NEXEN TIRE has been selected as a key original equipment supplier for KIA's strategic family electric SUV, the EV5. The company is equipping this core model with two of its premium tyres, tailoring the selection to specific regional markets. For North America and Korea, the all-season ROADIAN GTX SUV tyre has been chosen, while the European-market vehicles will feature the N’FERA SPORT, an ultra-high-performance summer tyre designed for high-speed stability and braking. This strategic decision reflects the distinct driving environments and consumer needs in each region.

A critical focus in developing these tyres was addressing the unique demands of electric vehicles. NEXEN TIRE employed its proprietary torque steer pattern design to counteract the pulling sensation that can occur during sudden acceleration in high-torque EVs. Furthermore, the tyre construction optimises stiffness distribution to maximise the road contact area, thereby enhancing traction and minimising wheel slip. Special attention was also paid to noise reduction through an intricate in-out multi-sequence design that effectively disperses driving noise, a particularly important feature for the quiet cabin of an electric vehicle.

This partnership on the Kia EV5 underscores the industry's recognition of NEXEN TIRE's technological and quality capabilities. The company has now established itself as a supplier across KIA’s entire key electric vehicle lineup, from the EV3 to the EV9, demonstrating consistent performance for both electric and traditional internal combustion engine models.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, “Supplying OE tyres for the KIA EV5 proves that our products deliver reliable performance for the era of electric vehicles. We will strengthen our global market position through an integrated production strategy and maintain our excellent performance without distinction between EVs and ICE vehicles.”

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Giti Tire has expanded its AdvanZtech EV Ready line with the launch of the GitiWinterW2, its first winter tyre designed for electric, hybrid and conventional vehicles. The company said the new model is now available for ordering for the 2025/26 winter season.

The GitiWinterW2 will be offered in 17 sizes ranging from 15- to 20-inch rims. All products carry the AdvanZtech EV Ready sidewall mark, indicating suitability for internal combustion vehicles as well as mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery-electric models.

The range is intended to cover a wide span of the European car parc, from small cars such as the Fiat 500e to larger vehicles including the Tesla Model 3, Volkswagen Tiguan and Volvo XC60 PHEV. Giti said each tyre has been tuned for EV-specific demands such as torque management, while maintaining low rolling resistance and strong performance on snow and wet roads.

The manufacturer highlighted three core attributes for the GitiWinterW2: a quiet and comfortable ride, strong safety characteristics and precise control in winter conditions.

The winter tyre joins the GitiSportS2 and GitiSynergyH2 summer patterns in the EV Ready strategy first announced in August 2024. All three products were developed using Giti’s AdvanZtech R&D framework at its European Research & Development Centre in Hannover, Germany.

Fabio Pecci-Boriani, Deputy General Manager for Product Planning PCR and LTR at Giti Tire’s European R&D Centre, said the company aimed to give both drivers and dealers greater clarity as electrification reshapes the market. “The Giti brand was among the first in the mid-market to introduce an EV ready concept, ensuring maximum flexibility and product clarity for dealers and peace of mind for drivers.”

He added that winter conditions pose specific challenges for electrified cars. “As is proven winter can have an impact on the performance of part-electric and electric vehicles with lower temperatures reducing battery range and immediate torque levels being tricky on slippery roads, the Giti AdvanZtech EV ready GitiWinterW2 goes a long way to addressing these issues.”

Giti said its EV Ready strategy remains a central pillar of its European product plans as the shift towards hybrid and battery-electric vehicles accelerates.

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Yokohama Rubber Co. has started supplying its BluEarth-FE AE30 tyres as original equipment for Nissan Motor’s new Roox mini-vehicle, marking the latest step in the Japanese tyre maker’s push to expand its presence in the small-car market.

The Roox, launched this year, will use the BluEarth-FE AE30 in the 155/65R14 75S size on selected grades. The model is part of Yokohama’s broader BluEarth range, which the company says is built around the idea of being “environmentally, human, and socially friendly”.

Yokohama said the tyre delivers strong fuel efficiency along with balanced performance in areas such as noise reduction, ride comfort and durability—factors that remain key for carmakers looking to improve efficiency while meeting consumer expectations.

Nissan has positioned the new Roox as a safer and more comfortable mini-vehicle, equipped with features including the Intelligent Around View Monitor, which offers moving-object detection and a 3D view to help drivers navigate tight spaces with confidence.

For Yokohama, the latest supply deal adds to a growing list of fitments across petrol, hybrid and electric models. The company has been extending its BluEarth technology across sedans, SUVs, sports cars and compact cars as part of its strategy to strengthen ties with global automakers.

Yokohama said it will continue to expand development of tyres using its BluEarth technology as it pursues stronger factory-fit relationships in Japan and overseas.

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Hyundai has selected Continental's PremiumContact C tyre as original equipment for its all-electric Hyundai IONIQ 9 SUV. This 21-inch tyre carries an XL marking, signifying its enhanced load capacity, a critical feature for supporting the substantial weight of an electric SUV. The design includes a rim protection rib to help prevent damage to the vehicle's wheels.

As a premium summer tyre developed for robust SUVs, the PremiumContact C combines safety, comfort and durability. Its more robust construction directly addresses the need for a higher load-bearing capacity. An innovative tread pattern, which incorporates adaptive sipe technology, is central to its performance, providing precise handling and reliable grip on both dry and wet road surfaces, even under full load. Furthermore, an extended contact patch promotes optimal pressure distribution against the road, contributing to shorter braking distances and reduced rolling noise.

A key feature for the IONIQ 9 is the integration of ContiSilent technology. This innovation actively dampens road noise within the passenger cabin, reducing intrusive sound levels by up to nine decibels for a noticeably quieter and more comfortable driving experience. This specific tyre line, sized 285/45 R21 113 V XL FR ContiSilent, has received original equipment approval for the vehicle across numerous global markets.

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Hankook Tire has been chosen as the original equipment manufacturer for the Volkswagen Tiguan and Tayron SUV models, fitting them with its Ventus evo SUV tyre. This partnership covers a wide range of specifications, with six different tyre sizes from 17 to 20 inches available for the immensely popular Tiguan and five sizes for the five or seven-seater Tayron crossover. A key identifier for these specially developed tyres is a circled plus sign on the sidewall, signifying they are built to Volkswagen’s precise standards and are approved for factory installation on new vehicles.

The collaborative development process, centred at the Hankook Tire Technology Center in Hannover, prioritised a harmonious blend of comfort and dynamic performance. A major focus throughout the design phase was achieving the lowest possible noise level. Through meticulous tread design and an innovative compound in the tread material, the Ventus evo SUV attains a noise level below 66 decibels. This performance is crucial, as it helps the overall vehicle meet Volkswagen's strict maximum noise requirement of 68 decibels, significantly enhancing cabin quietness.

Further technical hallmarks of these premium tyres include Opti Pitch and Kerf designs, which work to minimise road noise. The implementation of Dual Pitch technology varies the number of tread blocks on the inner and outer sections of the tyre, a feature that enhances steering precision during cornering while also contributing to a quieter ride. Engineers carefully calibrated the tread height to ensure these acoustic benefits do not come at the expense of critical performance areas such as traction, braking, cornering stability or the tyre’s overall lifespan.

Final validation of the Ventus evo SUV involved rigorous testing that extended beyond laboratory simulations to demanding real-world tracks, including the challenging Nürburgring Nordschleife. This extensive testing protocol confirmed the capabilities of all tyre sizes. Furthermore, Hankook tailored the driving character of the tyres by size; the 17-, 18- and 19-inch variants are engineered for superior comfort, while the 20-inch version offers a distinctly sportier feel. Production for the European market is handled at Hankook’s manufacturing facility in Rácalmás, Hungary.

Klaus Krause, Vice President and Head of Europe Technical Centre at Hankook Tire, said, “The provision of original equipment for the two SUV models Tiguan and Tayron is further proof that the Volkswagen Group considers Hankook Tire one of its top development partners in the tyre sector. We have succeeded in perfectly matching our premium summer tyre, Ventus evo SUV, in every tyre size to the driving characteristics of the two models and achieved our goal of combining the requirements for high comfort over long distances with a sporty character.”

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