Volkswagen has chosen Apollo Tyres’ Vredestein Wintrac Pro as the original equipment winter tyre for its Tiguan SUV in Europe. The 215/65 R17 99H tyres will be fitted at VW’s Wolfsburg plant and also sold in the replacement market.

The Wintrac Pro is a high-performance winter tyre with an ‘A’ wet grip rating, 3PMSF certification and a speed index of 210 kmph (H-rated). Its advanced silica-rich compound and optimised tread design with angled grooves and sipes ensure strong traction on snow, ice and wet roads while improving braking and cornering.

Manufactured in Apollo’s Hungary plant, the tyre meets VW’s strict safety standards and enhances the Tiguan’s sporty handling. With low noise (B-rated) and balanced rolling resistance (C-rated), it also improves efficiency and comfort. This partnership strengthens Apollo Tyres’ position as a key OE supplier in Europe.

Yves Pouliquen, Vice President Commercial EMEA, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “The Vredestein Wintrac Pro is an ideal match for the Volkswagen Tiguan, delivering exceptional performance whether on a dry autobahn or navigating snowy alpine roads. We are thrilled to see the Tiguan join the growing list of vehicles equipped with Vredestein tyres as standard, and we look forward to further strengthening our relationship with the Volkswagen Group.”

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Goodyear Tire & Rubber launched its Eagle F1 All-Season, a premium ultra-high-performance tyre designed to deliver year-round capability for drivers who prioritise handling and grip.

The new tyre targets owners of sports cars, performance sedans and premium crossovers, offering what the company describes as exceptional performance in dry, wet and light snow conditions without requiring seasonal tyre changes.

“As one of our most premium performance tyres yet, the Goodyear Eagle F1 All Season is a testament to Goodyear’s commitment to innovation and versatility,” said Jim Reese, Director, Category Strategy and Planning for Goodyear. “We’re proud to offer a tyre that meets the needs of spirited drivers who want precision handling and all-season confidence—without switching tyres.”

The Eagle F1 All-Season features a motorsport-inspired tread pattern and compound designed to enhance durability and treadwear. It includes a built-in wear gauge to help motorists monitor tyre life.

Goodyear emphasised the tyre’s wet braking performance and its ability to deliver what it calls “track-level precision” whilst maintaining a quiet, comfortable ride for everyday driving.

The product is now available through Goodyear’s retail network and authorised dealers across the United States and Canada, expanding the company’s performance segment offering built on more than 50 years of racing heritage.

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Yokohama Rubber has begun supplying its BluEarth-FE AE30 tyres as original equipment for Mitsubishi Motors Corp’s newly launched mini-vehicle, the eK Space.

The Japanese tyre manufacturer is providing 155/65R14 75S size tyres for the compact vehicle, which hit the market in October 2025.

The BluEarth-FE AE30 belongs to Yokohama’s environmentally focused BluEarth global brand, which emphasises being “environmentally, human, and socially friendly”. The fuel-efficient standard tyre offers a balance of performance characteristics, including low noise, comfort and longevity.

Mitsubishi’s eK Space targets a broad demographic with its modern design and spacious interior, combining urban manoeuvrability with passenger comfort.

Yokohama has been expanding its presence in the original equipment market, with its BluEarth technology now featured on various new vehicle models, including sedans, sport utility vehicles, sports cars and compact cars across petrol, hybrid and electric powertrains.

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In a partnership that underscores its commitment to peak performance and bespoke luxury, Hispano Suiza has selected Michelin as the exclusive tyre supplier for its new Carmen Sagrera hypercar. This all-electric model, which commemorates the brand's 120-year heritage, generates a formidable 1,114 horsepower and 1,160 Nm of torque, enabling it to sprint from zero to 100 kmph in a mere 2.6 seconds. To match these extreme dynamic capabilities, a tyre was needed that could perform reliably on both road and track, leading to a close collaboration between the two companies.

The technical centres of Hispano Suiza and Michelin worked in tandem to engineer a custom version of the high-performance Pilot Sport 4S tyre. This specially developed set – 265/30 ZR19 for the front axle and 305/30 ZR20 for the rear – is designed to withstand the unique stresses imposed by the hypercar. Beyond pure engineering, the collaboration also focused on aesthetic and tactile exclusivity. The tyre’s sidewalls feature unique designs inspired by the iconic Hispano Suiza stork emblem and the mosaics of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. Furthermore, they incorporate Michelin's proprietary Velvet Touch technology, which gives the sidewalls a distinctive, plush texture, enhancing the vehicle's bespoke character.

This technical alliance is not a new development but rather the continuation of a relationship that began nearly a century ago, when Hispano Suiza’s prestigious models first rolled on Michelin tyres. Today, this legacy continues as the entire Hispano Suiza fleet is equipped with Michelin, including vehicles presented at exclusive global events like the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Monterey Car Week. The manufacturer also maintains access to Michelin's specialised engineering services, ensuring an ongoing process of refinement and performance optimisation for its vehicles through direct collaboration with the tyre maker's technical experts.

Sergio Martínez Campos, CEO, Hispano Suiza, said, "Tyres are a key component in any vehicle, but even more so in a hypercar with the performance capabilities of the Carmen Sagrera, with 1,114 hp and 1,160 Nm of torque. Thanks to Michelin, our customers can enjoy the magnificent dynamic capabilities across our entire range, both on the track and on the road."

Lorenzo Giovanelli, Director of Original Equipment for Specialised Manufacturers, Michelin, said, "We are delighted to renew our historic partnership with Hispano Suiza through the Carmen Sagrera, a 100 percent electric hypercar that embodies both innovation and tradition. The development of a customised version of our MICHELIN Pilot Sport 4S tyre for this model reflects Michelin's pioneering spirit, which brings technologies developed in motorsport to the most innovative projects. The combination of optimal performance on both the road and the track with exclusive design elements pays tribute to Hispano Suiza's unique heritage. Together, we continue to push the boundaries of technology, safety and driving pleasure."

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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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