Continental is set to unveil its most advanced city bus tyre, the Conti Urban HA 5 NXT, at the Busworld Europe trade fair in Brussels. The event, anticipated to draw over 40,000 attendees, will feature the new tyre as a centrepiece of the company’s exhibit. This product represents a significant step forward in sustainable and efficient urban mobility solutions.

Constructed with up to 60 percent renewable, recycled and ISCC PLUS mass-balance-certified materials, the tyre is designed to meet the growing environmental and operational demands of fleet operators and vehicle manufacturers. Its composition incorporates natural rubber, renewable fillers and recycled materials from sources like processed scrap tyres. A major technical achievement is a 25 percent reduction in rolling resistance, which can extend the range of electric buses by up to 15 percent, enhancing their overall efficiency. Furthermore, a new tread compound boosts mileage by as much as 15 percent over its predecessor while retaining a ‘B’ wet grip rating.

The tyre’s design also prioritises noise reduction, achieving the top EU label class A for external rolling noise. Its tread pattern ensures excellent grip and braking performance, a critical feature for electric buses equipped with regenerative braking systems. As a standard feature for original equipment, the tyre comes pre-installed with the latest generation of sensors. These enable seamless integration into Continental’s ContiConnect digital management platform, providing real-time data on pressure, temperature and mileage. This connectivity facilitates predictive maintenance, reduces vehicle downtime and lowers operating costs.

Now available in size 275/70 R 22.5, the Conti Urban HA 5 NXT expands upon the existing Conti Urban HA 5 portfolio introduced in 2024, offering fleet operators a targeted and sophisticated solution for the challenges of urban public transport.

Leo Kolodziej, Head of Original Equipment Bus and Truck Tires EMEA at Continental, said, “This major industry gathering is an excellent platform to present the Conti Urban HA 5 NXT to our original equipment customers, fleet operators, transport companies and also the trade public. Our customers expect solutions that are both environmentally and economically sound – in both original equipment and the replacement business. The Conti Urban HA 5 NXT meets these expectations with a balanced concept combining resource-saving material selection, high energy efficiency and a long service life.”

Hinnerk Kaiser, Head of Product Development Bus and Truck Tires EMEA at Continental, said, “In addition to the transformation to climate-friendly local public transport, this also includes familiar challenges such as curbs, frequent traffic lights and driving in narrow streets. The externally certified lifecycle assessment shows an 11 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to the previous Conti Urban HA 3 model.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Dunlop Tyres South Africa has appointed Marcia Noxolo Veronica Mayaba as its new commercial director, effective November 2025, as the company moves to sharpen its strategic execution in sales, retail, marketing and technical services.

Mayaba, one of South Africa’s most prominent automotive executives, brings decades of leadership experience and a resume marked by industry firsts including becoming the country’s first Black female CEO in automotive retail. Her previous roles span senior positions at Eqstra Fleet Management, Isuzu Motors South Africa, Lindsay Saker VW and Audi and Barloworld’s multi-brand operations.

The move forms part of Dunlop’s medium to long-term growth agenda as it competes for market share in a tightening industry landscape.

Lubin Ozoux, CEO of Dunlop Tyres South Africa said: “Marcia brings a distinctive  blend of empathy, strategic insight, and commercial acumen. Her passion for developing people, her deep understanding of the automotive ecosystem, and her commitment to ethical leadership align perfectly with Dunlop’s purpose-driven culture. We’re so excited to welcome her to the leadership team and look forward to the impact she will make in driving our business and dealer partnerships forward.”

Mayaba framed the appointment as both professional and personal, citing the automotive sector as a platform for economic mobility. “Dunlop embodies heritage, integrity and resilience, values that deeply resonate with me. My first meeting with Lubin and the Exco immediately felt like a fit a culture anchored in people, continuous improvement and long-term sustainability. Joining Dunlop is not just a career move; it’s a continuation of my purpose to build stronger, values-based ecosystems within the automotive landscape,” Mayaba said.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Nokian Tyres gathered nearly 100 workshop representatives from five partner companies at the Hakka Ring, its year-round testing facility in Santa Cruz de la Zarza, Spain, to highlight its latest advances in all-season tyre technology and exchange views on market trends and industry challenges. The company said the test center, designed for all-weather performance evaluation, reflects its focus on safety, performance and sustainability throughout the year.

During the event, Iberia Country Manager Luis Miguel Cabanas presented brand updates, new product developments and future strategic direction. Partners were given the opportunity to drive the Seasonproof 2, the company’s newest all-season flagship tyre. Manufactured at Nokian Tyres’ zero carbon emissions factory in Romania, the Seasonproof 2 has been independently tested and verified by TUV SUD, Tyre Reviews and WhatTyre, and utilises up to 38 percent renewable, recyclable and ISCC PLUS–certified materials.

The tyre features the company’s latest innovations aimed at improving traction, precision and efficiency in varying conditions including technology designed to balance summer handling with winter grip, adaptive tread design for better performance in changing weather and a new compound optimised for durability, wet grip and fuel economy.

The event culminated with high-speed test runs on the 7-kilometre oval circuit with 40-degree banked corners, providing what the company described as an impressive demonstration of speed, control and overall driving performance. Nokian Tyres said the showcase strengthened relationships with key partners and reinforced its commitment to leading sustainable innovation in the all-season segment.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Nokian Tyres gathered nearly 100 workshop representatives from five partner companies at the Hakka Ring, its year-round testing facility in Santa Cruz de la Zarza, Spain, to highlight its latest advances in all-season tyre technology and exchange views on market trends and industry challenges. The company said the test center, designed for all-weather performance evaluation, reflects its focus on safety, performance and sustainability throughout the year.

During the event, Iberia Country Manager Luis Miguel Cabanas presented brand updates, new product developments and future strategic direction. Partners were given the opportunity to drive the Seasonproof 2, the company’s newest all-season flagship tyre. Manufactured at Nokian Tyres’ zero carbon emissions factory in Romania, the Seasonproof 2 has been independently tested and verified by TUV SUD, Tyre Reviews and WhatTyre, and utilises up to 38 percent renewable, recyclable and ISCC PLUS–certified materials.

The tyre features the company’s latest innovations aimed at improving traction, precision and efficiency in varying conditions including technology designed to balance summer handling with winter grip, adaptive tread design for better performance in changing weather and a new compound optimised for durability, wet grip and fuel economy.

The event culminated with high-speed test runs on the 7-kilometre oval circuit with 40-degree banked corners, providing what the company described as an impressive demonstration of speed, control and overall driving performance. Nokian Tyres said the showcase strengthened relationships with key partners and reinforced its commitment to leading sustainable innovation in the all-season segment.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Hankook Tire and Technology reported consolidated revenue of KRW 5.4127 trillion and operating profit of KRW 585.9 billion for the third quarter of 2025, the company said in a statement.

Tyre business sales rose 11.2 percent year-over-year to KRW 2.7070 trillion, while operating profit climbed 10.4 percent to KRW 519.2 billion, marking the company’s highest-ever quarterly performance.

Hankook attributed growth to stronger demand across global replacement and OE markets and a rising mix of high-inch tyres. Lower raw material and logistics costs helped cushion the impact of US automotive parts tariffs.

Hanon Systems, which has been fully consolidated into Hankook Tire’s results since the first quarter, generated KRW 2.7057 trillion in revenue, up 8.2 percent from a year earlier. Operating profit reached KRW 95.3 billion, an increase of 1.7 percent year-over-year and 48.2 percent quarter-over-quarter.

High-inch (18 inches and above) passenger car and light truck tyres accounted for 47.4 percent of segment sales in the quarter, up 2.6 percentage points from a year earlier. EV tyre sales represented 27 percent of the total, a 7-point increase year-over-year.

Hankook continued expanding OE fitments for premium EVs, citing supply agreements for the Porsche Macan, Xiaomi YU7, BMW iX, New i4 and New X3. The company now equips about 50 global automotive brands across more than 290 models.

Hankook’s EV-focused iON line-up and Ventus performance range won EV Tire of the Year and Performance Tire of the Year at the UK-based WhatTyre Awards, reinforcing its technology leadership.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!