Linglong Tire has recognised its top-performing global dealers at a five-day event in London, bringing together partners from several regions as the Chinese manufacturer seeks to strengthen its international distribution strategy.

Dealers from Australia, El Salvador, Egypt, Finland, Italy, Poland, Turkey and Uzbekistan were among those invited. The company said participants were selected for achieving the highest sales of Linglong Group products in the first half of 2025, covering its core Linglong range as well as regional brands such as Atlas Tires in Australia and Benchmark in Turkey.

The event included corporate and product briefings, during which Linglong awarded certificates to all attendees. Several dealers also presented their own business strategies, outlining how they position the brand in their respective markets. Linglong said the exchanges enabled participants to compare marketing approaches and share regional insights.

The programme concluded with a group visit to a Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC. Linglong is a global tyre partner of Chelsea and is represented on LED boards at all home games at Stamford Bridge.

Shandong Linglong Tire Co., founded in 1975, operates seven research centres and seven manufacturing bases, including facilities in Thailand and Serbia. The company employs more than 19,000 people and supplies tyres to over 200 vehicle-production sites worldwide. It retains a presence in original equipment supply for manufacturers including Volkswagen, Audi and BYD.

Linglong said it intends to continue evaluating potential sites for future overseas capacity as part of its long-term global expansion strategy.

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European replacement tyre demand was broadly stable in the third quarter of 2025, although overall volumes remain weaker than last year as economic softness and rising imports continue to weigh on the market, according to new figures from Tyres Europe.

The industry association said sales across the consumer segment — which includes passenger cars, SUVs and light commercial vehicles — were flat in the quarter and down slightly in the first nine months of the year. Adam McCarthy, Secretary-General of Tyres Europe, said: “Tyre markets were generally stable in the third quarter of 2025, although demand in the Truck & Bus tyre segment remained weak. Data for the first three quarters shows tyre volumes generally lower than the same period in 2024.”

The data point to an ongoing shift in consumer purchasing patterns. Sales of summer car tyres declined, while demand for all-season and winter products continued to rise. McCarthy added that “demand for car tyres is clearly shifting from summer tyres toward all-season and winter products”.

Truck and bus tyres recorded a sharper downturn. Third-quarter declines followed similar weakness earlier in the year, reflecting subdued freight activity and stronger competition from imports. Year-to-date sales fell about 1 percent. McCarthy noted that the segment’s performance “reflect[s] subdued economic activity across the region and an increase in imported tyres”.

Agricultural tyre volumes remained well below pre-pandemic levels, though quarterly figures were broadly stable. Moto and scooter tyres showed modest growth.

The update highlights significant changes in the region’s import landscape. Imports of passenger car and light truck tyres into the EU27 and UK rose 10 percent in the first eight months of 2025, although growth slowed sharply after a strong end to 2024 and early 2025. China retained a dominant market share of more than 70 percent, but Vietnam’s exports expanded rapidly from a low base, exceeding volumes from India. Truck and bus tyre imports increased nearly 14 percent, with Thailand and Vietnam accounting for more than half of extra-European shipments. China lost share and fell to third place.

Underlying mobility trends also point to a mixed recovery in tyre usage. Miles travelled by light vehicles across Europe are expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels in 2025, but car mileage in Western Europe will not fully recover until 2026 or later, according to the analysis. Truck mileage remains closely tied to GDP growth but has lagged behind owing to efficiency gains, larger vehicles and structural shifts in the European economy.

The report also emphasised regulatory barriers that continue to affect the recycling sector. Tyres Europe and Recycling Europe repeated their call for harmonised EU-wide End-of-Waste criteria for rubber derived from end-of-life tyres. “Standardised End-of-Waste criteria will boost demand for high-quality secondary raw materials and reduce dependence on virgin resources,” said McCarthy.

Tyres Europe represents 13 manufacturers whose global sales account for 70 per cent of the worldwide tyre market and collectively operate more than 70 production sites and over 20 research centres in Europe. The sector supports almost 500,000 jobs across the EU.

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Bridgestone Americas marked International Day of Persons with Disabilities by awarding USD 200,000 in grants towards expanding adaptive sports opportunities within public education. This funding, allocated through the Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund, will establish or enhance athletic programming across 62 schools in eight states, ultimately serving approximately 1,400 students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

The initiative addresses a notable gap in participation, as students with disabilities have historically been underrepresented in school athletics despite millions receiving special education services. Presently, only a small fraction of US public schools provides these vital adaptive programmes. The grants will support inclusive team sports, including basketball, soccer and track and field, allowing children of all abilities to engage in competitive play.

This community investment extends Bridgestone’s enduring commitment to adaptive athletics, following its tenure as a Worldwide Paralympic Partner. The company further advances this mission through equipment innovation and collaborations with elite adaptive athletes who serve as ambassadors for its ‘Team Bridgestone’ initiatives.

Wade Munday, Director, Corporate Philanthropy and Social Impact, Bridgestone Americas, said, “Access to sports is a serious barrier for young people with disabilities across the country. Bridgestone has long supported equitable access to sports because of the lifelong skills they provide on and off the field. With these grants, we look forward to empowering more young people with the opportunity to play.”

Chuck Aoki, American wheelchair rugby player, Paralympic medallist and member of Team Bridgestone, said, “When I was 12, I met a Paralympian who used a wheelchair just like me, but he was faster than I could ever imagine being! That encounter changed my life because I realised there was a place for me in sports. Access to adaptive sports is transformative for people with disabilities, and I am proud that Bridgestone remains committed to reducing barriers for all athletes.”

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Sumitomo Rubber Industries will rename a number of its overseas subsidiaries to carry the Dunlop brand as the company moves to unify its global tyre business and strengthen brand value across key markets.

The changes, approved by the board on 27 November, follow Sumitomo Rubber’s acquisition earlier this year of the Dunlop trademark and related rights for four-wheel tyres in Europe, North America and Oceania. The company said the rebranding supports its long-term strategy, “R.I.S.E. 2035,” which places Dunlop at the centre of its global operations. The move is still subject to approval at each subsidiary’s extraordinary shareholders’ meeting.

With the new rights in place, the firm aims to present a consistent brand message to customers around the world. It said Dunlop’s value should be reflected not only in products but also in services, user experience and corporate identity. Subsidiaries across Europe, the US, Australia, Latin America, the Middle East and Taiwan will adopt new Dunlop-branded names from January 2026, with one change planned for February.

In Europe, Falken Tyre Europe GmbH in Germany will become Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, while Srixon Sports Europe Ltd. in the UK will be renamed Dunlop Golf Europe Ltd. In the US, Sumitomo Rubber North America, Inc. will become Dunlop Tires North America, Inc., and in Australia, Sumitomo Rubber Australia Pty. Ltd. will take the name Dunlop Tyre Australia Pty. Ltd. Subsidiaries in Chile, Taiwan and the Middle East will also adopt the Dunlop identity.

Sumitomo Rubber said the rebranding is expected to strengthen customer recognition and help build Dunlop into a brand “chosen by customers” across regions. The company is also seeking to reinforce brand management as it expands globally, particularly in the competitive replacement tyre market.

The firm clarified that use of the Dunlop brand continues to carry certain regional exclusions, such as India and parts of Southeast Asia for four-wheel tyres, and India, Europe and Oceania for motorcycle tyres. Nevertheless, the company said it intends to apply a unified brand approach wherever possible to support long-term growth.

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Bridgestone has introduced a new addition to its Potenza ultra-high-performance line: the RE-71RZ extreme summer tyre. Designed specifically for grassroots racing, this tyre succeeds the acclaimed RE-71RS model. It aims to deliver quicker lap times and sharp, responsive handling, empowering drivers to maximise their performance on the circuit. A cornerstone of its design is the incorporation of ENLITEN technology, Bridgestone's next-generation platform focused on enhancing durability and advancing sustainable product design.

The tyre's development directly targets key performance metrics. On-track testing at Japan's Tsukuba Circuit demonstrated significant improvements, with the RE-71RZ achieving lap times approximately three-quarters of a second faster than its predecessor in both dry and wet conditions. This gain is attributed to several advanced engineering features. A new high-grip rubber compound, developed using insights from motorsports and proprietary NanoPro-Tech, enhances traction at a molecular level. The tread pattern has been redesigned with a stiffer construction and a larger outside shoulder to improve grip and stability, while a strategically placed main groove on the inside edge helps suppress uneven wear for longer track life. Furthermore, Bridgestone utilised its unique ULTIMAT EYE digital modelling tool to optimise the tyre's structure, creating a more uniform contact area for superior cornering grip.

Professional drivers Masahiro Sasaki and Yuji Tachikawa provided critical feedback during development, their expertise helping to refine the tyre's track-focused characteristics. The Potenza RE-71RZ builds upon a legacy that began in 1979, crafted for enthusiasts who demand competition-ready performance that transitions from daily driving to weekend motorsports. It has been approved for competition use by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and will be eligible for Solo and Time Trials events starting in 2026. The tyre will be offered in 45 sizes and is scheduled to launch in the North American market on 31 December 2025.

Sasaki said, “As its strong point, the Potenza RE-71RZ achieves a high level of performance in both grip and controllability. It delivers improved dry and wet performance for street use while also achieving faster lap times and better wear resistance on the track. This tyre delivers high performance in various situations, making it enjoyable and easy to handle for both everyday driving and track use.”

Tachikawa said, “This tyre is designed for easy handling, allowing anyone to experience precise control along with excellent grip. The tyre is focused on quick warm-up for immediate, high-grip performance as well as reliable wet grip, resulting in a well-balanced tyre suitable for various driving conditions.”

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