South Korean tyre maker achieves second consecutive quarterly revenue record despite raw material pressures

South Korean tyre manufacturer NEXEN TIRE reported record quarterly revenue for the second consecutive period on Thursday, posting consolidated sales of 804.7 billion won in the second quarter as increased European production capacity and recovering US demand offset global automotive sector uncertainties.

The company’s operating profit reached 42.6 billion won in the three months to June, remaining stable from the previous quarter despite ongoing pressure from elevated raw material costs that began in late 2024.

The strong performance was primarily attributed to enhanced production following the completion of Phase 2 expansion at NEXEN TIRE’s Czech Republic facility, combined with targeted regional sales strategies that secured key supply volumes across both original equipment and replacement market segments.

US sales strengthened further in the second quarter, building momentum from the first-quarter recovery after experiencing a temporary decline in the latter half of 2024. Expanded retail distribution partnerships supported the improvement, the company said.

In the Asia-Pacific region, Australia and Japan delivered record sales volumes, driven by continued investment in distribution network development.

Ocean freight costs provided some margin relief, though the company continued to face headwinds from raw material price increases that began in late 2024. However, NEXEN TIRE expects improved profitability in the second half as key input costs have been trending downward since early 2025.

During the first six months of 2025, the tyre maker began supplying original equipment tyres for 11 vehicle models, including the Hyundai NEXO, Kia EV4 and TASMAN, whilst deepening partnerships with global automakers, including premium brands.

The company said it would implement gradual price adjustments in the US market in response to recent tariff policy changes, focusing on expanding high-margin products and strategically reallocating global supply volumes to mitigate profitability risks.

“Despite persistent macroeconomic challenges, NEXEN TIRE achieved record-breaking sales for two consecutive quarters by maintaining balanced growth across both OE and RE segments,” said Chief Executive John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim. “We will continue to reinforce our global competitiveness through strategic partnerships and region-specific initiatives.”

NEXEN TIRE has been building brand awareness through localised marketing efforts across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific regions whilst expanding its retail presence through strategic distributor partnerships.

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The JK Tyre Racing Season 2025 moves to Coimbatore's Kari Motor Speedway for its second round on 27 and 28 September. This penultimate event of the season will feature intense competition across three categories: the JK Tyre Novice Cup, the Royal Enfield Continental GT Cup and the season debut of the new Levitas Cup, promising a weekend of high-speed action. This flagship event, now in its 28th year, continues to be a cornerstone of Indian motorsport, offering a critical platform for both aspiring and professional racers to showcase their talent.

A major highlight of the weekend is the inaugural round of the JK Tyre Levitas Cup. This single-make series will field a grid of identically prepared Maruti Suzuki Ignis race cars, driven by a mix of 14 rookies and gentlemen drivers. This format creates a perfectly level playing field where driver skill is paramount. While the stock Ignis produces 82 horsepower from its 1.2-litre engine, the race-spec versions have undergone significant performance upgrades, including a standalone ECU, a cold air intake and a free-flow exhaust system to enhance power and responsiveness.

In the Royal Enfield Continental GT Cup, the Pro-Am championship battle is heating up. Bengaluru’s Anish Shetty dominates the Professional class after a strong first round, leading with 30 points. He faces determined pursuit from Mumbai’s Kayan Patel and defending champion Navaneeth Kumar from Pondicherry. The Amateur class is equally competitive, with Pondicherry’s Bryan Nicholas holding a perfect score, though closely trailed by Johring Warisa and Saran Kumar, setting the stage for an electrifying contest.

The JK Tyre Novice Cup for single-seater cars also promises a fierce rivalry. Teenage sensation Bhuvan Bonu from Bengaluru established an early lead with a commanding victory in the first round, securing 30 points for Team MSport. However, the championship is far from decided. Prathik Ashok and Ojas Surve, both of Team DTS Racing, remain within striking distance, having finished just seconds behind. With the points gap narrow, the competition for the title is expected to intensify significantly at Kari Motor Speedway.

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Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has announced a significant victory for its global flagship ADVAN brand tyres in the GT500 class during Round 6 of the 2025 AUTOBACS SUPER GT Series. The event, a 300-km race held at Miyagi Prefecture's Sportsland SUGO, marked the first GT500 win of the season for a vehicle equipped with ADVAN tyres, highlighting the product's reliable and solid performance under demanding racing conditions.

The victorious car was the No. 24 REALIZE CORPORATION ADVAN Z, fielded by KONDO RACING and driven by Tsugio Matsuda and Teppei Natori. Beginning the race from fifth position, Matsuda demonstrated exceptional skill during the initial stint, achieving a temporary lead by lap 24 and engaging in a continuous battle at the front of the pack before the driver change. The race saw a major incident on lap 49 involving multiple cars, which brought about a temporary halt. Upon resumption for a final 30-minute segment, Natori, now behind the wheel, was in third place. He swiftly advanced to second and began methodically closing the gap to the race leader. In a dramatic finale, Natori entered the last lap directly behind the leading car and, after an intense struggle, seized the lead just before the checkered flag.

This comeback victory represents a major milestone for all involved. It is KONDO RACING's first win in nine years and elevates driver Tsugio Matsuda's record for most GT500 class victories to 25. For his co-driver, Teppei Natori, the event marked his inaugural GT500 win. The success of the ADVAN brand was further underscored in the GT300 class, where two cars using the tyres finished on the podium. KONDO RACING's No. 56 REALIZE NISSAN MECHANIC CHALLENGE GT-R secured second place, while the No. 666 entry from seven × seven PORSCHE GT3R finished third, cementing a highly successful weekend for Yokohama Rubber’s racing products.

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Messe Frankfurt UK, the British subsidiary of the globally prominent B2B trade fair organiser, has relocated its headquarters to London’s Blue Fin Building on the South Bank. This strategic relocation underscores the company’s intent to foster closer ties within the UK exhibition industry by situating itself near key partners, clients and venues.

The company first entered the UK market in 2016 with the launch of Automechanika Birmingham, an event that has since garnered multiple awards. The success of this show led to the formal creation of the UK subsidiary in 2018. Its current portfolio is centred on the automotive aftermarket, featuring the flagship Automechanika Birmingham trade show, which spans 11,000 square metres and attracts thousands of visitors. The portfolio also includes The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event, launched in 2022 and a digital directory named auto:resource. Beyond organising its own events, the UK team promotes Messe Frankfurt’s extensive worldwide portfolio of over 150 trade fairs to British businesses.

With a team of 15, Messe Frankfurt UK views the move to London as a catalyst for its next phase of expansion. The company plans to drive future growth through strategic acquisitions, the launch of new events and industry partnerships. This ambitious strategy is founded upon a culture that prioritises its people, agility and a commitment to innovation.

Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt, said, “The move to London underscores our ambition to be a major player in the UK market. We’re evolving from a one-show operation into a fully-fledged, multi-faceted exhibition business.”

Simon Albert, Managing Director, Messe Frankfurt UK, said, “This is a pivotal moment for our UK business. A company of our size and reputation belongs in the capital. The move has energised our team, they’re more creative, more collaborative, and most importantly, they’re having fun.”

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TyreSafe, the UK’s charity dedicated to raising tyre safety awareness, has launched a new national campaign alerting young drivers that having just two illegal tyres could result in the immediate loss of their driving licence. The flagship initiative, Young Driver Campaign, is timed to coincide with a major police enforcement drive, Operation Spotlight, which focuses on road safety among new drivers.

The campaign’s critical message highlights the severe consequences of neglecting tyre maintenance. Motorists caught with illegal or unsafe tyres face a maximum fine of GBP 2,500 and three penalty points for each faulty tyre. This poses a particular threat to drivers who have passed their test within the last two years, as accumulating six or more points leads to an automatic licence revocation. Therefore, just two defective tyres are enough for a new driver to be banned from the road.

This warning is especially urgent given a significant knowledge gap identified by TyreSafe’s research. The study found that more than half of drivers aged 17 to 24 are unaware that they are legally responsible for the condition of the tyres on any car they drive, regardless of whether they own the vehicle. To address this, the campaign promotes a simple, memorable checklist known as ACT, which encourages young drivers to regularly check their tyres’ Air pressure, Condition and Tread depth. This practical advice aims to prevent breakdowns, collisions and legal penalties.

For the first time, this campaign is running in support of the government’s THINK! initiative, amplifying its reach with backing from major organisations like the DVSA and leading driver training associations. The resources, including videos and guides, are being distributed through TyreSafe’s channels, and police forces, instructors and colleges are being urged to participate by promoting tyre safety within their local communities.

TyreSafe Chair Stuart Lovatt said, “Young and new drivers are a vulnerable road user group, not only due to inexperience, but also because of the tighter restrictions on their licence. By empowering young drivers with the correct knowledge, and encouraging them to undertake regular tyre inspections and maintenance, we can help to mitigate the risk of a tyre related incident or conviction. By launching this campaign alongside the NPCC’s Operation Spotlight, and in support of THINK!, the government’s road safety campaign, we can reach more young people than ever with practical advice. If that advice is implemented, it could ensure that not only they are safer on the roads, but they reduce their risk of receiving penalty points and fines that could cost them their licence.”

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