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)

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The DUNLOP Group has systematically organised its sustainable natural rubber procurement initiatives for the first time, centring on the previously announced group-wide Sustainable Natural Rubber Subcommittee. The company will promote these initiatives and accelerate related activities. Natural rubber remains a key raw material for the group, and its production depends heavily on smallholder farmers, meaning challenges tied to productivity, income and environmental and social issues directly affect stable and sustainable procurement.

A second phase of the Sustainable Natural Rubber project, supporting smallholder farmers in Indonesia, began in April 2026. The project was originally launched in 2022 by Sumitomo Rubber Singapore Pte. Ltd., the group's natural rubber procurement subsidiary, together with PT. Hok Tong, a processing company owned by Halcyon Agri Corporation Ltd. In the first phase, improved productivity and earnings were confirmed for participating farmers. Phase 2 will continue support in Sumatra's Jambi region while extending coverage to Rantau Prapat in North Sumatra, aiming to assist roughly 1,740 farms cumulatively each year, with targets rising annually through April 2029.

During Phase 1, which ran from 2022 to 2025, more than 1,000 smallholder farmers in Jambi received support. Yields increased by up to about 19 percent, and both productivity and profitability improved in the project areas. In Phase 2, lessons from that experience will inform expansion into Rantau Prapat, where similar supply chain risks exist. Follow-up training will also continue in Jambi, with technical guidance and agricultural supplies provided so that improved techniques are fully adopted and yields rise further.

The group has identified and assessed its business activities' dependence on and impact upon natural capital, along with related risks and opportunities, following the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures recommendations and the LEAP Approach, and has disclosed information accordingly. The newly established subcommittee has systematically categorized natural rubber risk mitigation measures using the Action Framework proposed by the Science Based Targets Network, linking identified risks and opportunities to business activities.

That framework organizes corporate actions addressing nature-related impacts into avoidance, reduction, restoration or regeneration and transformation. Through this structure, the group will clarify the roles of initiatives previously pursued separately, including risk assessment, farmer support and research and development, as well as measures needed going forward. The Farmer Support Project falls under the framework's reduction objective, with the aim of improving farmer productivity and profitability and thereby lowering risks in the natural rubber supply chain.

Phase 2 is scheduled to run from April 2026 to April 2029, covering Jambi and Rantau Prapat in Sumatra, Indonesia. Support targets 870 households in Jambi and 870 households in Rantau Prapat annually, delivered mainly through technical guidance and agricultural supply support. Indonesia ranks among the world's leading natural rubber producers, and Sumatra is one of its major production areas.

Dwi Sutrisno, Sustainability Manager, PT. Hok Tong Indonesia, said, “This Project is a valuable initiative that strengthens the knowledge, skills and capabilities of smallholder farmers while supporting higher productivity and more sustainable farming practices. As the implementing partner, PT. Hok Tong Indonesia is proud to contribute to this effort and to see the positive impact it brings to farmers and their communities.”

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Maxxis concluded the 2026 Championship Off-Road season with a dominant display at Glen Helen, where its sponsored drivers captured four class titles. The company’s tyre range proved decisive across the field, with competitors relying on RAZR AT, RAZR AT-S, SC-1 and Bravo AT-771 rubber. Jimmy Henderson, Connor Barry, Nick Byng and Jeb Bootle each secured 2026 championships in Pro 4, Pro Lite, Super Stock Truck and Pro SxS, respectively.

Henderson’s consistent weekend sealed the Pro 4 crown with 729 points on RAZR AT tyres. Mickey Thomas claimed third overall in the class, while Adrian ‘Wildman’ Cenni finished fourth. Thomas added second-place finishes in both Friday’s and Saturday’s races, with Cenni third on Friday and Henderson third on Saturday.

Barry enjoyed a flawless weekend in Pro Lite, winning both races on RAZR AT-S tyres to lock down the title with 777 points. Bootle, in his first season as a Maxxis athlete, took the Pro SxS championship with 733 points on SC-1 tyres, delivering the brand’s first-ever Pro SxS title in the series. He also won Saturday’s Pro SxS race and placed third in Friday’s Pro Stock event.

Byng secured his second consecutive Super Stock Truck championship and third career title, accumulating 604 points on Bravo AT-771 tyres. In Friday’s Pro Buggy race, Zac Drapkin won and Chaden Minder finished third, both running RAZR AT-S tyres.

Rossy De La Cruz, Maxxis’ sponsorship and sales specialist, said, “Closing out the season with multiple wins and championships is an incredible accomplishment for our Maxxis athletes. I’m extremely proud of their hard work, dedication and trust in Maxxis throughout the season. A huge thank you to Champ Off Road for another outstanding season and for providing an incredible platform for our athletes to compete at the highest level. We’re excited for what’s ahead in 2027.”

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The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has revealed the outcome of its 2026 Board of Directors election, with four industry figures selected to serve three-year terms. Kelsey Jarman, Director of Sales for off-the-road tyres at ESTI, and Jason Rook, President and CEO of ITDG, are joining the board for the first time. Craig Stevens, General Manager of Big Horn Tire, and Adam Moffatt, Executive Director of the Tire Dealers Association of Canada, who also serves the Ontario Tire Dealers Association, have both been re-elected as returning members.

The association expressed enthusiasm for the leadership, perspectives and experience these individuals will contribute as they help steer TIA and advance the tyre industry. The newly elected and re-elected board members are scheduled to be formally inducted on 2 November 2026 during TIA’s Annual Membership Meeting, which will take place at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The association extended its congratulations to all four individuals.

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Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH (DUNLOP) has unveiled a comprehensive winter and all-season tyre portfolio for the 2026 season, targeting European drivers who face unpredictable cold-weather conditions. The range covers high-performance passenger car and SUV applications, blending dependable winter traction with year-round versatility. The lineup includes the DUNLOP WINTER, WINTER SPORT 5, SP WINTER SPORT 4D and SP WINTER SPORT 3D winter tyres, alongside the DUNLOP ALL SEASON 2 for those seeking a single year-round solution.

The DUNLOP WINTER addresses drivers prioritising balanced low-temperature performance. Its directional tread and multidirectional sipes evacuate water and slush efficiently, supporting grip and stability, while lightweight materials reduce rolling resistance and aid fuel efficiency. It earned an ‘Exemplary’ rating in last year's Auto Bild tyre test, also praised for strong value. The WINTER SPORT 5, fitted as original equipment on selected Mercedes-Benz models, uses wide, deep grooves for efficient water evacuation and predictable cold-weather handling.

For enthusiasts, the SP WINTER SPORT 4D offers direct steering response through a lightweight construction, interlocking sipes, V-shaped snow grooves and an adaptive winter compound that promotes even contact-patch pressure. It is trusted as original equipment by Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. The SP WINTER SPORT 3D, original equipment on selected Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen models, combines three-dimensional interlocking sipes for snow traction and braking with a Shape Lock System that maintains tread stability at higher speeds.

Completing the portfolio, the DUNLOP ALL SEASON 2 delivers a balance of summer and winter tyre benefits across varied conditions. Its 3D interlocking sipes aid winter traction, while a reinforced carcass supports stability and handling on both wet and dry surfaces, providing year-round confidence for European motorists.

Marcus Schulz, Assistant Manager – Product Planning, Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, said, "Winter no longer necessarily means facing months of snow and ice, with often milder temperatures adding to the unpredictability of the weather. This makes it even more important to have tyres that can cope with a wide range of weather conditions. With our winter portfolio, DUNLOP offers tyres designed to meet the increasingly diverse conditions and ensuring drivers can rely on consistent performance.

"In DUNLOP's first full year with Sumitomo Rubber Industries, we are entering a new chapter in Europe. By continuously strengthening and expanding our product portfolio, we are enhancing the brand's competitiveness and laying the ideal foundation for a successful and safer 2026 winter season.”

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