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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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has confirmed its GEOLANDAR A/T G94 tyres will serve as original equipment for Toyota Motor Corporation’s newly launched Land Cruiser FJ SUV. This latest model in the Land Cruiser series debuted worldwide, with the tyres fitted to vehicles sold across Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and Africa. Japanese-market FJ models will not receive this tyre.

Designed as an all-terrain SUV tyre, the GEOLANDAR A/T G94 balances fuel efficiency, comfort, safety and utility performance on varied road surfaces. The GEOLANDAR brand has a proven record on several Toyota SUVs, including the recent supply of the A/T G31 for the Land Cruiser 250 series and the 4Runner.

Under its Yokohama Transformation 2026 medium-term plan (2024–2026), Yokohama Rubber’s consumer tyre division aims to raise sales ratios of high-value-added products. A key initiative includes promoting flagship ADVAN and GEOLANDAR brand tyres for SUVs and pickup trucks as original equipment on new vehicles.

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NEXEN TIRE has expanded its original equipment tyre supply for the Kia all-new Seltos into North America and Europe, following an earlier rollout for the Korean market in March with the N’PRIZ S and N’FERA AU7.

For North America, the company provides the N’PRIZ S in a 16-inch fitment for United States and Canada. This tyre is designed for electric, hybrid and combustion vehicles, emphasising mileage performance and ride comfort. In Europe, including Germany, France and the Netherlands, NEXEN TIRE supplies summer tyres across multiple sizes. The N’FERA Primus comes in 16- and 18-inch fitments, offering high-speed stability and wet braking, while the 19-inch N’FERA Sport delivers ultra-high-performance capability validated in European tyre tests.

This regional strategy highlights NEXEN TIRE’s ability to tailor OE solutions for a single vehicle model across different markets. The manufacturer continues to grow its global OE portfolio, covering mass-market SUVs to premium brands.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, "This OE supply for the all-new Seltos goes beyond simply increasing volume – it demonstrates NEXEN TIRE's ability to deliver products tailored to the specific road conditions and consumer needs of each market. We will continue to strengthen partnerships with global automakers and expand our market-optimised OE supply going forward."

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has confirmed the supply of its ADVAN FLEVA V701 tyres as original equipment for Honda Motor Co., Ltd.’s new compact electric vehicle. The Super-ONE, launched in Japan in May 2026 with a gradual rollout planned for United Kingdom and several Asian markets, uses the tyre in size 185/55R15 82V.

Engineered under the ADVAN brand’s philosophy of delivering driving enjoyment, the sporty high-performance tyre provides sharp handling across city streets, winding roads and highways. The EV is marketed under different names regionally, including Super-ONE in Japan and Asia & Oceania, Honda Super-ONE in select Asia & Oceania countries and Super-N in  UK.

Honda developed the Super-ONE to combine everyday usability and environmental performance with a unique fun-to-drive character. By engaging all driver senses through sporty handling only a small EV can offer, the model aims to deliver an exciting and uplifting driving experience.

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Yokohama Rubber has begun supplying its ADVAN V61 and GEOLANDAR X-CV tyres as original equipment for the new Trailseeker battery electric sport utility vehicle developed by Subaru Corporation.

The vehicle, known as the E-Outback in Europe, was first unveiled in the United States in April 2025.

Tyres supplied for the Japanese and European markets are ADVAN V61 in size 235/60R18 103H, while North American models are fitted with GEOLANDAR X-CV tyres in size 235/50R20 100V.

The ADVAN V61 is a summer SUV tyre within Yokohama Rubber’s flagship ADVAN range. According to the company, it combines fuel and energy efficiency with handling stability and low noise levels.

The GEOLANDAR X-CV is a highway terrain tyre that meets the M+S (mud and snow) standard. Yokohama Rubber said the tyre was designed to deliver high-speed performance and drivability while balancing safety, comfort, durability and fuel efficiency.

Both tyre models supplied for the Trailseeker carry Yokohama Rubber’s proprietary “E+” mark on the sidewall, indicating technologies intended to address the requirements of electrified vehicles, including durability, quietness and energy efficiency.

Yokohama Rubber said the tyres were developed using HAICoLab, its artificial intelligence-based development framework designed to combine human input with data-driven analysis.

The Trailseeker is Subaru’s new battery electric SUV designed to combine BEV driving performance with utility for both daily and recreational use.

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