Teledyne Brown Engineering recently announced that Bridgestone Corporation will be joining its team, looking to design and build the crewed lunar terrain vehicle (LTV) for NASA, in order to support future exploration on the moon. Teledyne Brown Engineering provides innovative systems engineering, integration, operations and manufacturing solutions for defence, space, marine and energy applications.

According to Bridgestone, it has signed an exclusive teaming agreement with the Teledyne Team to provide lunar tyres for the NASA LTV program. As NASA's mission is to reach new territory in space development, there is a need for a crewed and autonomous vehicle to navigate unexplored areas on the moon, and the LTV will be expected to endure extreme temperatures and harsh environments over long periods of time to support crew mobility and research efforts, claims the tyre company.

"This partnership helps further solidify the strength of our team and the durable vehicle that will be a product of its collaboration," stated Scott Hall, President of Teledyne's Engineered Systems Segment, while sharing his views. He added, “The experience and reputation of Bridgestone is unparalleled and a tremendous asset for our vehicle in its journey to and on the moon's surface."

As per Bridgestone, in order to deliver the needed technology, Teledyne has built a team that includes industry champions, such as Nissan North America, Sierra Space, Textron, and now Bridgestone Corporation (a global leader in tyres and rubber).

To ensure tyre function and safety under difficult operating conditions (rocky and sandy deserts with exposure to extreme temperatures and cosmic ray radiation), Bridgestone claims that it is developing and validating metal airless tyre concepts. It is leveraging its "mastering road contact" technology, which is a core competency acquired from various experiences on roads around the world. In fact, according to Bridgestone, the tyre company embarked on a new challenge to research tyres for crewed lunar vehicles in 2019.

Putting across his thoughts on the collaboration with Teledyne Brown Engineering, Makoto Ishiyama, Executive Director – Next Generation Technology Development, Bridgestone, said, "This project is a bold new challenge for humanity, and we are honored to be joining the Teledyne Team. This project will help us fulfil the "Extension: Committed to non-stop mobility and innovation that keeps people and the world moving ahead" stated in our corporate commitment – the Bridgestone E8 Commitment. Through co-creation with new partners, the Bridgestone Group is dedicated to realising the dream of humankind with mobility innovation."

Goodyear Tyre & Rubber is conducting a strategic review of the farm tyre business at its Indian subsidiary, signalling potential changes as the US manufacturer evaluates its global operations.

The Indian unit disclosed in a regulatory filing that its board has acknowledged communication from its American parent regarding the review. Goodyear will be examining "all strategic, operational and financial opportunities" related to the agricultural tyre business, according to the statement filed under SEBI disclosure requirements.

The Ohio-based tyre maker has not indicated any specific plans or timeline for the review. The company cautioned that there is "no assurance that the strategic review will result in the implementation of any transaction."

This move is part of Goodyear's broader efforts to optimise its global portfolio amid challenging market conditions in the automotive sector.

As part of a strategic effort to increase its presence in the region's premium original equipment (OE) market, Kumho Tire has confirmed its plans to establish its first tyre production facility in Europe by 2027.

The company has shortlisted Poland, Serbia and Portugal as possible locations for the plant, which is projected to need an investment of more than KRW1 trillion (USD 705 million). The decision is closely linked to Kumho’s ambition to strengthen its partnerships with European automakers and was revealed by Kumho Tire CEO during the South Korean premiere of Kumho's new Ecsta Sport tyre line.

Kumho has recently secured OE supply contracts with major brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volkswagen Group. At the moment, Kumho runs eight tyre production plants in China, Vietnam, South Korea and the US. Its capacity to compete in the premium OE market, however, has come to be perceived as being constrained by the absence of a European production base. Through the benefits of local production, the new facility will improve response to European client requests, save freight costs and shorten delivery times, all of which will strengthen the company's partnerships.

Sentury Tire USA has opened pre-enrolment for its two associate dealer programmes (ADPs), the Delinte HYPERDRIVE Associate Dealer Program and the Landsail Elyte Associate Dealer Program, underscoring the company’s commitment to rewarding dedication and partnership to the Landsail and Delinte brands.

The ADPs, which are customised for each brand and intended to encourage dealers, will formally start on 1 June 2025. Both programmes give dealers access to special benefits, incentives and strong tools to help them expand their businesses. This involves dependable customer service, effective marketing and worthwhile financial incentives to promote dealers' success at every stage.

Beginning in Q3, dealers may earn up to USD three per tyre through the Delinte HYPERDRIVE Associate Dealer Program. Dealers can receive retroactive benefits for purchases completed in Q2 if they register before 1 June. The awards are available for all Delinte PTR, LTR and the new DV3 LMD AS last-mile delivery tyres. For all Landsail PTR and LTR tyres, independent dealers that sign up for the Landsail Elyte Associate Dealer Program can also earn up to USD three per tyre. For customers who sign up by June 1, the new LMD 100 AS last-mile delivery is also eligible for the benefits and will get the same early bird incentive for Q2 2025.

No initial order is necessary. Dealers only need to register to begin making money. According to the monthly programme rewards structure, 48 tyre purchases each month are eligible for a reward of USD one per tyre, 120 tyres are eligible for a reward of USD two per tyre and 240 or more tyres are eligible for a reward of USD three per tyre.

ENSO, a London-based tyre manufacturer engaged in the production of sustainable tyres specially designed for electric vehicles (EVs), has launched its new ENSO Premium range of EV-specific ultra-high-performance (UHP) tyres aimed at drivers of high-performance EVs such as the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.

Specifically designed for electric passenger vehicles, the ENSO Premium range comes with A/A EU-label ratings for both energy efficiency and wet grip. The tyres are designed to provide safety, increased range and a reduced total cost of ownership. Conventional tyre designs frequently fall short of the special performance needs of electric vehicles, which include greater vehicle weight, regenerative braking and higher torque loads. By lowering tyre wear and rolling resistance, ENSO Premium takes care of these issues.

The company is an authorised provider of replacement tyres for LEVC's electric taxis and has partnered with Uber to install its tyres in high-mileage metropolitan areas. The company now plans to grow throughout Europe and North America, and with ENSO Premium, it is now offering its services to individual EV owners throughout the United Kingdom. According to ENSO, the range offers advantages including longer tyre life and fewer replacements, lower energy usage, fewer charging stops and lower CO₂ emissions and tyre particle pollution.

Gunnlaugur Erlendsson, CEO and Co-Founder, ENSO, said, “We’re plugging a long-standing gap in the tyre market by offering EV drivers a purpose-built, affordable, premium EV tyre alternative that matches the innovation of their EV.”