NEXEN TIRE has unveiled the N’FERA Sport 2, an ultra-high-performance summer tyre succeeding the widely acclaimed N’FERA Sport. The original earned strong results in independent tests by leading DACH-region automotive publications, including ADAC and AUTO BILD, and secured multiple original equipment fitments. The new model adopts an updated tread pattern and revised construction to deliver sharper handling, shorter braking distances and dependable performance in both wet and dry conditions.

Structural rigidity has been raised by 15 percent over the predecessor, reducing tyre deformation and supporting stable behaviour during dynamic driving. NEXEN TIRE also incorporated Chamfer Technology, whose specially shaped block edges enlarge the contact area under braking and cornering. Meanwhile, the outer tread blocks are 5 percent wider, transferring vehicle power to the road more efficiently and improving cornering stability. A rim protector 7 percent wider than before adds protection against curb contact.

The tread design distributes pressure more evenly across the footprint, enlarging road contact and balancing handling, traction and braking while limiting heat buildup. Increased sidewall rigidity further cuts deformation and sharpens steering response, especially in high-speed corners. Collectively, these measures yield a 10 percent gain in cornering stiffness relative to the previous N’FERA Sport. Multi-width grooves and chamfered block edges widen the drainage area, helping evacuate water, lower aquaplaning risk and preserve wet-road grip.

Testing at Spain’s IDIADA Proving Ground demonstrated measurable gains over the outgoing tyre. NEXEN TIRE’s own results show an 11 percent shorter wet braking distance and a 2 percent shorter dry braking distance. Wet and dry handling improved by 7 percent, while cornering stiffness rose by 10 percent. The N’FERA Sport 2 is engineered to provide confident control across a broad range of road conditions.

Jeff Roh, Vice President of Europe Sales & Marketing, said, “Following the success of the N’FERA Sport, we expect the new N’FERA Sport 2 to deliver even stronger results. NEXEN TIRE has demonstrated proven quality and performance over the years, and with the improved capabilities of the new pattern, we aim to further enhance driving performance while helping drivers enjoy the thrill of driving with greater confidence and safety.”

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Titan International, Inc. has reached a definitive agreement to divest its Italtractor ITM undercarriage business (ITM) to USCO S.p.A., marking a significant strategic shift for the global off-highway wheel, tyre and undercarriage manufacturer. The deal positions Titan to concentrate on its core operations while securing substantial cash value from the sale.

Under the agreement, Titan will receive an initial purchase price of USD 207 million, with the potential for an additional USD 6 million in earnout proceeds contingent on ITM meeting specified performance targets for 2026. Customary adjustments tied to ITM’s net asset and financial position at closing are expected to add approximately USD 23 million in cash value. Combined with USD 49 million in dividends from ITM – USD 38 million already received in recent years and USD 11 million anticipated before closing – Titan projects total cash value of up to approximately USD 285 million, inclusive of the earnout.

The transaction allows Titan to sharpen its focus on its global wheel and tire operations serving agricultural, construction and consumer markets. According to Chairman Maurice M Taylor, Jr, the potential sale of ITM was first discussed with the board over a decade ago when an offer below USD 100 million was presented. He credited President and CEO Paul Reitz and his team for their patience in completing a deal that he described as fair for Titan and beneficial for USCO, which gains a strong manufacturing business with a good brand and skilled workforce. Taylor also praised Cecilia La Manna for nearly 30 years of service and leadership, noting that USCO is acquiring a strong management team along with the business and plants.

Reitz characterised the transaction as an important step in Titan’s transformation, delivering strong value while providing ITM with an owner that understands the undercarriage sector. He said the deal enables Titan to direct people, capital and resources towards core wheel and tyre operations, pursue accretive growth opportunities and reduce debt. The move supports portfolio reshaping, accelerated strategic investments, transformative acquisitions and partnership, and long-term shareholder value.

As part of USCO, ITM will build on its position as a global provider of undercarriage components and complete solutions, with added focus and resources for long-term growth, customer service, product innovation and geographic expansion. ITM designs, manufactures and distributes undercarriage systems for construction, mining, forestry, road-building and agricultural applications through an international network and is a pioneer in undercarriage sensor technology, including its TRUST ITM monitoring solution.

Titan intends to use a portion of the proceeds to reduce existing debt and strengthen its balance sheet, with future capital deployment towards key growth investments, including accretive acquisitions and strategic partnerships. The transaction is expected to close in early January 2027, subject to customary closing conditions and required regulatory approvals, with both companies continuing ordinary operations until then. Gianni & Origoni and Poggi & Associati advised Titan and ITM on legal and tax matters, while USCO received assistance from Eidos Partners, Simmons+Simmons, BDO and KPMG.

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Dunlop concluded the 2026 FIM Endurance World Championship by celebrating its Superstock Trophy and Production Trophy title winners at the 89th Bol d’Or. The French endurance classic, held under largely clear skies at Circuit Paul Ricard, brought the season to a dramatic close with 43 teams relying on Dunlop’s KR racing slicks across every category. Throughout the year, Dunlop supplied its KR108 and KR109 slick options to all entrants, alongside a latest-generation medium front tyre known during development as G2_01 VAL3.

In the Dunlop-exclusive Superstock Trophy, the No. 77 Wójcik Racing Team claimed a maiden crown. Jordi Torres Fernandez, Milan Pawelec, Mateusz Molik and Hector Vicent Garzo finished sixth overall, lifting the Polish squad above the No. 38 Champion-Hert Powered by MRP entry, which ended 11th in class. The No. 36 3ART Best Of Bike Hamaguchi team took second in the standings, while reigning champions No. 44 Honda No Limits completed the top three after finishing third in the race. The No. 18 Team Pompiers Igol CMS Motostore also placed inside the overall top ten, meaning four Superstock crews finished among the leading ten after 24 hours.

The Production Trophy crowned its second-ever champion as 13 bikes formed the category’s largest grid of the season. The No. 96 Legacy Competition team sealed its first title by finishing second in class at the Bol d’Or. The No. 199 ARTEC squad, the 2025 champion, ended the year as runner-up, with the No. 16 HTC Racing team completing the championship podium.

Dunlop-backed privateer teams also impressed in the open-tyre Formula EWC class. The No. 6 ERC Endurance team, with Loris Baz, Marcel Schrötter, Kenny Foray and Jan-Ole Jähning, qualified fourth with a 1:51.524 lap, just six tenths off pole, and finished sixth in the final standings on 62 points despite retiring from the race. The No. 14 MACO RACING TEAM recovered from 21st on the grid to finish 8th and end the season 10th, while the No. 53 Mana-au Competition team climbed from 28th to 11th and secured 8th in the final class standings.

David Auerbacher, International Motorcycle Race Event Leader, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, said, “Congratulations to the 2026 Superstock Trophy and Production Trophy champions, as well as the Dunlop-backed teams in the Formula EWC class that achieved amazing results. We’re proud and happy to have once again supported teams across all categories throughout the year. The Bol d’Or is always a demanding way to close the EWC season and this year was no exception. Across 24 hours, all teams and riders were pushed to their limits, making consistency just as important as outright performance. Seeing our partners fight at the front of the Superstock and Production Trophy fields, while also challenging in Formula EWC, is a great way to end the season. The results across the 2026 season demonstrate how our KR108, KR109 and latest-generation medium front specification meet the demands of our riders.”

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Tegeta Green Planet organised an informational and practical campaign titled ‘Don’t Throw It Away, Hand It In’ in Zugdidi to foster environmental responsibility and encourage proper management of specific waste streams. The initiative sought to educate local residents, vehicle owners, drivers and private sector representatives while boosting their participation in responsible disposal practices.

A dedicated collection point was established on 15 September in Zugdidi, where community members could dispose of end-of-life tyres, used batteries and waste oils. Throughout the event, attendees learned about the safe and proper handling of used automotive waste and the various options available for submitting such materials.

A central component of the campaign involved raising awareness about Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) principles. Participants gained insight into what EPR entails, the function of an EPR organisation in managing specific waste, how collected materials are subsequently processed and why importers must meet their legal obligations by joining an authorised EPR organisation. Symbolic gifts were distributed to encourage public involvement in the collection process.

The event enhanced Tegeta Green Planet’s regional visibility and created opportunities to recruit new importer members. Operating since 2022, the organisation is among the first in Georgia to receive authorisation from the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture under the EPR framework. It continues implementing regional campaigns and educational projects across Georgia to promote responsible waste management, strengthen infrastructure and advance circular economy principles.

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Italian bicycle tyre manufacturer Vittoria has extended its partnership with the Union Européenne de Cyclisme (UEC) for another five years, carrying the collaboration through 31 December 2030. The renewed agreement confirms Vittoria as the UEC Official Supplier, building on a relationship that has deepened through a shared dedication to European cycling development, from backing athletes and National Federations to elevating the sport at its highest competitive levels.

The multi-discipline partnership spans Road, Gravel, Mountain Bike, Cyclo-cross, Track and BMX Racing, mirroring modern cycling’s diversity. It connects Vittoria with riders pursuing European titles across various categories and generations while both organisations pursue a common vision of cycling as a unifying force that brings together people, countries and generations.

Beyond competition, the two organisations are committed to developing cycling, promoting sporting excellence and inclusivity and growing the sport across disciplines and throughout Europe. The UEC works closely with Europe’s National Cycling Federations to strengthen continental cooperation, while Vittoria supports athletes and the cycling community from grassroots through the elite level.

Under the renewed agreement, Vittoria Servizio Corse, the company’s neutral technical assistance service, will continue supporting athletes at the UEC Road European Championships. Experienced technicians and dedicated race-support vehicles will assist riders in Road Races, Individual Time Trials and Team Time Trials (Mixed Relay) across Elite, Under 23 and Junior categories, regardless of team or equipment, helping them rejoin the race swiftly after technical issues – reflecting the partnership’s core principle of standing close to athletes with concrete support.

Stijn Vriends, Chairman & CEO, Vittoria, said, “We are extremely proud to extend our partnership with the Union Européenne de Cyclisme for another five years. Our relationship has grown stronger over time because it goes beyond visibility at major events: it is built on a shared commitment to the development of cycling and to supporting the people who make this sport possible. Being alongside UEC across all these disciplines, and providing direct support to athletes, gives us the opportunity to make a concrete contribution to the sport and its future.”

Enrico Della Casa, President, Union Européenne de Cyclisme, said, “Vittoria represents excellence in the international cycling landscape, and we are delighted to renew a partnership that has grown stronger over the years. Having such a prestigious and widely recognised brand alongside the Union Européenne de Cyclisme brings tangible added value to our activities, across all disciplines and throughout our events. Vittoria is also a valuable partner in the solidarity initiatives promoted by the UEC in support of National Federations, making a concrete contribution to projects that go beyond the purely sporting dimension and fully reflect the values of cooperation and mutual support on which European cycling is built. This renewal therefore confirms a shared vision based on quality, innovation and a common commitment to supporting the growth of our sport at every level. I would like to sincerely thank Vittoria CEO Stijn Vriends and his entire team for the continued trust they place in the UEC and for their ongoing support of European cycling. We are proud to continue this journey together.”

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