Bridgestone Americas has announced a three-year extension for its Firestone brand as the Title Sponsor of the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Through 2028, the Firestone name will continue to appear on the first race of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season thanks to this new contract with Green Savoree Racing Promotions.

Firestone is the only tyre supplier for the 26th straight season, which begins with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Additionally, this year marks the 125th anniversary of Firestone's establishment on 3 August 1900, in Akron, Ohio. A long-term extension for Firestone to serve as the only tyre supplier for all INDYCAR-approved racing was announced in September 2024 by Bridgestone and Penske Entertainment. Taking place from 28 February to 2 March, this year's race will kick off the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.

Lisa Boggs, Director, Bridgestone Americas Motorsports, said, “St. Pete is always an exciting event as we reconnect with fans and wave the green flag for a new season of racing. We take great pride in Firestone’s rich history in the sport, and starting each season at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg has become a big part of that. We’re excited to extend this tradition as part of our ongoing commitment to driving excitement and innovation in racing for years to come.”

Kim Green, Co-Owner, Chairman and CEO of Green Savoree Racing Promotions, organisers of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding, said, “Firestone has been an integral part of the growth and success of the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg as title sponsor. This latest extension will take our partnership to a remarkable 15-year span. It’s an iconic brand that’s helped champions redefine limits in racing for generations, which aligns perfectly with the energy and excitement that embody this event.”

The Victra Sport 6 and HP6 tyres from Maxxis have won the Red Dot Product Design Award for 2025 in the Vehicle Accessories category.

The Maxxis Premitra HP6 features improved rolling resistance, effective braking, a smooth ride, improved mileage for longer travel and accurate handling in wet situations. Designed for sport and luxury automobiles, the Maxxis Victra Sport 6 is an ultra-high-performance tyre that works well with electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. It offers outstanding handling and performs quite well at sporty, faster driving. Both the tyres are available in Europe.

Red Dot Award winners are selected by a panel of 40 worldwide professionals who test, analyse and assess each entry in one of the biggest design contests in the world. The categories for awards include Design Concept, Brand Communication and Product Design. Winners will receive the Red Dot trophies during a banquet in Essen, Germany, on 8 July.

Continental's SportContact 7 tyre has emerged the test winner in this year's Auto Bild sportscar summer tyre test (issue 6/25) with an overall grade of 1.2 (exemplary).

Seven tyre models in the sizes VA 245/35 R 20 and HA 295/30 R 20 from European, Asian and American manufacturers were tested by the editors. The Lotus Emira served as the test car. The SportContact 7 scored top marks in wet handling, cornering, braking and aquaplaning. It had a 43.7-metre braking distance from 100 kmph on wet asphalt, which put it four metres ahead of the second-place tyre and eleven meters ahead of the last-place tyre. It clinched an intermediate score of 1- for the wet tests, which puts it far ahead of its rivals in the test field. After 31.2 metres at 100 kmph in the dry testing, the tyre came to a complete stop. Overall, the tyre received an intermediate 1- throughout the five dry categories.

The SportContact 7 is specifically made for high-performance sports cars that may be powered by electricity or conventional power. Several automakers have authorised it, and it comes in sizes ranging from 18 to 24 inches. Continental concentrated on achieving excellence in every performance criterion throughout development in order to maximise driving enjoyment and safety.

Andreas Schlenke, tyre expert at Continental, said, "The SportContact 7 took first place in the AUTO BILD sportscar test in both wet and dry conditions. This once again proves its leading position in the sports and UHP tyre segment.”

The final verdict from the tyre testers read: "Conti's sport tyre sets the standard for braking on dry and wet roads and offers a big plus in driving safety. Stable, well-balanced handling on dry roads.”

The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) has welcomed the bipartisan passage of H.J.Res. 61, a resolution that improves environmental stewardship and lessens financial constraints on tyre manufacturing plants.

The resolution, co-sponsored by more than 20 representatives from 14 states and introduced by Representative Morgan Griffith (R-Va.), repeals the EPA's 29 November 2024 updated rule on Rubber Tire Manufacturing National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP). With nine co-sponsors, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) spearheaded the campaign in the Senate with S.J.Res. 24. Before the House vote, USTMA sent in a letter of support for the measure. 

According to the EPA's own evaluation in 2020, the current guideline offers a sufficient margin of safety to safeguard human health and avert a negative environmental impact. On 29 November 2024, however, the EPA released an updated final NESHAP rule that added emission restrictions for total hydrocarbons (THC) and filterable particulate matter to the current NESHAP regulation, in defiance of the agency's own judgment. Because of this, tyre factories must build and run a large number of control devices called regenerative thermal oxidisers, which require a large amount of natural gas to burn impurities. In an effort to lower insignificant HAPs, these new control devices raise carbon emissions while placing a heavy financial burden on tyre manufacturing facilities with no clear emissions reduction target.  

The EPA's objective to protect America's clean air is shared by USTMA member companies. In order to reduce the negative impacts on the American tyre manufacturing business, the environment and the American economy, the USTMA supports Congressional action to overturn this final rule, even as it continues to collaborate with the EPA, the association stated.

Anne Forristall Luke, President and CEO, USTMA, said, “Tyre manufacturers have long understood and complied with the existing NESHAP standards to reduce hazardous air pollutant (HAPs) emissions from tyre manufacturing. However, the agency’s revised final NESHAP rule creates an adverse environmental impact, while imposing significant financial burdens on tyre manufacturing facilities and providing negligible, if any, benefits. The industry appreciates the Congressional leadership and bipartisan efforts in getting this resolution passed.”

China's tyre industry posted modest growth in 2025 with its total brand value edging up from USD 2.7 billion to USD 2.8 billion, according to Brand Finance's latest Tyres 25 2025 report.

Sailun strengthened its position as China's most valuable tyre brand with a 13 percent increase in brand value to USD 905 million. The manufacturer achieved a significant milestone by breaking into the global top 10 for the first time, displacing Japan's Toyo Tires. Sailun also emerged as China's fastest-growing tyre brand this year, with Brand Finance's market research highlighting the brand's strong credibility both domestically and in international markets.

Linglong Tire retained its status as China's strongest tyre brand despite a 2 percent decline in brand value to $785 million. The company recorded a Brand Strength Index score of 62.6 out of 100, earning an A+ brand strength rating. According to Brand Finance's analysis, Linglong's performance is primarily driven by its eco-friendly product range and overseas expansion initiatives.

"China's tyre sector may have seen modest growth, but brands like Sailun and Linglong Tire are clearly leading the charge. Sailun's rise in global rankings is a testament to its growing reputation, not just in China but around the world. The brand’s growth is driven by high credibility both locally and internationally, while Linglong continues to maintain its position by focusing on brand strength and sustainability. These brands prove that even in a challenging market, staying innovative and connected to consumers can drive real success,” said Scott Chen, Managing Director of Brand Finance China.

Other Chinese brands featuring in the global rankings include Sentury Tire (down 12 percent to USD 332 million) at 19th position, CST (down 1 percent to USD 289 million) at 22nd, and Triangle Tyre (valued at $226 million), securing the 25th spot.

The combined brand value of the world’s top 25 tyre brands increased by 5 percent to $38.8 billion, outperforming the largely stagnant broader automotive industry. Manufacturers are heavily investing in innovation to meet evolving market demands, including green tyre technology, innovative RFID-enabled products and specialised offerings for electric vehicles.