Michelin Launches Agilis Crossclimate 2 For Commercial Fleets Amid Rising Road Demands
- By TT News
- June 10, 2025
Michelin North America has introduced its latest commercial all-weather tyre, the Agilis CrossClimate 2, designed to meet the increasing demands of working fleets facing rising maintenance costs and challenging road conditions.
The new tyre aims to deliver enhanced reliability, durability, and all-season performance for commercial light trucks, which are essential to keeping goods and services moving across the country. Michelin said it will launch the tyre in 18 sizes, covering more than 90% of the market segment, with additional sizes to follow in October.
“Michelin recognises the dedication of the workforce that keeps life in motion, and we’ve created a tyre that works just as hard,” said Pierluigi Cumo, Vice President of B2B Marketing at Michelin North America, Inc. “To deliver every job on schedule, customers need a tyre forged with the same strength and resolve as the dedicated individuals whose drive fuels the community they serve. They are the few who drive the many.”
The Agilis CrossClimate 2 features Michelin’s proprietary CurbGard technology, which offers 70 percent more sidewall rubber than the FirestoneTransforce HT2 to resist curb damage. The tyre also promises up to 35 percent more mileage than the Firestone Transforce HT3 and 35 percent better snow traction compared with the Goodyear Wrangler Workhorse HT, according to Michelin internal testing.
Additional performance comes from Michelin’s SipeLock technology, which includes hundreds of biting edges to enhance traction in difficult conditions. The tyre is backed by a 20 percent longer mileage guarantee and a 60-day satisfaction warranty.
“The Michelin Agilis CrossClimate 2 tyre is the equivalent of rolling up your sleeves and powering through a job. It doesn’t take breaks, and it doesn’t back down,” Cumo said. “From the job site to the highway, this tyre doesn’t flinch. The Agilis CrossClimate 2 tyre approaches every task with the precision and pride of a master craftsman.”
Michelin has positioned the Agilis CrossClimate 2 as a strategic product launch for commercial vehicle operators striving to maximise uptime, manage costs, and enhance driver safety in all weather conditions.
Giti Tire has teamed up with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV) to support Challenge4’s ambitious Guinness World Record attempt – visiting the most countries in a zero-emission vehicle using the fully electric VW ID. Buzz.
Spearheading the challenge is Rainer Zietlow, founder of Challenge4 GmbH and an eight-time Guinness World Record holder, known for his focus on endurance, efficiency and sustainable mobility. The journey kicks off on 1 July at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ headquarters in Hannover, Germany, with the first leg covering major European cities. Throughout the expedition, the team will engage with the VW community, media, fans and Giti’s global distributor network. The epic journey will span over 80,000 kilometres across approximately 75 countries in Europe, Central Asia, Oceania, Asia and the Americas, lasting more than eight months.
The ID. Buzz will be equipped with GitiSynergyH2 tyres (235/60 R18 front, 255/55 R18 rear), following Giti’s Original Equipment (OE) agreement with VWCV that began in September 2023. This marks Giti’s first EV tyre nomination in Europe, and the record attempt will serve as a real-world showcase of the company’s advanced EV tyre technology, emphasising durability, safety and sustainability. The AAA-rated GitiSynergyH2 tyres feature an innovative tread compound designed to minimise rolling resistance without sacrificing wear performance or critical safety attributes like wet and dry braking.
Zietlow said, “This is going to be a great adventure and one in which I’m proud to have Giti as my tyre partner of choice.”
Stefan Brohs, Marketing Director – Europe, Giti Tire, said, “This marks the first joint global EV record tour for Rainer which is supported by Giti Tire and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, reinforcing both brands' commitment to innovation and sustainability. This magnificent opportunity allows us to reinforce Giti's leadership in EV tyre technology and amplify our global brand visibility via high-impact storytelling and brand content across global regions. It also strengthens our OE credentials through visible support in a common project, which in turn will help deepen engagement with distributors, dealers and partners around the globe.”
Nexen Tire Opens Flagship Store in Bangkok as Part of Southeast Asia Expansion Drive
- By TT News
- June 25, 2025
South Korean tyre manufacturer Nexen Tire has opened a new flagship brand shop in Bangkok, marking a key milestone in the company’s strategic expansion across Southeast Asia’s rapidly growing automotive market.
The newly renovated store was developed in partnership with a leading Thai tyre distributor that has maintained a decade-long relationship with Nexen Tire and operates more than 800 retail outlets throughout Thailand. The flagship location features a modernised environment designed to showcase Nexen Tire’s global brand identity, with every aspect from layout to customer service aligned with the company’s visual standards and brand philosophy.
The move comes as Southeast Asia’s tyre market shows robust growth potential, with annual demand reaching approximately 90 million units for passenger car radial (PCR) and light truck radial (LTR) tyres and projected annual growth of 3.7%.
Nexen Tire is responding to this opportunity by accelerating its regional investment, particularly in high-growth markets such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The company plans to renew over 80 key retail locations across Southeast Asia by the end of 2025, creating a unified brand presence to support localised sales campaigns.
Recognising the region’s high digital engagement levels, Nexen Tire is also utilising influencer partnerships and digital media to reach younger, mobile-first consumers.
The company’s regional product strategy emphasises high-performance summer tyres and all-terrain models specifically designed for Southeast Asia’s hot, humid, and challenging driving conditions. Key products, including the N’FERA SU4 and ROADIAN ATX, are gaining traction among local motorists seeking durability and performance.
“Our expansion in Southeast Asia represents a pivotal step in NEXEN TIRE’s global growth journey,” said John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, chief executive of Nexen Tire. “While we’ve followed a carefully phased strategy aligned with production capacity and long-term vision, we are now entering a phase of acceleration. Our goal is to solidify our premium brand position not only in Europe and North America but across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Australia through strong local partnerships and a unified brand experience.”
The investment demonstrates Nexen Tire’s long-term confidence in Southeast Asia as the company works towards becoming one of the world’s most recognised and trusted tyre brands.
Pirelli Marks 40 Years of P Zero with Limited-Edition Reissue for Lancia Delta S4
- By TT News
- June 19, 2025
Pirelli has unveiled a limited-edition reissue of its first-ever P Zero tyre to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the iconic brand. Originally launched in 1985 for the Lancia Delta S4 Stradale, the tyre has now been faithfully recreated in a run of just 40 sets.
The re-edition mirrors the original 205/55 R16 specification developed for the road-going version of the Group B rally car. It forms part of the Pirelli Collezione line, which caters to classic vehicles from 1930 to 2000. While the tyre retains its period-correct design, it incorporates modern materials and technology to enhance safety and performance.
Derived from Pirelli’s motorsport expertise, the original P Zero was notable for its asymmetric tread pattern—a distinctive mix of features for wet, dry, and mixed conditions. “The inner shoulder, with grooves like wet-weather tyres, ensured grip on wet roads. The outer shoulder, inspired by slick tyres, provided traction in dry conditions. The central part of the tread adopted some of the hallmarks of intermediate tyres, balancing the two extremes,” Pirelli noted.
In parallel with the anniversary edition, Pirelli also highlighted the launch of the fifth-generation P Zero, tailored to meet the demands of modern high-performance and electric vehicles. Developed using artificial intelligence and virtual modelling, the latest iteration boasts improved handling and shorter braking distances.
Available in sizes ranging from 18 to 23 inches, the fifth-generation P Zero already includes over 50 variants and continues to serve as a benchmark across the premium and prestige automotive segments.
The P Zero brand has evolved into a cornerstone of Pirelli’s high-performance offering over the past four decades, adapting to key industry trends including electrification and digital integration, while maintaining its commitment to performance and safety.
Toyo Tire has created a new corporate film featuring the key message “Blaze BLUE” to capture the world perspective and values the company’s TOYO TIRES brand seeks to convey.
The film showcases a Ford F-150 Raptor equipped with the company’s OPEN COUNTRY R/T Pro tyres for pickup trucks and SUVs driving across rugged terrain in the United States, Toyo Tire’s core market.
The message “Blaze BLUE” evokes the image of fearless challengers taking on daunting terrain, roads and new endeavours with determination, the company said. The film incorporates Toyo Tire’s blue corporate colour throughout its aesthetic.
The dynamic footage of the truck crossing dramatic landscapes aims to capture what Toyo Tire describes as the frontier spirit at the heart of the company, embodied in the group’s brand statement, “Open Roads Await.”
The new corporate film will be featured on a special Blaze BLUE page on Toyo Tire’s corporate website and the company’s official social media channels.
Toyo Tire, based in Itami City, Hyogo Prefecture, is led by president and chief executive Takashi Shimizu. The company said it will continue to support those who pursue their chosen path while developing innovative tyres.
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