Firestone has announced its latest winter tyre, the new Firestone Vanhawk 2 Winter EVO, for van owners and fleets. Replacing the Firestone Vanhawk 2 Winter, the EV-ready tyre delivers longer mileage, uncompromised mobility across the winter season along with improved fuel and energy efficiency.

Developed using Bridgestone’s ENLITEN Technology, the new Firestone tyre is designed to provide light van owners and drivers with durability and a 10 percent increase in mileage over its predecessor. For increased mileage, the tyre uses a crown design for wear energy homogeneity inside the contact patch region and an upgraded compound that offers optimised abrasion. For increased fuel and energy economy, the new Firestone Vanhawk 2 Winter EVO also reduces rolling resistance by five percent as compared to its predecessor. To do this, the tread design is developed to optimise dissipation and minimise energy loss, while the tyre's optimised compound guarantees minimal dissipation during tyre rolling.

The Firestone Vanhawk 2 Winter EVO is certified with 3PMSF and M+S marks, which guarantees dependable braking and traction in snowy circumstances. Along with a best-in-class EU label A-grade in wet grip, it also improves wet braking by 10 percent over its predecessor. Blocks in the tyre's pattern design and sipe distribution provide superior winter characteristics, while the Firestone Vanhawk 2 Winter EVO's compound maximises traction on wet surfaces for improved winter performance.

The Firestone Vanhawk 2 Winter EVO is completely EV-ready thanks to ENLITEN Technology, which also allows fleets to use a single tire for both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicles. Starting in June 2025, the new Firestone Vanhawk 2 Winter EVO with ENLITEN Technology will be offered throughout Europe. With an extended selection of 18 short sizes and 22 long sizes, the tyre will be offered in sizes ranging from 15" to 17", meeting 93 percent of the demand in that market. These sizes include five 10 Ply Rating sizes to accommodate fleets and van owners' growing need to counter heavier loads and special needs for EV-light trucks.

Stefano Sanchini, Vice President Consumer Replacement at Bridgestone EMEA, said, “The latest addition to the Firestone Vanhawk family ensures business continuity for van owners and fleets across the winter season. Built to perform, the new Firestone Vanhawk 2 Winter EVO with ENLITEN Technology is here for those who need durability, uncompromised safety and cost efficiency from their winter tyres above all else.”

Goodyear has earned the prestigious ‘Master’ supplier rating by DAF for the fourth consecutive year.

Goodyear's excellence in crucial areas including product development, operational support and alignment with DAF's business objectives is highlighted by this recognition, which is a component of DAF's Supplier excellence Management (SPM) programme. Three performance categories – Achiever, Leader and Master – are used by the programme to assess vendors. The highest honour, the ‘Master’ rating, is given to suppliers that continuously exhibit exceptional performance and cultivate a close working relationship with DAF. By retaining the ‘Master’ rating for the fourth year, Goodyear underlines its position as a reliable industry partner committed to enhancing customer performance and efficiency.

Xavier Fraipont, Vice President Commercial PBU EMEA at Goodyear, said, “We are honoured to receive the ‘Master’ rating from DAF for the fourth consecutive year. This achievement reflects the dedication of our teams in delivering high-performing products and reliable support to DAF. It also underscores the strength of our long-standing partnership, built on a foundation of premium quality, innovations and collaboration.”

Apollo Tyres NL BV plans to close its Enschede manufacturing facility in the Netherlands by mid-2026, citing unsustainable production costs and declining demand for its speciality tyres.

The Dutch tyre manufacturer, a subsidiary of India-based Apollo Tyres Ltd, has formally submitted a Request for Advice to the Works Council regarding the intended closure, the company said in a statement Friday. The decision follows "thorough investigation and careful consideration" after cost-cutting initiatives failed to offset rising inflation.

"Submitting the Request for Advice to the Work's Council on the intended decision to discontinue production has been enormously difficult," said Benoit Rivallant, President of Apollo Tyres NL. "In the last few years, we have implemented several initiatives to reduce costs at Enschede. These initiatives resulted in some savings, but most were completely negated due to the ever-increasing inflation."

According to the statement, the Enschede plant, which produces pneumatic tyres for cars and agricultural vehicles, has struggled with "macro-economic disruptions, steep increases in energy and labour costs, and a decline in demand for Spacemaster and Agri tyres. " Pressure from low-cost competitors has further squeezed margins.

The company said it would continue normal operations while consulting with the Works Council and that the final decision remains subject to supervisory board approval. Management has committed to maintaining communication with employees, customers and suppliers throughout the process.

Apollo Tyres Ltd, headquartered in Gurugram, India, ranks among the leading tyre manufacturers. The company did not specify how many jobs would be affected by the closure.
    
 

The Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII), a research organisation working as part of Rubber Board, has announced its proposal to appoint a ‘Research Associate (statistician)’ to work in the Botany Division on temporary basis. The selection will be based on a written test cum walk-in interview.

Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in Agricultural Statistics or equivalent qualification to be eligible for the position. As per the criteria, the age of candidates applying for the position should not exceed 35 years as of 31 January 2025.  Interested candidates are advised to meet the Director of Research, Rubber Research Institute of India, Rubber Board, Kottayam–9 on 6 May 2025 at 9.30 am along with the original documents their age, educational qualifications, experience etc. Those interested can contact on 0481-2353311 or visit www.rubberboard.gov.in for further details.

Vaculug Ltd has officially launched its new mobile application, V-Torque, to support fleet managers and commercial vehicle technicians across the UK.

V-Torque is intended to improve the effectiveness and safety of vehicle maintenance by giving commercial vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tonnes operating in the UK instant access to wheel nut torque requirements and re-torque settings. Thanks to the app's sophisticated capabilities, users can oversee and control re-torquing procedures with unparalleled precision, guaranteeing the highest level of wheel security compliance. V-Torque lowers maintenance costs and advances fleet operations' sustainability objectives by optimising these procedures. After successful field tests with a few chosen service providers, the app is now accessible on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

Glenn Sherwood, Chief Growth Officer of Vaculug Ltd, said, “We are thrilled to introduce V-Torque, a product born from our unwavering commitment to sustainability and innovation. The app amplifies our dedication to driving positive change in the industry.”