A global tyre manufacturer NEXEN TIRE is revolutionising tyre development by integrating advanced technologies such as eXplainable AI (XAI) and 3D printing.
NEXEN TIRE has traditionally followed a multi-step process for tyre development, involving designing structures and patterns, creating molds, manufacturing prototypes, and testing them on vehicles. The company has streamlined this process by incorporating XAI and 3D printing and enhanced product precision.
XAI, an artificial intelligence technology, helps analyse and understand the causes and processes behind machine learning algorithms. NEXEN TIRE uses XAI to analyse various information related to tyre design, such as basic designs, key design variables, performance contributions, and design directions. This maximises design efficiency and helps propose optimal structures and designs that meet tyre developers’ requirements.
NEXEN TIRE leverages XAI-driven designs to create Virtual Tire Models, assessing product performance in virtual environments. This increases accuracy and speed in tyre development. The company’s recent decision to adopt a driving simulator will elevate virtual development further.
Once a model passes the virtual development stage, a physical prototype is produced for final evaluation, which requires mould production. NEXEN TIRE utilises 3D printing technology to make molds, enabling the simultaneous creation of prototypes in various designs and specifications. As these prototypes have already undergone verification in the virtual development process, the chances of final product approval are significantly increased.
Traditionally, mould production alone took two to three months, but with 3D printing, this period can be cut by at least 70%. Additionally, production costs can be reduced by at least 50%, ensuring cost efficiency from the early stages of development.
The 3D printing-based mould manufacturing technology allows for innovative tyre designs that include diverse and complex patterns and sipes. This is crucial for supporting high-performance vehicles and providing consumers with enhanced performance and safety. NEXEN TIRE has applied for an international patent for its 3D printing technology.
By innovating its development process, NEXEN TIRE enhances product competitiveness while reducing time and costs. The company also contributes to sustainable management by reducing waste and costs associated with discarded prototypes.
“The ultimate goal of our technological innovations is to enhance customer satisfaction.” A NEXEN TIRE representative stated, “Transforming the tyre development process not only secures market competitiveness but also contributes to environmental protection during the development process, shaping the future of tyre manufacturing and driving revolutionary change.”
Pirelli Launches Third-Gen Scorpion Tyre, Redefining Summer Performance For SUVs
- By TT News
- January 27, 2026
Pirelli has launched the latest summer tyre for SUVs, the new Scorpion, representing a comprehensive evolution of a line first introduced in 1986 for high-driving-position vehicles like the legendary Lamborghini LM002. Today, the Scorpion name encompasses a broad family of products, including SUV, motorcycle and bicycle tyres. This newest iteration is engineered to deliver safety, comfort and lasting performance, specifically tailored to the demands of modern Sport Utility Vehicles.
The development process leveraged advanced virtual engineering, with Pirelli’s Milan-based R&D team evaluating over 20 technological variants of compounds and tread patterns using proprietary mileage-prediction tools. Driving simulators further optimised handling and dry performance before physical validation, which confirmed significant improvements over the preceding generation. This integrated design approach yielded a tyre that excels across key metrics. It has earned the TÜV institute’s Premium Quality Mark, ranking first in independent dry braking and wet handling tests while also leading in wet braking and straight-line aquaplaning. The entire launch range achieves the top European Class A rating for wet grip, along with Class A/B for acoustic comfort and Class B for rolling resistance, ensuring consistent performance across summer temperatures.
To address the unique challenges of SUVs, such as increased weight and a higher centre of gravity, Pirelli incorporated dedicated technical solutions. The tyre features a reinforced carcass and structure, wider central tread blocks and an optimised profile that promotes uniform pressure distribution and reduces shoulder deformation. This design promotes even wear, making it ideal for heavier vehicles. The updated tread compound, which shares innovative materials with the acclaimed latest-generation Cinturato for saloons, ensures stable performance, improved wet grip and excellent mileage. Furthermore, a new groove geometry in the tread pattern enhances both handling and noise comfort.
The new Scorpion is already offered in 16 sizes ranging from 18 to 22 inches. It incorporates technologies like Elect, which can extend the range of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles by up to 10 percent through solutions designed for their specific powertrain characteristics. Building on a legacy of over 300 homologations for the Scorpion summer range, this new generation, developed in collaboration with leading car manufacturers, already has more than 40 homologations in progress.
Hankook Tire has entered a significant global alliance by becoming a Global Partner of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). This collaboration, formalised at a signing ceremony in London on 23 January 2026 with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Hankook Tire Europe’s President and COO, Jongho Park, aligns the company with the governing body’s vision for the future of mobility and motorsport. The partnership is rooted in a shared commitment to innovation, safety and sustainability.
Central to this alliance are two key roles for Hankook. The company will serve as the Official Partner of the annual FIA Awards and the Official Partner of the FIA Sustainable Innovation Series from 2026 to 2028. This series, conducted with premier FIA World Championships like Formula E and Formula One, creates a global forum for industry leaders. It emphasises practical ‘track to road’ strategies, where advancements pioneered in motorsport directly influence broader automotive development.
Hankook’s commitment extends beyond sponsorship into tangible research and development. The company actively pursues sustainable transformation through AI-assisted development processes and strategic investments in electromobility, exemplified by its specialised iON tyre family for electric vehicles. A heightened use of certified renewable and recycled materials further underscores this direction.
The company views motorsport as a vital proving ground for its technology. Its position as the exclusive technical partner and tyre supplier for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship and the FIA World Rally Championship provides a direct conduit for testing new materials and technologies under extreme conditions. This integrated approach ensures that Hankook develops tyre solutions that meet the evolving demands of modern mobility, where tyres play a crucial role in the safety, efficiency and sustainability of both conventional vehicles and those utilising new drive concepts.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President, FIA, said, “Sustainability and technological innovation are at the heart of our missions at the FIA, so I am delighted to welcome Hankook as a new partner. This new partnership with Hankook reflects the global growth of our FIA Global Partner Program, and through collaboration it will strengthen our work to make motorsport and mobility safer.”
Jongho Park, President & COO, Hankook Tire Europe, said, “The FIA and Hankook share the belief that technological innovation can only be effective on a sustained basis if it combines safety, fairness and responsibility. As Global Partner of the FIA, we want to use our expertise in technology and sustainable tyre development to drive the mobility of the future – in motorsport and beyond.”
Craig Edmondson, Chief Commercial Officer, FIA, said, “Through our expanding Global Partner Program, the FIA is working alongside leading international organisations that share our commitment to driving innovation, sustainability and safety across both motorsport and mobility. We are pleased to welcome Hankook into the FIA Global Partner Program. Together, we will continue to accelerate progress and shape a more sustainable, future‑focused mobility ecosystem.”
Morocco Breaks Ground On Africa's Largest Tyre Factory In Driouch
- By TT News
- January 27, 2026
The commencement of construction for Africa's largest car tyre plant marks a transformative industrial milestone for Morocco. Located in the Batouya Industrial Acceleration Zone within the commune of Ijjaou, Driouch province, this major venture is spearheaded by the Chinese group Shandong Yongsheng Rubber, according to Morocco World News. The project is being executed through the company’s local subsidiary, Goldensen Tyre Morocco, representing a substantial investment estimated at MAD 6.7 billion (approximately USD 739 million).
This facility, spanning approximately 52 hectares, is strategically positioned near the Nador West Med port. This advantageous location facilitates direct access to both European and African markets. Upon completion, the plant is projected to manufacture up to 18 million tyres annually, adhering to stringent international standards. Its operations are expected to generate 1,737 direct employment opportunities, alongside hundreds more indirect jobs during its construction and operational phases.
Moroccan officials, including the Minister Delegate for Investment, Karim Zidane, alongside regional representatives, celebrated the project's launch. They emphasised that this initiative signifies a decisive transition from planning to tangible action, underscoring the effectiveness of collaborative efforts between public institutions and committed investors. The project is viewed as a strategic industrial investment that aligns with national priorities, including industrial sector enhancement, sustainable job creation and the bolstering of productive capacities.
Further reinforcing its long-term value, the development will incorporate dedicated research and development units. These components are designed to foster technology transfer and support industrial innovation within the Moroccan economy. By strengthening the nation's integration into global value chains, the factory developed by Shandong Yongsheng Rubber and its subsidiary is poised to significantly elevate Morocco's industrial landscape and economic resilience.
Bridgestone Enhances UK Farm Tyre Access With Kirkby Tyres Alliance
- By TT News
- January 24, 2026
A new strategic partnership between Bridgestone and Kirkby Tyres is set to transform the availability and delivery of agricultural tyres throughout the UK. Kirkby Tyres, a celebrated wholesaler with over six decades in the industry, will now stock the entire Bridgestone and Firestone agricultural portfolio. This includes the acclaimed VT-TRACTOR, known for its soil-protective high flexion construction, the durable VX-TRACTOR, the newer VH-IND and VX-R TRACTOR models and the full Firestone line. The VX-R TRACTOR, for instance, is recognised for its stable performance across varying ground conditions and operator comfort.
The alliance prioritises the needs of end-users, including farmers, dealers and contractors, leveraging Kirkby Tyres’ formidable logistics and customer-centric philosophy. Operating from a substantial central facility in Liverpool, which features extensive covered warehousing, the company guarantees nationwide next-day delivery without mandating a minimum order. This capability ensures faster access and consistent year-round supply for customers.
Kirkby Tyres brings a distinguished reputation to this collaboration, having recently been named the UK's top tyre wholesaler by the National Tyre Distributors Association. Their proven expertise and reliable distribution network are central to this enhanced route to market, aiming to deliver products precisely where and when they are required.
David Almazan, Head of UK Region & Commercial Business Unit Director at Bridgestone, said, “This partnership is about putting farmers, our dealer network and contractors first. By working closely with Kirkby Tyres, we can ensure a more efficient access to our Bridgestone Agriculture products, backed by genuine expertise. Kirkby Tyres understands the realities of modern agriculture, and together we are perfectly positioned to support customers with premium tyre products that deliver performance, durability and confidence.”
Michael Rosenthal, Commercial Director, Kirkby Tyres, said, “Partnering with Bridgestone allows us to offer customers access to a historic premium brand and a complete agricultural tyre portfolio. By combining Bridgestone’s high-performance Agriculture tyres with our distribution expertise, we can help farmers reduce downtime and keep machines working when it matters most.”
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