Hankook has confirmed its participation in the 2021 edition of the Solutrans trade fair that is set to take place at Eurexpo (Lyon) from 16-20 November 2021.

Hankook will showcase its new range of regional hybrid tyres – SmartFlex AH51 and SmartFlex DH51– at this edition of Solutrans trade fair. The company will also showcase its premium retread offer Alphatread at the tradeshow.

Hankook's SmartFlex AH51 steering axle tyre and SmartFlex DH51 drive axle tyres will come with 3PMSF certification and can be used all year round for a wide range of applications from regional traffic to last-mile distribution as well as long-distance use and transport site approach, if required.

Developed on Hankook's SmartLife concept, the Smartflex tyres offer the highest possible performance from the first to the last millimetre of tread depth. The Smartflex series of tyres also features Hankook's latest technology with tread patterns carefully developed to provide high grip and tyre life while being fuel-efficient. The tyre’s interlocking 3D sipes are revealed at 40 percent wear and enhance the rigidity of the tread blocks, maintaining high levels of grip and reducing rolling resistance. When the tyre is 70 percent worn, the tyre’s hidden grooves appear to provide wet traction and grip.

Like all new Hankook tyres, the new tyres can be regrooved and retreaded due to the additionally integrated rubber. Further, the Hankook SmartLife Premium casing with the Hankook Premium retreading ensures a 250 percent increase in tyre life and mileage. This increase in tyre life helps in sustainability, which is the primary focus of the SmartLife concept.

Xavier Antressangle, National TBR Sales Director – France and Maghreb, Hankook, said, "We are pleased to participate in this new edition and to introduce our offer, our services and our new tyres using the latest innovative technologies from Hankook. We are keen to show that Hankook is a premium brand with quality products and services adapted to fleets. This event is an opportunity for us to meet our partners and to develop new professional relationships." (TT)

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.”

Bridgestone Corporation has announced that it will participate in the upcoming 40th Space Symposium, the largest space-related conference in the United States. The company is all prepped up to display two concept models of its second-generation lunar rover tyre at the event, scheduled to be held from 7 to 10 April 2025 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, US.

The new concept models can be used on small and medium-sized lunar rovers since they are lighter than their predecessors. In order to satisfy the rigorous requirements of lunar exploration, Bridgestone started developing lunar tyres in 2019 and is still improving their designs. The company claims that the display would provide a platform for growing its network in the space industry and opening doors for future cooperation. By entering into a partnership with Astrobotic Technology, Inc., a US-based business that specialises in space exploration, in 2024, Bridgestone has already made strides in this direction.

Bridgestone, which has over 90 years of expertise in tyre development, is bringing its understanding of Earth-based mobility, particularly motorsport, to the difficulties of space flight. In order to improve performance and safety during lunar exploration, the business wants to create tyres that can be customised to meet the demands of individual customers or mission specifications. Additionally, the lunar rover tyre project furthers Bridgestone's more comprehensive Mid-Term commercial Plan (2024–2026), which places a strong focus on innovative commercial ventures like the ‘AirFree Concept’.

Bridgestone will be on display at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) Japan's Space Industry stand in South Hall #111 of the BAE Systems Exhibit Center. Along with its exhibit, Bridgestone will take part in a panel discussion with Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., Toyota Motor Corporation and Space Foundation, the event organiser.

JK Tyre & Industries, a leading tyre manufacturer in the country, has expanded its retail presence with the inauguration of the JK Tyre Truck Wheels Centre in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh.

The facility is designed to be a one-stop shop for all tyre needs, which will be operated by Hemkunt Transport Company. It was inaugurated by  Sanjeev Sharma, Associate Vice-President – Mobility Solutions, JK Tyre & Industries, along with other senior officials of the company.

The company shared that the location was selected because of its strategic position and will cater to needs of fleet operations and commercial vehicle owners in the city and surrounding areas. The new JK Tyre Trucks Wheel Centre spread across 7,500 sqft with highly trained technical advisors, will provide wheel servicing services and the company’s full range of smart tyres, fuel-efficient tyres and other product range for commercial vehicles.

Srinivasu Allaphan, Director – Sales & Marketing, JK Tyre & Industries, said, "At JK Tyre, our priority is to enhance convenience and reliability for our customers by expanding our reach to key transport corridors. With this new Truck Wheels Centre in Muzaffarnagar, we are bringing world-class tyre solutions closer to fleet operators and truck owners who rely on efficient, high-performance tyres for their business. This expansion is a step forward in strengthening our service network and ensuring our customers receive the best-in-class solutions with ease, across the nation.”

At present, JK Tyre & Industries has a network of over 850 exclusive Brand Shops and 6,000 plus channel partners across the country.

Italian machinery manufacturer Rodolfo Comerio has been recognised with the prestigious “Excellent Partner” award by Linglong Tire, one of the world’s leading tyre producers, during celebrations marking the Chinese company’s 50th anniversary.

The accolade was presented at the “2025 Linglong Tire Global Equipment Suppliers Conference,” which was part of an international event called “Driving Collaborative Growth with Linglong Tire.” The conference gathered major machinery suppliers from across the tyre industry.

According to the Italian firm, the award acknowledges Rodolfo Comerio’s exceptional calendaring line performance, commitment to innovation, quality after-sales service, and consistent presence in the Chinese market.

Nicola Fedele, Sales & Marketing Managing Director at Rodolfo Comerio, expressed his gratitude: “We are truly honoured to receive this recognition from such a prestigious company like Linglong. Our mission has always been to build strong and lasting relationships based on quality and reliability, and this award confirms the trust Linglong has placed in Rodolfo Comerio. To know that we have played a role in Linglong’s exponential growth thanks to our synergistic work and continuous commitment to meeting and exceeding their expectations is always a great source of pride for us.”

During the ceremony, Linglong Tire’s Chairman Wang Feng delivered a speech highlighting the crucial importance of the Chinese manufacturer’s partnership with Rodolfo Comerio. This relationship of mutual trust has reportedly enabled Linglong to achieve significant milestones and contributed substantially to the company’s growth in both quality and productivity.

Fedele added: “Meeting and being able to talk with  Wang Feng is always a source of inspiration for me. His dedication and foresight are a continuous professional lesson, and they provide a fundamental guide to push us to do better and reach new heights of excellence. His strategic vision motivates us to continue our work with passion and constantly improve our solutions to support the growth of our customers.”