Japanese tyre major Bridgestone has developed custom Potenza Race tyres for Volkswagen’s new Golf GTI Edition 50, the Golf GTI’s exclusive 50th anniversary model.

The company stated that the tyres are specifically engineered to meet the high-performance capabilities of the fastest and most powerful production GTI to date.

The tyres featuring optimised cavity profile for maximum dry performance, tread pattern designed to perform even in wet conditions have been designed and developed in Europe. It features high-strength and lightweight carcass to reduce rolling resistance.

Bridgestone stated that its bespoke Potenza Race tyres were instrumental in the Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50's record-setting performance at the recent 24-hour race at Germany's iconic Nurburgring. The special edition GTI achieved the fastest-ever lap time by a Volkswagen production model, a feat attributed in part to the specially engineered tyres.

The Japanese company is the exclusive tyre supplier for the optional GTI-performance package on the Golf GTI Edition 50. The vehicle comes equipped with 19-inch Bridgestone Potenza Race (235/35 R19 91Y) tyres, distinguished by a unique Volkswagen sidewall marking that underscores their exclusive development for this high-performance model.

Radoslaw Bolkowski, Vice President OE Sales at Bridgestone EMEA, said, “Our bespoke Potenza Race tyres were engineered to extract every ounce of performance from the Golf GTI Edition 50. Seeing them help deliver a record-breaking Nurburgring lap is a brilliant moment for our team and a testament to what’s possible when two performance-driven brands collaborate closely. We're very proud to help Volkswagen make history once again.”

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At the Agritechnica 2025 exhibition, BKT is displaying a four-product lineup engineered to address the core demands of contemporary farming. The display will feature specialised solutions for a range of high-capacity agricultural machinery.

The offerings include the AGRIMAX PROHARVEST, a tyre for new-generation harvesters that minimises soil compaction while improving stability under heavy loads. For slurry tankers, the RIDEMAX FL 615 combines very high flexion and flotation technologies to protect grassland and improve fuel efficiency. The AGRIMAX V-FLECTO is designed for high-capacity sprayers, enabling operation at very low pressures to safeguard both soil and crops. Completing the presentation is the AGRIFORCE T71, a rubber track system for next-generation combines that ensures optimal ground protection and traction by evenly distributing the machine's weight.

Collectively, these innovations underscore the company's focus on transforming practical field challenges into sustainable technological advancements. Attendees can find the BKT Tires exhibit in Hall 7 at Booth A36 to view the products directly.

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ZC Rubber made a significant impact at the 2025 SEMA Show by introducing two innovative tyres set to join its ARISUN lineup in 2026. The company unveiled the AVARIS EV, a model dedicated to the growing electric vehicle sector, and the AGGRESSOR WP21, an all-weather tyre built for the challenging climates of the northern US and Canada. These launches highlight ZC Rubber's strategic focus on developing specialised products for distinct driver needs in the North American market.

Catering specifically to electric vehicles, the AVARIS EV tackles the core demands of EV ownership. Its construction is fortified to support the substantial weight and instant power delivery of electric models, promoting durability and stable handling. Beyond robustness, the tyre is fine-tuned for efficiency and comfort, featuring a design that minimises rolling resistance to extend driving range and a tread pattern that ensures a quiet, smooth ride for occupants.

For drivers confronting snowy winters and variable conditions, the AGGRESSOR WP21 serves as a comprehensive year-round solution. It masterfully blends wet and dry road stability with genuine winter traction. Its tread design efficiently channels water and provides a confident grip on dry pavement while also incorporating features like dense siping and a rugged asymmetric pattern for reliable performance on snow and ice. This capability does not come at the expense of comfort or longevity, as it also employs noise-reducing technologies and a durable compound for a quiet ride and long tread life.

Henry Shen, Deputy General Manager, Zhongce Rubber Group, said, “Our focus in North America is clear: solve real needs with the right products. This year we showed a more complete portfolio. ARISUN strengthens our EV coverage and raises all-weather confidence for colder regions, while commercial solutions across ARISUN, WESTLAKE and GOODRIDE round out the portfolio for fleets. We’re combining innovation with local support, supply and service, and we’ll grow with our partners as we head towards the 2026 rollout.”

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The 2025 FIA World Rally Championship's penultimate round, the FORUM8 Rally Japan, concluded on 9 November, setting the stage for a dramatic season finale. The event, supported by exclusive tyre partner Hankook Tire, presented a formidable challenge with its narrow, twisting tarmac stages in the mountains of Aichi and Gifu prefectures. Drivers contended with constantly changing conditions, from shifting grip levels on sun-dappled roads to reduced visibility from fog and rain, all made more treacherous by damp, leaf-covered asphalt.

Hankook’s tire technology was central to navigating these demanding conditions. The company supplied its Ventus Z215 and Ventus Z210 tarmac rally tyres, which provided the critical grip and control needed for success. The Ventus Z215 delivered sharp handling and responsive cornering on dry sections, while the Ventus Z210 excelled in the wet, offering outstanding water dispersion and reliable traction on slippery surfaces.

This technical partnership underpinned a thrilling victory for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s Sébastien Ogier, who secured his sixth win of the season by a narrow margin of 11.6 seconds. This result tightens the drivers' championship, moving Ogier to within three points of his teammate Elfyn Evans and leaving the title fight completely open.

All eyes now turn to the inaugural Rally Saudi Arabia, the first WRC event in the Middle East in over a decade. Scheduled for 25–29 November in the Jeddah region, the season finale will introduce a starkly different challenge. Crews will face extreme heat, abrasive surfaces and a mix of high-speed desert plains and rocky tracks, where tyre durability and cooling performance will be decisive factors in crowning the 2025 champion.

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Iochpe-Maxion said its wheels division, Maxion Wheels, will expand its light vehicle aluminium wheel business in South America, including moving existing production assets to Brazil and acquiring a majority stake in Argentina’s Polimetal.

The company said it has purchased a 50.1% shareholding in Polimetal, a long-standing supplier of aluminium wheels to automotive manufacturers in Argentina. The transaction will be submitted to the local competition authority for approval.

“Passenger car sales continue to rise across South America, with our wheels business, especially light vehicle aluminum wheels, continuing to gain share in Mercosur,” said Pieter Klinkers, President and CEO of Iochpe-Maxion.

“To address this growing market and corresponding aluminum wheel demand, Maxion Wheels is implementing three strategic initiatives. First is the utilisation of our global operations, together with our domestic forces in Brazil, to support the immediate additional demand. Second is the redeployment of existing global assets to our two Brazilian light vehicle aluminum wheel plants in Santo André and Limeira. And lastly and most strategically, we are proud to announce a formal partnership in Argentina through Polimetal. They have been a long-term strategic- and well-respected supplier of aluminum wheels to OEMs producing in the local market,” he added.

The redeployment of equipment will expand production capabilities at Maxion’s Brazilian plants, the company said, in a move expected to bolster supply to carmakers across the region.

Klinkers said the company’s measures are aimed at ensuring service levels and output keep pace with demand. “We are confident our strategic actions in South America are putting in place the level of service and high-quality wheel output our customers need to meet both their short- and long-term demands,” he said.

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