The Bridgestone Potenza Sport has been declared the definitive winner in EVO's 2025 Tyre Test, decisively outperforming eight rival products. Evaluated on a high-powered BMW 135i xDrive with 302 bhp in the size 235/35 R19, the tyre delivered six class-leading results.

The tyre’s dominance was particularly evident in wet conditions, where it achieved the shortest braking distance and top scores for cornering and aquaplaning resistance. The tyre also excelled in dry performance, recording the fastest lap time and a strong third-place finish in dry braking. Test editors praised it as an exceptional and emphatic winner, noting its superb on-road feel and capability in all conditions.

This assessment is further supported by independent TÜV SÜD testing, which confirms the Potenza Sport's superior dry braking, cornering and stability against other premium tyres. Its wet performance is also officially recognised with a top EU 'A' wet grip rating and leading results in wet cornering and handling, solidifying its status as a top-tier ultra-high-performance tyre.

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Michelin has announced the full deployment of its proprietary TreadEye technology across the Michelin Retread Technologies franchise network in the United States. TreadEye is a technology developed to enhance the retread process and deliver value to fleets.

The company stated that TreadEye is a tread depth assessment tool that helps fleets maximise their tyre investment. The system collects 1,200 measurement points accurately and consistently, providing insights into tread wear and casing condition.

Key benefits of the TreadEye technology include:

• Identification of pull points by fleet location.
• Maximisation of rubber on the road by helping to avoid early pulls.
• Helps in prevention of casing damage and helps reduce DOT violations.
• Helps reduce downtime from late pulls.
• Improved efficiency in the tyre removal process, directly affecting a fleet’s bottom line.

Nate Kirian, Vice-President of Sales and Distribution, Commercial Business Lines for Michelin North America, Inc, said, “TreadEye is a game-changer for our retread operations and for the fleets we serve. It’s a powerful example of how Michelin continues to innovate in ways that directly benefit our customers.”

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In a significant move for UK road safety, TyreSafe, the nation's dedicated tyre safety charity, has formed a landmark partnership with the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA). This alliance represents a powerful consolidation of industry voices, uniting manufacturers, distributors and safety advocates behind the common goals of enhancing road safety, elevating professional standards and promoting positive behavioural change among motorists.

This formal collaboration brings together two central organisations within the automotive aftercare sector. By combining their strategic objectives, they aim to amplify crucial safety messages and deepen engagement with the frontline professionals – retailers, fitters and technicians – who directly influence driver habits. The NTDA, a leading trade association founded in 1930, represents over 300 companies operating more than 2,000 retail outlets across the country, from major national chains to independent family-run businesses.

The partnership will facilitate joint public campaigns, shared research projects and the development of educational resources designed to help both consumers and industry professionals better understand the critical importance of correct tyre maintenance and timely replacement. This collaborative effort is bolstered by compelling new data from the NTDA's recent TyreCheck 2025 study, which examined over 58,000 vehicles. The research revealed a concerning increase in the number of tyres nearing the legal minimum tread depth, underscoring an urgent need for renewed public education on what constitutes a truly roadworthy and safe tyre. Ultimately, this unified initiative marks a new era of cooperation, driven by a shared vision to eliminate the dangers posed by illegal and defective tyres on Britain's roads.

Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe Chair, said, “This partnership represents a pivotal moment for the tyre industry. TyreSafe and the NTDA share a common goal – to make tyre safety a central part of the national road safety conversation. By combining TyreSafe’s public awareness and behavioural insight with the NTDA’s trade expertise and nationwide reach, we are uniting every part of the tyre supply chain behind one clear message – safe tyres save lives. Together, we can make that message stronger, more consistent and more effective than ever before.”

Ian Andrew, CEO, NTDA, said, “The NTDA has long been committed to raising standards across the tyre trade and promoting the professionalism of our members. Working collaboratively with TyreSafe allows us to take this commitment to the next level – ensuring that retailers, fitters and technicians play a central role in improving driver understanding and road safety outcomes. This partnership will help unify our industry around shared goals, driving both cultural and practical change.”

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., has added a new hose with a 3/8-inch (9mm) inner diameter and a 4-spiral structure to its Versatran ISO Series of hydraulic high-pressure hoses for markets outside Japan. The sales of the new hose has already started in September 2025.

The development, the company shared, responds to increased demand from underground mining sites for hoses with small diameters and high durability to fit narrow spaces and improve operational efficiency. The new 3/8-inch hose conforms to the highest durability standard, DC Type of the ISO18752 international standard. It also meets the flame-retardant standards of the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), ensuring safety under demanding conditions.

The hose is described as flexible and easy to manoeuvre, allowing for greater freedom in machine design and more efficient maintenance.

The addition of the new 3/8-inch hose expands Versatran's lineup in the 42MPa specification to include inner diameters from 3/8 of an inch (9mm) to 2 inches (50mm). This is expected to broaden the lineup's appeal across various markets and applications beyond mining machinery.

Yokohama Rubber's Versatran brand also includes the 4SH/4SP Series (meeting the EN856 European Standard) and the R1/R2 Series (complying with the EN853 and the US Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J517 standard). The company views its hose and couplings business as a key growth driver under its Yokohama Transformation 2026 (YX2026) management plan.

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Balkrishna Industries (BKT), an off-highway tyre company, has been named Cricket Australia’s (CA) naming rights partner for the Men’s One Day International (ODI) and T20 International series against India.

The matches between Australia and India will be titled the BKT Tyres Men’s ODI Series and the BKT Tyres Men’s T20 International Series.

The three-match BKT ODI series is scheduled to begin in Perth on 19 October, followed by the five-match BKT T20I series starting in Canberra on 29 October.

The partnership reinforces BKT’s existing association with cricket and reflects its commitment to advancing the sport globally. CA’s leadership is visiting India this month to engage with key stakeholders, highlighting the significance of the partnership between the two countries through sport.

Todd Greenberg, CEO, Cricket Australia, said, “We’re delighted to welcome BKT Tyres as the Naming Rights Partner for these marquee series. Their passion for cricket and dedication to creating immersive fan experiences align perfectly with our vision for the sport. We’re expecting huge crowds across Australia for the eight matches in the ODI and T20 series and it’s great to have a partner who shares our excitement about this series and for the game itself.”

Rajiv Poddar, Joint Managing Director, BKT, said, “This partnership with Cricket Australia marks a strategic milestone in strengthening BKT’s global footprint and deepening our connection with key markets where cricket is more than a sport — it’s a shared passion. As an Indian-origin company with a strong international presence, we see this collaboration as an opportunity to build brand equity, create meaningful engagement with fans across both India and Australia, and celebrate the values of performance, resilience and teamwork. Australia has been a key market for us for over a decade, and we are excited to elevate our journey in line with our ‘Growing Together’ philosophy.”

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