Bridgestone Launches Integrated Tyre And Fleet Management Solution

Ashutosh Chincholikar, Founder-CEO, Smart Controls Succumbs To Covid-19

Bridgestone has launched Fleetcare, an integrated tyre and fleet management solution designed to fast forward business for fleets. 

An evolution of Bridgestone’s Total Tyre Care, Fleetcare combines Bridgestone’s best-in-class tyre range and tyre management solutions with fleet management solutions from Webfleet, Europe’s number one telematics solution for fleets, the company said in a statement. 

With Fleetcare, fleet owners can reduce their total cost of ownership thanks to a complete package from a single mobility partner, the release claimed. 

Mark Tejedor, Vice President Commercial Replacement and OE at Bridgestone EMIA, said, “Cost-efficiency, convenience and sustainability are the three big priorities for fleets right now. When utilising many service providers, it is always a challenge to get the maximum effect on each of those priorities. We understand this is a key pain point for fleet owners and operators, which is why we’ve evolved Total Tyre Care into Fleetcare, an integrated solution for all tyre and fleet management needs. Through the launch of Fleetcare, we’re providing a unique and modular solution that addresses so many key business needs, from cost to compliance, from safety to sustainability. Fleetcare will help fast forward the businesses of our fleet customers thanks to the synergies between our proven fleet management and tyre management solutions. This launch is just the start, with more exciting innovations on the way.” 

Fleets demand maximum efficiency, convenience and sustainability as they enter the future of mobility, and Bridgestone’s portfolio of solutions is rapidly evolving to meet these demands and create new social and customer value, it said. 

Bridgestone said its new integrated tyre and fleet management solution, Fleetcare, provides a host of benefits to fleet customers, including total cost of ownership reduction, maximised customer satisfaction, time-saving, regulatory compliance and increased sustainability, safety and security. 

It is developed for managers of commercial fleets who are looking for a comprehensive and modular solution package that adds cost control and automation into their daily work, enabling better decision making. 

Available now, Fleetcare revolutionises the fleet market by offering both tyre and fleet management solutions with integrated and connected data and reporting available under one agreement and delivered by one single partner. Thanks to the use of combined tyre and vehicle data, Fleetcare provides smarter and more predictive maintenance solutions, resulting in optimised performance and increased convenience, the release pointed out. (TT)

Nankang Tyre Becomes Official Tyre Partner Of Santa Pod Raceway

Nankang Tyre Becomes Official Tyre Partner Of Santa Pod Raceway

Nankang Tyre has entered into a partnership with Santa Pod Raceway, becoming the official tyre supplier for the UK's premier drag racing venue. The collaboration will see Nankang provide tyres for Santa Pod's packed annual schedule of over 60 motorsport events and automotive festivals.

Santa Pod's diverse calendar features championship drag racing alongside major gatherings like Bug Jam and Ultimate Street Car, plus enthusiast events such as The Fast Show, Revvd Up!, Das GTI Show and JapShow along with marque-specific celebrations including the BMW Show, Vauxhall Show and Ford Mega Weekend. This partnership strengthens Nankang's presence in the UK performance market while supporting Santa Pod's commitment to delivering world-class motorsport experiences.

Caroline Holden, Commercial Manager at Santa Pod Raceway, said, “We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Nankang Tyres as an official tyre partner. Their commitment to performance, innovation and motorsport excellence aligns perfectly with our own values. With their proven track record in high-performance tyre technology, Nankang is a fantastic fit for our performance, drift and enthusiast events. We look forward to an exciting partnership that keeps our participants pushing the limits.”

Nankang Tyre’s Chad Price said, “One of the key reasons we chose to partner with Santa Pod – the UK’s premier drag strip – is our deep admiration for how its events are branded and promoted. Santa Pod’s world-class reputation and expertly crafted advertising are truly impressive. We’re confident this collaboration will drive significant advantages for our business, from boosted tyre sales to enriched marketing exposure. It’s a strategic move we’re enthusiastic about, and we look forward to working closely together over the coming years.”

Goodyear Launches Assurance MaxLife 2 All-Season Tyre In US And Canada

Goodyear Launches Assurance MaxLife 2 All-Season Tyre In US And Canada

Goodyear has unveiled its latest premium all-season tyre, the Assurance MaxLife 2, engineered to provide drivers with extended tread life, enhanced comfort and reliable all-weather performance. The next-generation tyre is now available in US and Canada and comes with an industry-leading 85,000-mile (140,000 km) limited treadwear warranty, making it Goodyear’s most durable offering to date.

The Assurance MaxLife 2 incorporates Goodyear’s proprietary TredLife Technology, featuring an advanced tread compound and optimised pattern for durability and all-season traction. Four deep circumferential grooves and zigzag sipes enhance grip in wet and dry conditions, while an integrated Wear Gauge allows drivers to easily monitor tread depth. Additionally, the tyre offers a quiet, smooth ride and includes expanded fitments, including W-speed-rated and XL sizes, catering to performance-oriented and heavier vehicles.

Designed to meet the needs of modern drivers, the Assurance MaxLife 2 is compatible with a broad range of vehicles, including sedans, hybrids, crossovers and luxury SUVs. With 58 available sizes, it fits popular models such as the BMW X5, Mercedes GLE, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Ford Explorer and Toyota RAV4.

Ryan Waldron, President, Goodyear Americas, said, "The Goodyear Assurance MaxLife 2 is a direct response to what today's drivers are asking for when it comes to their tyres. We're proud to bring a tyre to the market that will not only meet consumer expectations but exceed them, with an impressive tread life and performance that drivers can count on."

Goodyear Preserves Blimp Legacy With Historic Donation At EAA AirVenture

Goodyear Preserves Blimp Legacy With Historic Donation At EAA AirVenture

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company announced at the 2025 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh opening that it will donate the last remaining GZ20-era blimp gondola frame to the EAA Museum, where it will be featured in a new children’s exhibit. This iconic gondola, once part of the Europe-based Europa and Florida’s Stars and Stripes blimps, represents nearly 40 years of aviation history before Goodyear transitioned to its modern NT airships in 2011.

The donation highlights Goodyear’s 100th-anniversary celebration of its blimp programme, honouring its legacy while inspiring future generations. Alongside this gift, Goodyear unveiled a limited-edition keepsake: a framed fragment of the Spirit of Goodyear blimp’s envelope, which flew from 2000 to 2014 and set a Guinness World Record for continuous operation. Proceeds from sales will support the EAA Museum’s children’s exhibit.

Goodyear Aviation will showcase its latest tyre technology at Booth #489. In a first for Oshkosh, two blimps – Wingfoot One (with a vintage Pilgrim livery) and Wingfoot Two (featuring an LED sign)—will perform in daily and nighttime airshows, commemorating a century of Goodyear’s airborne innovation.

Michael Dougherty, Goodyear's Chief Pilot, said, "As we celebrate our blimp programme's 100th anniversary, there's no better way to honour its legacy than by inspiring the next generation of aviation enthusiasts. We hope this exhibit sparks curiosity and dreams of flight on aircraft of all kinds in countless children into the future."

Chris Henry, EAA Aviation Museum Manager, said, "Goodyear's Blimp flying has been an iconic part of aviation for a century, so this donation is a great fit as part of our museum's mission to tell the story of flight. Just as Goodyear Blimps have brought fascination with flight, this donation will be part of a future exhibit that inspires those with aviation dreams."

Hankook Tire Excels At WRC Delfi Rally Estonia 2025

The 2025 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) continued with Round 8, Delfi Rally Estonia, which concluded successfully on 20 July in Tartu and southern Estonia. Hankook Tyre & Technology, the event’s exclusive tyre supplier, provided its high-performance 'Dynapro R213' rally tyres, engineered for durability and stability across challenging terrain. The tyres delivered exceptional shock absorption on gravel, along with strong grip and precise handling at high speeds.

Known for its rapid pace, Rally Estonia featured 20 high-speed special stages covering 308 kilometres, combining flat-out straights through forest roads with tight, technical corners. With average speeds exceeding 120 kmph on gravel, drivers faced demanding conditions, including loose surfaces, consecutive jumps and rough terrain – making tyre reliability a critical factor in performance.

In the WRC1 class, Toyota’s Oliver Solberg claimed his first career victory, while Hyundai’s Ott Tänak and Thierry Neuville finished second and third, respectively. Tänak’s podium moved him to the top of the Driver’s Championship standings, just one point ahead of Toyota’s Elfyn Evans.

The championship now heads to Secto Rally Finland (31 July–3 August), where Hankook Tire will again supply its rally tyres for the ultra-fast stages, featuring blind crests and dramatic jumps. Prior to the 2025 season, Hankook conducted over 2,000 km of real-world testing across eight countries, working with the FIA and manufacturers to develop FIA-certified rally tyres.