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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Sumitomo Rubber Industries has announced that its Thailand-based affiliate will provide original equipment tyres for the newly unveiled Toyota Hilux Travo. The vehicle will be fitted with the specially optimised Dunlop Grandtrek A/T31 tyres.

These tyres were meticulously engineered to meet the demanding and varied conditions the Hilux Travo is expected to encounter. Through enhancements to their shape, internal structure and tread pattern, the tyres achieve a refined balance of travel performance, durability and comfort. A newly developed compound and a unique tread block sequence work in concert to deliver capable on-road and off-road performance while also ensuring quiet operation.

Furthermore, the dedicated tyre design aims for improved fuel efficiency and reliable handling on wet road surfaces.

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Continental said it is supplying a range of summer and winter tyres for Porsche’s all-electric Macan, with the SUV offered with the SportContact 6 for high-performance driving, the CrossContact RX for comfort and all-season use, and the WinterContact TS 860 S for winter conditions.

All tyres feature the XL marking, indicating increased load capacity. The models approved for the Macan carry Porsche’s “NE0” sidewall designation.

The SportContact 6, part of Continental’s ultra-ultra-high-performance segment, is designed for speeds of up to 350 km/h. The company said engineers optimised the compound, tread and construction to deliver “exceptional grip and outstanding safety at high speeds”. The tyre features a newly developed reinforcement structure and a tread designed to maximise force transmission.

The CrossContact RX, aimed at drivers prioritising comfort and reduced road noise, combines a specialised tread and siping design with groove geometry intended to improve water clearance and reduce aquaplaning risk. Depending on specification, it is approved for speeds up to 270 km/h, with Macan-specific versions rated V (up to 240 km/h).

For winter use, Porsche recommends the WinterContact TS 860 S, which Continental said provides “maximum control, stability and driving enjoyment” for sports-oriented vehicles. The tyre is engineered to manage instant torque from electric powertrains and features low rolling resistance to help extend driving range.

Continental supplies original-equipment tyres to most of Porsche’s line-up, including the Taycan, Cayenne and Panamera.

Approved tyre sizes for the Macan include:

• SportContact 6 NE0: 295/40 R21 111Y XL; 255/45 R21 106Y XL
• CrossContact RX NE0: 295/35 R22 108V XL; 255/40 R22 103V XL; 295/40 R21 111V XL; 255/45 R21 106V XL; 285/45 R20 112V XL; 235/55 R20 105V XL
• WinterContact TS 860 S NE0: 295/35 R22 108V XL; 255/40 R22 103V XL; 285/40 R21 109V XL; 255/45 R21 106V XL

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Japan’s Yokohama Rubber is supplying its ADVAN Sport V107 tyres as original equipment for the BMW i3 battery electric vehicle (BEV), which is sold in China and other international markets.

The company said it is providing two tyre configurations for the BMW i3 – a 19-inch set (225/45R19 96Y front and 245/40R19 98Y rear) and an 18-inch set (225/50R18 99Y front and 245/45R18 100Y rear). The model is not sold in Japan.

Part of Yokohama’s global flagship ADVAN range, the Sport V107 is an ultra-high-performance tyre jointly developed with the BMW Group. The tyres feature a specially formulated compound and a revised tread pattern designed to improve dry performance and wear resistance, while achieving the EU’s highest “A” grade for rolling resistance.

Yokohama said it used its proprietary mound profile technology, which evenly distributes surface contact pressure to enhance handling and durability. The tyres’ rigid skeleton structure is aimed at delivering precise steering response suited for high-powered premium vehicles.

As with all tyres approved by BMW, the sidewall of the ADVAN Sport V107 carries the automaker’s star mark, signifying compliance with BMW’s standards for technology, quality and reliability.

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Continental Tire the Americas, LLC has formed a strategic partnership with fleet management platform Fleetio, enabling direct access to Continental and General Tire brands through the digital platform.

The tie-up allows fleet managers using Fleetio’s system to purchase tyres, track usage, and monitor performance data across their operations, with the aim of reducing overall ownership costs.

"Continental is committed to delivering innovative solutions that help fleets operate more efficiently," said Dan Gould, Sr. Commercial Sales Manager, Continental Tire. "By partnering with Fleetio, we're making it easier than ever for fleet operators to access our trusted tire brands and make data-driven decisions that support safety, uptime, and cost savings."

Fleetio's platform handles maintenance scheduling, inspections, fuel tracking and parts management for commercial fleets. The company supports more than one million vehicles across 100-plus countries and processes over 13 million repair orders annually through a network of 110,000 repair shops.

The platform counts AAA, Stanley Steemer and Subaru of America amongst its customer base. Fleetio recently expanded its maintenance shop network into Canada as part of its push into enterprise-level fleet operations.

"We're proud to welcome Continental Tire and General Tire into Fleetio's Maintenance Shop Network," said Kendee Vaughn, Director of Vendor Partnerships at Fleetio. "Together, we're making it easier for fleets to access trusted tire brands through a single, comprehensive platform built for speed, scale, and reliability."

The partnership represents Continental's latest move to integrate digital solutions into its commercial tyre business as fleet operators increasingly seek centralised platforms to manage vehicle operations.

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