyre size. This enabled us to make an essential contribution to the sporty performance of the latest addition to the CUPRA family.”

Chinese automaker Zeekr has selected Continental's PremiumContact 6 tyres as original equipment (OE) for its Zeekr 001 electric sedan. The sedan will be fitted with 265/40 R22 106V XL FR size tyre, specially designed for dynamic and responsive handling while providing safety and comfort.

The tyres refined design guarantees control and strong cornering stability at higher speeds, while its superior grip performance guarantees efficient power transmission to the road. The tread's shape enables both precision steering and a fast reaction. Excellent safety and braking performance on both wet and dry roads are guaranteed by the unique silica rubber compound, which is made for safe driving in all weather situations. Additionally, the reduced rolling resistance contributes to longer battery life of the vehicle. Even on damp roads, the tyre provides excellent safety qualities, accurate handling and short stopping distances.

Continental's PremiumContact 6 tyre has been selected as original equipment (OE) by US car manufacturer Cadillac for its LYRIQ-V. The electric SUV will be factory-fitted with the premium tyre in size 22 inches.

At higher speeds, the PremiumContact 6's refined design offers control and strong cornering stability, and its superior grip performance guarantees that power is delivered to the road efficiently. Fast reaction and accurate steering are made possible by the circumferential groove design. The tyre's unique silica rubber formula ensures superior braking on both wet and dry roads, making it designed for safe driving in all weather situations. Furthermore, the reduced rolling resistance contributes to the vehicle’s longer battery life. The tyre also provides precise handling, low stopping distances and exceptional wet-weather qualities.

The main goals of Continental's tyre development are low rolling resistance, minimal rolling noise and high mileage. The tyre is safe, comfortable and made for dynamic, responsive driving. These characteristics are especially advantageous for electric vehicles like the LYRIQ-V. The tyres are made to handle the added weight of electric vehicles brought on by the battery because of their higher load index.

Global leading tyre company Hankook Tire & Technology (Hankook Tire) and renowned German luxury mobility brand BRABUS have unveiled a new brand film titled ‘Electrified, Hankook iON & BRABUS’. The video emphasises the two businesses' mutual love of cutting-edge technology and creative design principles for future transportation.

With this alliance, Hankook Tire and BRABUS are further solidifying their premium brand status. The two businesses are spearheading the electrification revolution in mobility with Hankook's world-first complete range of electric vehicle tyres, ‘iON’, and BRABUS's proficiency in customising high-performance electric vehicles. The iON evo SUV tyre consistently supports the fast, dynamic manoeuvrability of BRABUS cars by providing outstanding grip and accurate handling on both wet and dry track surfaces. Even in the busiest driving situations, it flawlessly muffles all road noise, greatly boosting the immersive feeling portrayed in the movie.

In the video, a BRABUS-customised Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 with Hankook Tire's iON evo SUV tyres exhibits exceptional driving capabilities on Germany's renowned Circuit Meppen circuit. Last year, in anticipation of its role as an Official BRABUS Technology Partner, Hankook Tire released a 10-second teaser video that garnered a lot of international attention before the full-length release. Hankook Tire's official worldwide YouTube and Instagram accounts now feature the whole brand film.