Hankook Tire, the official tyre partner of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), is preparing for Secto Rally Finland, the ninth round of the 2025 season. Taking place from 31 July to 3 August in Jyväskylä, this high-speed gravel rally is known as the fastest event on the WRC calendar. Drivers will navigate 20 challenging stages spanning 307.22 km, featuring rapid forest roads, blind crests and frequent jumps that demand precision and control.

In such a demanding environment, tyre performance becomes critical. Consistent grip, durability and responsiveness are vital for success, especially when surface conditions change abruptly. Hankook supplies all competitors with its Dynapro R213 rally tyre, designed to withstand extreme gravel conditions while delivering stability and high-speed handling. The reinforced casing and precision-cut tread ensure steering control and quick recovery during sudden load shifts, crucial for Finland’s high-flying stages. The Dynapro R213 is offered in hard and soft compounds, balancing resilience and adaptability. Its robust construction helps drivers confidently tackle steep jumps and unpredictable terrain.

Beyond technical support, Hankook will host its ‘Brand World’ fan experience booth throughout the rally weekend in the service park, featuring interactive exhibits, rally simulators and photo opportunities. Developed with the FIA and leading manufacturers, and rigorously tested across eight countries, Hankook’s rally tyres reinforce its reputation as a leader in motorsport innovation.

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NEXEN TIRE has received validation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for its corporate emissions reduction goals, confirming they align with the critical objective of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. This endorsement signifies that the company’s climate targets are grounded in the latest climate science and meet the SBTi's rigorous international standards.

The approved targets commit NEXEN TIRE to a substantial 58.8 percent reduction in its direct operational emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 2034, using 2023 as a baseline. The company has also pledged to cut its value chain emissions (Scope 3) by 35 percent over the same period. To realise these ambitions, NEXEN TIRE is implementing a detailed carbon neutrality roadmap. This effort is supported by a reinforced enterprise-wide management system that now includes comprehensive tracking of all 15 Scope 3 categories alongside Scope 1 and 2 emissions across its global operations.

A dedicated ESG Operational Committee meets monthly to execute a phased reduction strategy. This plan focuses on improving facility efficiency, accelerating the shift to cleaner energy sources and expanding the use of renewable power. Beyond its environmental impact, this SBTi validation is strategically significant. It is expected to strengthen the company’s relationships with global automakers, who are increasingly requiring validated carbon management from their supply chains. Furthermore, the precise emissions data compiled through this process will bolster NEXEN TIRE’s standing in global ESG evaluations, enhancing its reputation as a sustainable industry leader.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, “This SBTi approval is a meaningful step forward, demonstrating that NEXEN TIRE is establishing a climate response framework aligned with global standards. We are committed to leading the way to carbon neutrality by faithfully achieving emissions reduction targets based on scientific standards through enterprise-wide efforts.”

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Ride-hailing major Uber has introduced an exclusive offer for its driver partners in London, giving electric vehicle drivers 50 percent off on Enso high-performance, ultra-efficient tyres.

These tyres are specifically engineered for popular electric vehicles like the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y. The driver partners can purchase the Enso tyres via the Uber Marketplace app, giving Uber EV drivers direct access to more affordable EV tyres. 

Enso, an Earthshot Prize Finalist, produces tyres that it claims increase EV range, reduce tyre pollution and last longer than standard alternatives, delivering both environmental and economic benefits to Uber drivers.

This partnership is Uber’s first collaboration with an Earthshot Prize Finalist and is part of a wider partnership with The Earthshot Prize, founded by HRH Prince William. 

Interestingly, London is Uber’s global capital of electrification, with nearly 40 percent of all Uber rides in the city now fully electric. Through its GBP 145 million Clean Air Fund, Uber continues to help drivers switch to EVs, which is now further enhanced by access to specially discounted Enso tyres.

Brit Grant, Head of Electrification, Uber UK, said, “We’re proud to partner with ENSO as part of our ongoing mission to make it as easy and affordable as possible for drivers to go electric in the UK. Uber drivers are already switching to electric vehicles five times faster than the general public, and initiatives like this help us keep up that momentum. By reducing running costs and cutting emissions, this partnership supports our commitment to a cleaner, greener future for cities like London.”

Gunnlaugur Erlendsson, CEO, Enso, said, “Enso is playing its part in reducing costs and environmental impact for Uber drivers today. This has been made possible through our partnership with Uber and The Earthshot Prize; a collaboration that brings together sustainability with scale and commercialisation to deliver real impact. Enso develops A-A rated tyres specifically for EVs like Tesla’s to give drivers more range on a single charge, pay less upfront for their tyres and replace them less often, all of which helps Uber drivers earn more per mile.”

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A new partnership between Pirelli and Aston Martin will integrate Pirelli's pioneering Cyber Tyre technology into the British ultra-luxury brand's future vehicles. This system represents a significant technological advancement as the first of its kind capable of gathering real-time data from sensors embedded directly within the tyre's tread. These sensors feed information to Pirelli's proprietary software and algorithms, which then communicate seamlessly with the vehicle's electronic architecture.

This integration, developed in cooperation with Bosch Engineering, allows the car's main dynamic control systems, including ESP, ABS and traction control, to receive and utilise a comprehensive set of precise tyre data that was previously unavailable. By processing this information, an electronic control unit can optimise the vehicle's dynamics, enhancing both performance and safety. The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to innovation in the ultra-luxury performance sector. The adoption of the Cyber Tyre system marks a notable step forward in Aston Martin's pursuit of class-leading capabilities, leveraging detailed, real-time insights to refine the driving experience.

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The latest data from the German rubber industry highlights severe challenges at the domestic location are compelling companies to fulfil local demand primarily through their foreign production facilities, according to the German Rubber Industry Association (wdk).

A recent business climate index indicates a slight improvement in industry sentiment for the second half of 2025. However, wdk President Michael Klein sharply contradicts this optimism, stating that the data reveals a far grimmer reality. He emphasises that critical performance indicators – including revenue, sales, employment and production – are all showing deeply negative results for the domestic market, underscoring a troubling exodus of manufacturing from its core German base.

Klein has acknowledged the federal government's pledge to launch an ‘autumn of reforms’ as a positive signal. Nevertheless, he insists these measures must urgently deliver tangible relief and cost reductions for industrial companies of all sizes. He argues that what is needed most is a decisive and rapid approach to the promised reduction in bureaucracy, stressing that only verifiable results, not further promises, will count towards improving the competitiveness of the German industrial location.

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