French tyre manufacturer Michelin will launch a comprehensive range of motorcycle tyres in January 2024, marking a significant technological advancement. The initial three products will be showcased at the EICMA trade show from 7 to 12 November this year. These cutting-edge tyres will be featured on select motorcycles presented in Milan, Italy, and will also be exhibited at the Michelin space in Hall 22.

With a legacy spanning 130 years in motorcycle tyre development - the very first Michelin tyre was crafted for a motorcycle - and a record of over 500 victories in the FIM World Championships, Michelin holds a wealth of unparalleled expertise. From slick tyres to radial and asymmetrical designs, Michelin has been at the forefront of innovation over the past half-century.

Presently, Michelin’s motorcycle tyres are widely acknowledged by both customers and the media for delivering top-notch performance across all riding conditions. In the majority of countries, Michelin stands as the most trusted tyre brand among consumers. Over recent years, premium manufacturers such as BMW Motorrad, Triumph, KTM, and Honda have homologated Michelin’s Power and Anakee ranges.

MICHELIN POWER 6: BALANCING FUN AND SPORTINESS FOR EVERYDAY RIDING

The MICHELIN Power 6 tyre caters to a broad spectrum of sports motorcycle enthusiasts. It offers a blend of sportiness and pure riding pleasure, positioning it as Michelin’s new reference in this category.

In addition to its sporty attributes, this Michelin tyre prioritises mileage for daily riders and those embarking on long motorcycle journeys. Its exceptional grip in both wet and dry conditions, coupled with precise handling, addresses the demands of motorcyclists effectively. Available in various sizes, this tyre suits motorcycles over 300cc and has already received homologation for the 2024 KTM 390 Duke.

MICHELIN POWER GP2: TRACK PERFORMANCE FOR THE ROAD

While initially designed for the racetrack, the MICHELIN Power GP2 is now homologated for on-road use. Targeting owners of super sports bikes, this evolution of the MICHELIN Power GP tyre takes performance to a new level. It offers even more excellent grip on both wet and dry surfaces compared to its predecessor(2), which was already a leading tyre in its category. With enhanced riding precision, it elevates the track experience, enabling the most seasoned riders to push their limits. Developed by the same team of engineers and using the same cutting-edge technology as MotoGP™ tyres, the new MICHELIN Power GP2 benefits from Michelin’s extensive experience gained from 500 victories in the FIM World Championship.

MICHELIN ANAKEE ROAD: OPTIMAL ON-ROAD PERFORMANCE WITH A DISTINCT TRAIL APPEAL

The MICHELIN Anakee Road complements the existing Anakee range, which includes patterns designed for more aggressive off-road usage - Anakee Wild and Anakee Adventure. Tailored for trail bikes known for their versatility, the Anakee Road caters to motorcyclists who primarily favour on-road riding for extended road trips and daily commuting. This new tyre offers high levels of grip in both wet and dry conditions(3), along with extended longevity(4) and reliable stability. Despite the evolving lighter weight of bikes in this category, they still possess a commanding presence. Michelin has harmonised the design of the new Anakee Road to align with the aesthetics of these formidable machines.

Apollo Tyres Ltd has secured a one-season shirt-sleeve sponsorship agreement with AS Monaco, one of French football's most successful clubs, to increase awareness for its premium Vredestein brand.

This partnership will leverage Ligue 1's ranking as the fifth most watched football league in the world to raise awareness of Vredestein's award-winning products among a large audience in France and abroad. On November 22, AS Monaco's home league game against Brest will have the new sleeve branding for the first time. The Vredestein brand will be heavily promoted at Stade Louis-II for the 2024–2025 season, including on player sleeves and LED screens around the field. Exclusive social media initiatives will further help make the brand prominent, reaching a large and interested audience.

Yves Pouliquen, Vice President – Commercial, Europe, Apollo Tyres, said, “This partnership is an exciting opportunity to strengthen Vredestein’s presence in one of our key markets. AS Monaco’s rich history and commitment to excellence mirror our focus on performance and innovation. We look forward to building a successful relationship with the club and celebrating its achievements this season.”

Thibaut Chatelard, Marketing and Revenue Director, AS Monaco, said: “We are delighted to welcome Apollo Tyres and its Vredestein brand to the family of AS Monaco partners. This collaboration makes sense in view of the values we share, such as the constant pursuit of performance and excellence. There’s no doubt that this new support will be precious for the rest of our season, which promises to be thrilling.”

Nexen Tire, a leading global tyre manufacturer, has launched the Nexen N´Blue S tyre, adding to its range of summer tyres and providing drivers with advanced safety, energy efficiency and superior driving stability in wet and dry conditions.

Developed using highly dispersed silica and equipped with an optimised structural design, the Nexen N´Blue S tyre provides reduced road noise and improved driving stability. The tyre features an innovative tread compound, formulated with hydrophilic fillers and microstructure-controlled polymers, and provides lower rolling resistance and exceptional dry and wet grip. The tyre also excelled in test results by demonstrating an 11 percent improvement in wet braking distance compared to its predecessor.

Apart from providing excellent performance, the Nexen  N´Blue S also scores high on the sustainability index. The tyre provides an eco-friendly solution for environmentally conscious drivers by minimising fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The Nexen N´Blue S summer tyre is available in 58 sizes, which makes it compatible with different types of vehicles.

Kumho Tire Vietnam Co., Ltd. is all set to expand its investment project in Binh Duong province of Vietnam, with the phase 3 of expansion commencing in early 2025. This was discussed at a recent meeting between Vo Van Minh, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (PPC), and Kim Hyun Ho, General Director of Kumho Tire Vietnam Co., Ltd.

The meeting was held on 13 November at the Administrative Centre of Binh Duong province, as per an official statement. Apart from the company’s investment till date and the planned investment for phase 3, the two also discussed about the challenges and obstacles regarding procedures and processes to have more land funds to expand the manufacturing plant, along with taking measures to tackle the obstacles. Kim Hyun Ho also conveyed to the PPC Chairman that Kumho Tire Vietnam Co., Ltd. belongs to South Korea's Kumho Tire Group and is currently ranked 10th in the car tyre manufacturing industry.

The company had invested in a tyre manufacturing plant in My Phuoc 3 Industrial Park in 2007 with a total initial investment of USD 308 million, which was supplemented by another USD 300 million in 2021. This extended the factory scale to six hectares and increased the production capacity to 12.5 million tyres annually. With the expansion in early 2025, the company will raise its total investment to USD 908 million and increase the factory's production capacity to 17 million tyres annually. The expanded capacity is expected to be operational by early 2026.

Yokohama-ATG, a leading manufacturer of all-terrain and off-the-road tyres, has expanded its Galaxy MFS 101 SDS range of forklift tyres with the launch of white, non-marking tyres.

The Galaxy MFS 101 SDS range consists of puncture-proof SDS tyres with extended wear limits designed for high-intensity working shifts and long durability. These are premium, solid rubber tyres developed for tough demands, a long service life and high driving comfort. The addition of white, non-marking tyres is specifically aimed at clean working environments.

Marked by a 3-stage construction process, the forklift tyres feature reduced heat build-up, effective shock absorption and minimised vibrations. The pattern design guarantees a smooth ride and good steerability thanks to its continuous centre lug and circumferential grooves. Furthermore, the flat walls and wide flat profile offer excellent stability when using a forklift for vertical stacking. The tyres are also equipped with anti-slip steel beads for improved rim fitment

In a case study on a CAT 2.5-tonne forklift that was used for handling heavy pallets on asphalt, the Galaxy MFS 101 SDS outshone the competitors with impressive performance. The tyre delivered an approximate 900 working hours before replacement against competitors’ 500 working hours.