Hankook Tire commences its second year as the exclusive tyre supplier for all classes of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), beginning with the iconic Rallye Monte-Carlo from 22 to 25 January. This 94th edition of the legendary event, covering 339 kilometres across 17 special stages in Monaco and France, is renowned for its unpredictable Alpine conditions. The challenge of rapidly changing surfaces, from tarmac to snow and ice, makes tire selection and performance absolutely critical to competitive success.

For this demanding opener, Hankook will provide its advanced Ventus Z215 tarmac tyre, engineered for precise handling and cornering stability on dry roads. To tackle winter conditions, the company will supply its Winter i*cept SR20, available in both studded and non-studded versions to ensure exceptional traction and control on snow and ice. These products incorporate the brand's latest motorsport technology, developed in collaboration with participating manufacturers to meet the championship's rigorous demands.

Beyond the technical partnership, Hankook plans to enhance its fan engagement throughout the 2026 season. Initiatives include operating ‘Brand World’ marketing booths at service parks for events like the Croatia Rally and Vodafone Rally de Portugal, alongside hosting ‘Stage Hospitality’ at select regional rallies. These efforts are designed to offer unique brand experiences to spectators and partners, solidifying Hankook's premium global image. The company will also leverage its official digital channels to share real-time updates and rally content with a worldwide audience.

The 2026 WRC calendar comprises 14 rounds spanning Europe, Africa, South America and Asia. Having established its technological leadership since becoming the exclusive supplier in 2025, Hankook aims to build on its proven record of consistent performance under extreme conditions, supporting another fiercely competitive championship.

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Hankook Tire has announced a major brand advertising campaign set to run throughout the 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) regular season, targeting fans across 26 stadiums in North America, including both United States and Canada. This initiative is designed to elevate the premium positioning of its globally unified ‘Hankook’ brand within the local market. The effort kicked off following the Opening Day game between the San Francisco Giants and the New York Yankees at Oracle Park in San Francisco on 25 March.

To broaden customer engagement, Hankook Tire will feature not only its core ‘Hankook’ brand identity but also its pioneering electric vehicle tyre lineup called ‘iON’, which is the world’s first full range of EV tyres, alongside the ‘Dynapro’ SUV tyre brand. A notable expansion this season is the inclusion of the Toronto Blue Jays’ home stadium in Ontario, Canada, allowing the company to extend its brand presence across the entire Canadian region for the first time.

Throughout the 2026 regular season, Hankook Tire plans to display its branding on major LED boards located in high-traffic areas such as behind home plate, along the first base line and on outfield fences. By integrating branding into these prominent ballpark locations, the company aims to naturally boost awareness of the ‘Hankook’ name among sports fans while strengthening its competitive edge in North America, a key global market for both SUVs and electric vehicles.

Since 2018, Hankook Tire has built on roughly five years of official MLB sponsorship to implement targeted sports marketing for local customers, reinforcing its premium image in the region. Following the successful World Baseball Classic, which showcased Major League talent, the company expects to enhance the innovative and dynamic image of its brand for both live spectators and baseball fans worldwide. Key markets featuring this high-visibility signage include New York, Boston, Atlanta and Toronto, among others, for the entire 2026 season.

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Magna Tyres has unveiled the M-TRUCK RG22, a commercial tyre aimed at the drive axle position of trucks engaged in regional haulage. This model is calibrated for shorter, repetitive routes where weather and road conditions change frequently. The tyre prioritises dependable grip and extended wear life, helping fleet operators achieve fewer replacements and more consistent handling.

The RG22 comes in sizes 295/60R22.5 and 315/60R22.5, with an 18 or 20 ply rating. Load and speed indices are 150/147K or 154/150L, and the tread carries both M+S and the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol. Fuel efficiency is rated C, wet braking grip is B, and noise output is 73 decibels, falling under the quietest A classification.

The RG22 effectively pushes water away from the contact patch, reducing aquaplaning risk on soaked regional roads. Its tread pattern promotes even wear, helping transport companies stretch mileage budgets. A sturdy internal construction withstands the stop-start stresses of regional work, offering a balanced solution where traction, longevity and all-weather reliability meet.

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TyreSafe, UK’s charity dedicated to raising tyre safety awareness, has launched Easter campaign to remind all road users that proper tyre maintenance is essential for a safe Easter getaway. With families carrying extra passengers, luggage and holiday treats, vehicles face increased strain, making tyre condition and pressure more critical than ever. Tyres are the only part of the car in contact with the road, so their health directly influences braking, handling and overall journey security.

Easter remains one of the busiest travel periods, and early signs point to another crowded weekend on British roads. According to the VisitEngland Domestic Trip Tracker 2025, a quarter of adults in Britain definitely planned an overnight Easter trip, with nearly one in five still undecided. As more families opt for UK breaks and rural staycations, the volume of traffic rises, and so does the reliance on tyres to cope with heavier loads and longer distances.

Carrying extra luggage, pushchairs, bikes and camping gear places significant additional weight on vehicles. Underinflated tyres under such loads lead to longer stopping distances, reduced stability, poorer steering control, greater risk of tyre failure and increased fuel consumption. Vehicle manufacturers provide specific pressure recommendations for fully loaded cars, yet many drivers overlook these adjustments before long journeys. Properly inflated tyres are vital to managing these risks.

Rural roads, popular for Easter escapes, remain the most dangerous in UK. A recent European Transport Safety Council report revealed that rural roads accounted for 59 percent of all UK road deaths in 2022, with over 10,100 fatalities in the past decade. While overall road deaths have fallen slightly, rural fatalities have not improved. Hazards such as sharp bends, narrow lanes, agricultural vehicles, poor lighting, potholes and slippery spring surfaces mean tyres must provide maximum grip and stability at all times.

TyreSafe’s own tread depth survey estimates that six million tyres on UK roads are illegal, meaning many vehicles are already unsafe before departure. To prevent Easter plans from unravelling, TyreSafe urges every driver to include tyre checks in their holiday routine, alongside packing and route planning, by embracing the simple ACT protocol: regular checks of air pressure, condition and tread depth.

Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, said, “Easter is a time for family, fresh air and making memories – but it’s also one of the busiest times on our roads. Heavily loaded vehicles, long journeys and rural routes can all increase risk if tyres aren’t properly maintained. Something as simple as adjusting your tyre pressures for a full car can make a significant difference to safety and performance. Before you hop off on your Easter adventure, take a few minutes to ACT – check your Air pressure, Condition and Tread. It’s a small step that could make a life-saving difference.”

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Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. has introduced its 8th Environmental Action Plan, a strategic roadmap spanning five years leading up to 2030. This plan directly supports the ambitious goals outlined in the TG 2050 Environmental Challenge, particularly the pursuit of carbon neutrality. By setting these intermediate targets, the company reinforces its longstanding commitment to reducing its ecological footprint while aligning with global climate objectives.

The framework of this new action plan rests on three interconnected priorities: carbon neutrality (CN), circular economy (CE) and nature positivity (NP). Toyoda Gosei recognises that accelerating resource recycling is indispensable for achieving carbon neutrality, especially as climate change intensifies. At the same time, preserving a rich natural environment helps mitigate climate shifts, creating a mutually reinforcing cycle. Guided by the Group Charter for Global Environmental Conduct, the entire Toyoda Gosei Group is dedicated to environmentally responsible operations that integrate these three pillars seamlessly.

Since 1993, Toyoda Gosei has pursued five-year mid-range environmental targets, striving to become a leader in the field. The company declared its 2050 carbon neutrality goal in 2016 and later moved up its target for eliminating Scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions from production activities to 2030. Having successfully met all goals in the 7th Environmental Action Plan covering fiscal years 2021 to 2025, Toyoda Gosei remains steadfast in actively driving further environmental initiatives to realise its newest commitments.

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