The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has announced that Yokohama Tire Corporation (YTC), a US subsidiary, will provide ADVAN racing tyres as the control tyre for the new Mustang Cup series that has been approved by the United States Auto Club (USAC). Beginning in April, the series will take place in the US. YTC will provide ADVAN A005 tyres for dry weather and ADVAN A006 tyres for wet conditions.

Ford Performance, the racing subsidiary of the Ford Motor Company, is launching a new series of entry-level events for beginner racers and amateur racing enthusiasts called the Mustang Cup. Participants will have the chance to improve their racing abilities through the Mustang Cup series, which also offers progression into Mustang Challenge, Mustang GT4 and the higher level Mustang GT3. The Ford Performance-engineered Mustang Dark Horse R will compete in the Mustang Cup series. Louisiana will host the first event in the series, which will feature six races spread across six US states.

Together with Ford Performance, Yokohama Rubber will assist the Ford Mustang GT3 vehicles of the German racing team Haupt Racing Team in the Nürburgring 24-Hour Race (ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring), one of the world's premier endurance events, in addition to providing the control tyre for the Mustang Cup. This will be the first time Ford Performance has competed in the Nürburgring 24-Hour Race since 2019 and the first time Yokohama Rubber and Ford Performance have worked together since 2012.

In order to increase awareness and fortify the brand power of its ADVAN tyres in the North American market, Yokohama Rubber is supporting high-end sports vehicle one-make racing series. The Porsche Carrera Cup North America, which is regarded as one of the quickest one-make races in the world, is one of the other one-make racing series to which Yokohama Rubber is supplying its ADVAN racing tyres in addition to the new Mustang Cup series.

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Continental has secured original equipment tyre supply for the new Audi Q3 compact SUV, delivering a comprehensive portfolio engineered for diverse seasonal demands. The German manufacturer’s approvals encompass a full range of summer, all-season and winter tyres, spanning wheel diameters from 17 to 20 inches to suit varying driver preferences and regional climates.

For warm-weather performance, Audi has approved the EcoContact 6 Q summer tyre, which prioritises energy efficiency through a specialised rubber formulation and an optimised tread pattern that lowers rolling resistance. This model also demonstrates reduced acoustic emissions and dependable stopping power on both wet and dry pavement and is available for the Q3 in 18-, 19- and 20-inch variants.

Addressing the need for year-round versatility, the ProContact TX10 all-season tyre offers balanced traction across changing weather conditions, including reliable wet braking and moderate snow grip. This tyre is specifically certified for the United States and Canadian markets and comes in the same 18- to 20-inch range as its summer counterpart.

For harsh winter environments, the WinterContact TS 870 P is recommended, featuring a novel tread design and pliable rubber compound that maintains flexibility in freezing temperatures. This winter tyre ensures secure handling and short braking distances on snow and ice, and is homologated for the Audi Q3 in 17- and 19-inch sizes.

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Yokohama Rubber has begun supplying original equipment tyres for two Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. models in Japan and China, as it pushes to increase the share of higher-value products under its mid-term strategy.

The group said it is supplying its ADVAN V61 tyres for the new Elgrand premium minivan, launched in Japan in July 2026. The tyres, sized 235/60R18 103H, are positioned as premium summer products within Yokohama’s flagship ADVAN range, combining fuel efficiency, handling stability and low noise for both urban and long-distance driving.

Nissan’s Elgrand is equipped with the third-generation e-POWER hybrid system, e-4ORCE all-wheel control and Intelligent Dynamic Suspension, alongside the ProPILOT driver assistance system, aimed at enhancing ride comfort and driving performance.

Separately, Yokohama Rubber is supplying ADVAN dB V553 tyres as original equipment for the N6 plug-in hybrid sedan produced by Dongfeng Nissan Passenger Vehicle Company, a joint venture between Nissan and Dongfeng Motor Corporation. The model was launched in China in December 2025 and uses tyres sized 225/50R18 95V.

The ADVAN dB V553 has been developed as a premium comfort tyre, with an emphasis on sustained quietness and wet performance over its lifespan. The tyre also carries Yokohama’s “E+” marking, indicating suitability for electrified vehicles.

The N6 features a plug-in hybrid system combining a 1.5-litre engine with a 155 kW electric motor and a 21.1 kWh battery, delivering an electric driving range of 180 km and fuel consumption of 2.79 litres per 100 km. The vehicle also includes a digital cockpit powered by Nissan OS and driver assistance technologies.

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Bridgestone Americas has secured an original equipment supply agreement with Kawasaki Motors, Ltd., providing its premium BATTLAX RACING STREET RS121 tyres for the newly released Ninja ZX-10R Supersport model. This collaboration positions the tyre as a key component for Kawasaki’s flagship motorcycle, which is renowned as a championship-calibre machine designed for professional racing and high-performance enthusiasts.

The latest Ninja ZX-10R represents a continuous evolution in Supersport engineering, retaining its World Superbike Championship-proven foundation while achieving improved emission standards and enhanced circuit potential. Its newly integrated large winglets contribute to heightened front-end feel during cornering, while refined chassis geometry offers superior controllability, collectively pushing the boundaries of rider capability.

Developed under the ‘From Circuit to Street’ philosophy, the BATTLAX RACING STREET RS12 stands as the pinnacle of dry grip performance within Bridgestone’s road-legal tyre portfolio. Leveraging endurance racing-derived technologies, the tyre features a novel compound and tread pattern combination that sustains high grip over multiple laps, ensuring consistent circuit performance. This design provides dependable safety and confidence for riders navigating everything from spirited dry-road riding to demanding track sessions.

Kawasaki’s selection of this tyre followed a rigorous evaluation, confirming its ability to match the motorcycle’s formidable power through superior dry grip and stable cornering. By delivering this tailored tyre solution, Bridgestone aims to continue supporting Kawasaki’s commitment to rider value across its diverse model lineup.

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Continental has secured original equipment approval for the new all-electric Volkswagen ID. Polo, marking a significant supply agreement with the Wolfsburg-based automaker. The compact model will come factory-fitted with the German manufacturer’s EcoContact 7 summer tyre, with Volkswagen officially sanctioning the 17-inch and 18-inch sizes for standard production.

The EcoContact 7 summer tyre prioritises energy efficiency through a specialised material blend that minimises internal friction, thereby lowering rolling resistance and reducing electricity consumption. Its Aerodimple sidewall technology, modelled after golf ball surface textures, cuts air turbulence to further decrease drag, while the Silent Pattern tread design optimises block spacing and angles to suppress urban driving noise frequencies.

For cold-weather performance, Volkswagen has endorsed the WinterContact TS 870 P, whose tread layout and advanced sipe structure deliver dependable traction on snow and ice. The compound stays pliable in freezing temperatures to ensure short stopping distances and secure handling on wet, frigid or slippery roads.

As a year-round alternative, the AllSeasonContact 2 has been recommended by the automaker in 18-inch dimensions. This Continental tire provides balanced capability across warm summer conditions and wet winter environments, offering drivers a single-set solution without compromising seasonal safety or performance.

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