A colossal fire engulfed a significant portion of Kumho Tire's Gwangju manufacturing plant on 17 May 2025, forcing a complete halt in production and prompting authorities to issue a nationwide firefighting mobilisation order reported Korea Times. The company is South Korea’s second-largest tyre manufacturer.

The blaze, which began around 7:11 am local time, rapidly consumed factory buildings, with flames reportedly reaching heights of up to 100 metres.

The report further stated that by 5 pm on Saturday, approximately 70 percent of the plant's western section – an area roughly equivalent to five football fields – had been devastated by the fire. Firefighters concentrated their efforts on preventing the flames from spreading to the southern section of the facility, which is separated from the severely impacted western area. The National Fire Agency's had to deploy crucial personnel and equipment from neighbouring regions to help control the disaster.

What’s important to know is that about 400 on-duty workers were safely evacuated. However, one male employee in his 20s sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital. Additionally, two firefighters were injured during the ongoing efforts to control the blaze.

The local authorities suspect the fire originated from equipment used for heating raw rubber. Then there was the challenge about the estimated 20 tonnes of raw rubber stored at the factory, which is significantly hindering firefighting efforts.

This incident will not only have financial impact for Kumho Tire but also supply constraint for its major customers such as Hyundai Motor Corporation and Kia Corporation.

Last year, Kumho Tire reported sales of USD 3.21 billion and an operating profit of USD 431 million.

"With the fire now under control, we will soon be able to announce our estimated losses and outline plans for relocating our production lines," the report quoted a company official.

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Dunlop Tyres South Africa has appointed Marcia Noxolo Veronica Mayaba as its new commercial director, effective November 2025, as the company moves to sharpen its strategic execution in sales, retail, marketing and technical services.

Mayaba, one of South Africa’s most prominent automotive executives, brings decades of leadership experience and a resume marked by industry firsts including becoming the country’s first Black female CEO in automotive retail. Her previous roles span senior positions at Eqstra Fleet Management, Isuzu Motors South Africa, Lindsay Saker VW and Audi and Barloworld’s multi-brand operations.

The move forms part of Dunlop’s medium to long-term growth agenda as it competes for market share in a tightening industry landscape.

Lubin Ozoux, CEO of Dunlop Tyres South Africa said: “Marcia brings a distinctive  blend of empathy, strategic insight, and commercial acumen. Her passion for developing people, her deep understanding of the automotive ecosystem, and her commitment to ethical leadership align perfectly with Dunlop’s purpose-driven culture. We’re so excited to welcome her to the leadership team and look forward to the impact she will make in driving our business and dealer partnerships forward.”

Mayaba framed the appointment as both professional and personal, citing the automotive sector as a platform for economic mobility. “Dunlop embodies heritage, integrity and resilience, values that deeply resonate with me. My first meeting with Lubin and the Exco immediately felt like a fit a culture anchored in people, continuous improvement and long-term sustainability. Joining Dunlop is not just a career move; it’s a continuation of my purpose to build stronger, values-based ecosystems within the automotive landscape,” Mayaba said.

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Nokian Tyres gathered nearly 100 workshop representatives from five partner companies at the Hakka Ring, its year-round testing facility in Santa Cruz de la Zarza, Spain, to highlight its latest advances in all-season tyre technology and exchange views on market trends and industry challenges. The company said the test center, designed for all-weather performance evaluation, reflects its focus on safety, performance and sustainability throughout the year.

During the event, Iberia Country Manager Luis Miguel Cabanas presented brand updates, new product developments and future strategic direction. Partners were given the opportunity to drive the Seasonproof 2, the company’s newest all-season flagship tyre. Manufactured at Nokian Tyres’ zero carbon emissions factory in Romania, the Seasonproof 2 has been independently tested and verified by TUV SUD, Tyre Reviews and WhatTyre, and utilises up to 38 percent renewable, recyclable and ISCC PLUS–certified materials.

The tyre features the company’s latest innovations aimed at improving traction, precision and efficiency in varying conditions including technology designed to balance summer handling with winter grip, adaptive tread design for better performance in changing weather and a new compound optimised for durability, wet grip and fuel economy.

The event culminated with high-speed test runs on the 7-kilometre oval circuit with 40-degree banked corners, providing what the company described as an impressive demonstration of speed, control and overall driving performance. Nokian Tyres said the showcase strengthened relationships with key partners and reinforced its commitment to leading sustainable innovation in the all-season segment.

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Nokian Tyres gathered nearly 100 workshop representatives from five partner companies at the Hakka Ring, its year-round testing facility in Santa Cruz de la Zarza, Spain, to highlight its latest advances in all-season tyre technology and exchange views on market trends and industry challenges. The company said the test center, designed for all-weather performance evaluation, reflects its focus on safety, performance and sustainability throughout the year.

During the event, Iberia Country Manager Luis Miguel Cabanas presented brand updates, new product developments and future strategic direction. Partners were given the opportunity to drive the Seasonproof 2, the company’s newest all-season flagship tyre. Manufactured at Nokian Tyres’ zero carbon emissions factory in Romania, the Seasonproof 2 has been independently tested and verified by TUV SUD, Tyre Reviews and WhatTyre, and utilises up to 38 percent renewable, recyclable and ISCC PLUS–certified materials.

The tyre features the company’s latest innovations aimed at improving traction, precision and efficiency in varying conditions including technology designed to balance summer handling with winter grip, adaptive tread design for better performance in changing weather and a new compound optimised for durability, wet grip and fuel economy.

The event culminated with high-speed test runs on the 7-kilometre oval circuit with 40-degree banked corners, providing what the company described as an impressive demonstration of speed, control and overall driving performance. Nokian Tyres said the showcase strengthened relationships with key partners and reinforced its commitment to leading sustainable innovation in the all-season segment.

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Hankook Tire and Technology reported consolidated revenue of KRW 5.4127 trillion and operating profit of KRW 585.9 billion for the third quarter of 2025, the company said in a statement.

Tyre business sales rose 11.2 percent year-over-year to KRW 2.7070 trillion, while operating profit climbed 10.4 percent to KRW 519.2 billion, marking the company’s highest-ever quarterly performance.

Hankook attributed growth to stronger demand across global replacement and OE markets and a rising mix of high-inch tyres. Lower raw material and logistics costs helped cushion the impact of US automotive parts tariffs.

Hanon Systems, which has been fully consolidated into Hankook Tire’s results since the first quarter, generated KRW 2.7057 trillion in revenue, up 8.2 percent from a year earlier. Operating profit reached KRW 95.3 billion, an increase of 1.7 percent year-over-year and 48.2 percent quarter-over-quarter.

High-inch (18 inches and above) passenger car and light truck tyres accounted for 47.4 percent of segment sales in the quarter, up 2.6 percentage points from a year earlier. EV tyre sales represented 27 percent of the total, a 7-point increase year-over-year.

Hankook continued expanding OE fitments for premium EVs, citing supply agreements for the Porsche Macan, Xiaomi YU7, BMW iX, New i4 and New X3. The company now equips about 50 global automotive brands across more than 290 models.

Hankook’s EV-focused iON line-up and Ventus performance range won EV Tire of the Year and Performance Tire of the Year at the UK-based WhatTyre Awards, reinforcing its technology leadership.

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