Bridgestone Secures Exclusive Tyre Supplier Role for Formula E from 2026

Bridgestone Secures Exclusive Tyre Supplier Role for Formula E from 2026

Bridgestone has been designated the sole tyre supplier for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship starting in the 2026-2027 season. This agreement, covering seasons 2026-2027 through 2029-2030, is a pivotal move in the company’s global motorsports strategy, emphasising sustainability.

Chosen by the FIA, Bridgestone’s role as the exclusive tyre provider for Formula E underscores the company’s commitment to driving sustainable technology and fostering innovation. This partnership will enable Bridgestone to refine and develop technologies that contribute to sustainability, from the production and usage of tyres to their renewal into raw materials.

The Formula E collaboration marks a crucial step for Bridgestone, aligning its motorsports efforts with a sustainable vision for the future. 

“Motorsports is Bridgestone’s passion. Always has been and always will be. I am delighted to be able to announce our return to an FIA World Championship this year as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of our motorsports activities. Carrying on our 60-year legacy in motorsports, we are very excited about being the FIA’s sole tire supplier for Formula E from the 2026 -2027 season. Sharing the passion to race and the passion to win, Bridgestone has empowered the best performance of cars, drivers and teams in racing conditions by repeatedly taking on the ultimate challenges while ensuring safety and peace of mind based on our fundamental principle, ’ tyres carry life’. This ‘ultimate challenge’, as we call “challenge for excellence”, is our origin as a tire manufacturer and shaped the foundation of our premium tire business. As we face our next stage, Bridgestone aims to evolve sustainable global premium motorsports products with our enduring passion to embrace the ultimate challenge and to pursue excellence in every moment. The core of our supply arrangement with the FIA will be the expansion and enhancement of ‘ENLITEN’ tyre product technology, enabling ‘ultimate customisation’ that we define as our ‘new premium in the EV era’. I am looking forward to starting our activities in Formula E from the 2026 – 2027 season.” said Shu Ishibashi, Global CEO and Representative Executive Officer of Bridgestone Corporation.  

New GAC Trumpchi M8 Minivan To Run On Yokohama BluEarth-XT AE61 Tyres

New GAC Trumpchi M8 Minivan To Run On Yokohama BluEarth-XT AE61 Tyres

The Yokohama Rubber Company has commenced the supply of its BluEarth-XT AE61 tyres as original equipment for the newly launched GAC Trumpchi M8 plug-in hybrid minivan, which entered the Chinese market in November 2025. These tyres, sized at 225/60R18 104V, are designed to deliver a harmonious blend of performance, comfort and environmental consideration. Drawing on the core design and material innovations of Yokohama’s BluEarth brand, the tyre incorporates an asymmetrical tread pattern and a high-rigidity profile. This construction is engineered to mitigate sway and uneven tread wear, issues commonly associated with vehicles that have a raised centre of gravity, thereby ensuring stability and durability.

The GAC Trumpchi M8 represents a premium entry in the minivan segment, distinguished by its advanced plug-in hybrid system that provides an electric-only range of up to 106 kilometres according to WLTC standards. Its features extend to autonomous driving capabilities and a luxuriously appointed interior, aligning with modern expectations for high-end mobility.

Yokohama Rubber continues to advance its BluEarth tyre series, which is designed with a focus on environmental harmony and user-centric performance. These tyres are increasingly selected as original equipment for a diverse range of new vehicles, encompassing traditional petrol models, hybrids and fully electric cars across various categories, including sedans, SUVs, sports cars and compact vehicles. This ongoing adoption underscores the company’s commitment to providing tyre solutions that meet the evolving demands of the automotive industry.

All-Electric BMW iX3 To Run On NEXEN N’FERA Sport Tyre

All-Electric BMW iX3 To Run On NEXEN N’FERA Sport Tyre

NEXEN TIRE has secured a new partnership with BMW, supplying its high-performance N’FERA Sport tyre as original equipment for the all-electric BMW iX3. The N’FERA Sport model is engineered to deliver superior grip and responsiveness. Key design elements include a specifically engineered tread pattern and block design that work together to enhance handling and stability at high speeds, as well as an optimised longitudinal groove configuration that significantly improves water drainage for reliable wet traction. Furthermore, a specialised tread compound boosts both grip and braking power, while reinforced sidewalls bolster cornering stability and overall control at higher velocities.

This agreement with a prominent premium manufacturer underscores NEXEN TIRE’s expanding footprint in the original equipment market. Since it first began supplying global carmakers in 2012, the company has rapidly diversified its client portfolio and now counts the BMW Group among its key partners. This consistent growth is underpinned by a strong commitment to research and development. Demonstrating this focus, the company recently became the first in its domestic industry to implement a high-tech dynamic driving simulator, a move that accelerates the creation of next-generation virtual tyre technology.

Alongside advancements in product engineering, NEXEN TIRE is bolstering its manufacturing precision through an artificial intelligence-powered automated inspection system. By integrating AI and virtual reality tools across both development and production, the company aims to elevate quality control and further solidify its collaborative relationships with automotive partners worldwide.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, “By strengthening our R&D efforts and enhancing collaboration with global automakers, we will continue to deliver premium products to customers worldwide.”

Toyo Tires Proxes CR1 Chosen As Original Equipment For All-New Perodua Traz

Toyo Tires Proxes CR1 Chosen As Original Equipment For All-New Perodua Traz

Toyo Tires has announced that its Proxes CR1 tyre has been selected as the official Original Equipment fitment for the all-new Perodua Traz. This partnership begins with the vehicle's 1.5 (X/H) variant, which rolls off the line equipped with 215/60R17 Proxes CR1 tyres in Malaysia, engineered to perfectly match the vehicle's comfort-driven character.

Through the application of Toyo Tires’ advanced T-Mode and Nano Balance Technology, the Proxes CR1 delivers on its promise of refined comfort and confident performance from the first drive. The optimised tread design ensures smooth responsiveness and reassuring stability while actively reducing road noise. Drivers benefit from reliable grip and stable handling across both wet and dry conditions, contributing to an efficient and secure journey.

As a leader in the market, Toyo Tires offers the Proxes CR1 and CR1 SUV as its most comprehensive range in Malaysia, catering to a wide variety of passenger cars and SUVs with sizes available from 14 to 20 inches.

Dunlop Selected As OE Tyre Supplier For New Toyota C-HR+ BEV

Dunlop Selected As OE Tyre Supplier For New Toyota C-HR+ BEV

Dunlop (company name: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.) has commenced supply of its Dunlop SP SPORT MAXX 060 and e. SPORT MAXX tyres as original equipment for Toyota Motor Corporation’s new C-HR+, an all-electric vehicle launched in Europe in December 2025. This BEV model combines a stylish design with an expansive cabin and achieves a greater driving range than previous versions through enhancements including modified battery cells.

The supplied tyres contribute directly to this improved range by utilising a new tread rubber compound that lowers rolling resistance. They also provide a quieter ride, a benefit of their optimised tread pattern design. In addition to delivering strong steering stability and wet grip performance, the tyres feature the proprietary Nano Black technology. This technique produces a deeper, richer black on the sidewalls, enhancing the visibility of the Dunlop branding and lending a more premium aesthetic to the vehicle.