Bridgestone will be using GoCardless to power payments for its tyre subscription service MOBOX in the UK.

MOBOX, which recently launched in the UK, is an all-inclusive monthly subscription service offering new tyres alongside other vehicle-related services, at an affordable price per month. Already available in France, Germany, Italy and Spain, MOBOX will provide the services to UK drivers.

MOBOX customers in the UK can pay via GoCardless for a frictionless payment experience.  And, thanks to the end-to-end integration of the GoCardless API, Bridgestone will have access to real-time information on the status of mandates and payments - in turn, reducing costs and time spent on administration. 

GoCardless research shows that almost half (48%) of UK consumers say bank debit is their favoured payment method for recurring payments. It's also clear that consumer behaviour is shifting to a subscription-based model. Zuora's 'End of Ownership Report' highlights three quarters (74%) of consumers believe people will subscribe to more services and own fewer physical goods in the future.

Another concern for subscription businesses is involuntary churn, typically caused by failed credit and debit card payments. It's estimated that 30% of all churn is involuntary, which is even more reason to choose a payment provider that can help reduce failure rates as low as possible. GoCardless' latest Payment Success Index highlights payments collected on an instalment basis have an average failure rate of 4.9% - compared to invoice payments (3.1%) and subscriptions (2.2%). Any failed transactions on the GoCardless payment gateway will be managed by our payment intelligence tool, Success+.

Andrea Manenti, Vice President, North Region,  Bridgestone said: "The growing global popularity for the service economy provides us with a great opportunity to diversify our customer offering and bring added convenience. We want to provide our customers with the best service at every point in their journey with Bridgestone - from premium products and solutions to the way they pay.

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Hankook Tire has confirmed that its associate brand, Laufenn, will supply the second-generation S FIT2 summer performance tyre as original equipment for the Škoda Octavia. The Octavia is a cornerstone model for the Czech automaker under the Volkswagen Group, developed on the modular MQB platform and generating steady European demand. This agreement marks Laufenn’s first original equipment partnership with a European manufacturer, signalling the brand’s entry into the OE sector.

The S FIT2 was developed through close technical collaboration with Škoda to align precisely with the Octavia’s performance requirements. Supplied in a 17-inch size, the tyre delivers stable handling, showcasing Hankook’s engineering capability in OE development. Designed for Europe’s varied climate, the S FIT2 secures reliable stopping power and control through optimised grip and drainage while improving efficiency and mileage over its predecessor.

A high content silica compound and optimised tread block design reduce wet braking distances by approximately 16 percent. Four wide straight grooves enhance water evacuation for superior handling on rain slicked surfaces. An optimised structural design maintains grip on hot asphalt while minimising vibration and noise for a quiet urban ride. A next generation polymer compound extends mileage by roughly 15 percent.

Laufenn shares Hankook Tire’s global top tier technology and rigorous quality system. Since its 2014 debut at the SEMA Show in United States, the brand has expanded across international markets with a complete lineup for passenger cars, SUVs, trucks and buses, reflecting regional driving conditions and customer lifestyles.

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has initiated original equipment supply of its GEOLANDAR X-CV tyres for Subaru’s new Uncharted (US model) SUV-type battery electric vehicle (BEV), which was launched in North America in December 2025. The specified tyre size for this application is 235/50R20 100V.

The GEOLANDAR X-CV is engineered as a modern highway terrain tyre with M+S certification, prioritising responsive drivability and high-speed capability. Its design seeks an integrated balance of safety, comfort, durability and fuel efficiency. Tailored for electrified vehicles, these tyres bear Yokohama’s proprietary ‘E+’ sidewall engraving, signifying enhanced attributes in durability, quietness and energy conservation. This development was facilitated by the company’s HAICoLab framework, an AI-driven platform that combines human creativity with advanced data processing to accelerate digital innovation.

This supply agreement aligns with the strategic goals outlined in Yokohama Transformation 2026, the company’s medium-term management plan running through 2026. A core initiative of this strategy is to increase the proportion of high-value-added tyre sales by expanding original equipment placement for key global brands. This includes actively promoting both the flagship ADVAN line and the GEOLANDAR series for SUVs and pickup trucks on new vehicles worldwide.

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NEXEN TIRE has been selected to supply original equipment tyres for the Renault FILANTE, a crossover model from Renault Korea that merges sedan comfort with SUV practicality. The chosen tyre is the ROADIAN GTX, an all-season model engineered for SUVs and crossover utility vehicles, fitted in a 19-inch specification. Its zigzag tread pattern across a wide contact patch promotes even pressure distribution for stable handling, while a precision load distribution structure boosts road grip. Additionally, a low noise optimised block arrangement delivers the quiet ride that electrified vehicles require.

Hybrid vehicles like the FILANTE, which features Renault Korea’s latest hybrid powertrain, place high technical demands on tyres due to the combined use of an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. NEXEN TIRE’s selection proves its ability to provide solutions for various powertrain types. The supply covers not only domestic Korean sales but also export models heading to Latin America and the Middle East.

This collaboration builds on a growing partnership with Renault Korea, following OE fitment for the Grand Koleos midsize SUV launched in 2024. Since entering the overseas OE market in 2012, NEXEN TIRE has become a key supplier to global automakers. From 2016 onward, the company has continued to demonstrate its technological strengths by partnering with numerous premium global brands across Europe and beyond.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, "We are continuously advancing our tyre technology to keep pace with the next generation of mobility, where electrification and artificial intelligence are converging. We will further strengthen our strategic partnerships with global automakers to solidify our presence in international markets and enhance the company's overall value."

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Yokohama Rubber  has begun supplying its Geolandar X-CV tyres as original equipment for Toyota Motor Corporation’s new battery electric C-HR SUV, launched in North America this month.

The vehicle is being fitted with 235/50R20 100V size tyres. Part of a new generation of highway terrain equipment, the Geolandar X-CV is designed to balance high-speed performance and drivability with safety, comfort and fuel efficiency.

The tyres supplied for the C-HR feature Yokohama’s "E+" mark, indicating technology tailored to the specific requirements of electrified vehicles, such as increased durability and reduced road noise.

Development was conducted through HAICoLab, the company’s proprietary artificial intelligence framework. The system aims to merge human creativity with data processing to accelerate digital innovation in tire design.

The Geolandar X-CV is already used across several models in Toyota’s electric lineup, including the Lexus RZ and the bZ in North America.

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