Nokian Tyres held the groundbreaking ceremony of its new passenger car tyre plant, the industry’s first zero CO2 emission plant, in Romania. 

The plant is expected to be operational commercially by the beginning of 2025, catering to customers mainly in Central Europe. The first tyres are estimated to be produced in the second half of 2024. 

With a total investment of EUR 650 million, the plant, which will have an annual production capacity of six million tyres, is being built in the North- West of Romania in the city of Oradea, an important regional and European hub of many transport routes.

Nokian Tyres is waiting for the final decision from the EU for its EU funding application for some EUR 100 million, which the Romanian government already approved earlier this year, said the tyre company. 

The factory will concentrate on producing larger rim-size passenger and SUV tyres that will be primarily sold in the Central European market. The site will also house a distribution facility for storage and distribution of tyres. The combined built-up area totals some 100,000 m2.

“This investment is a significant strategic step enabling our future growth and development. A world-class manufacturing facility in Europe is a key step in getting additional capacity and creating a balanced manufacturing platform as we build the new Nokian Tyres,” says Jukka Moisio, President and CEO of Nokian Tyres.

“We are very proud to build the first zero CO2 emission factory in the tyre industry. This means, for instance, that energy used at the factory comes from renewable sources and steam needed for the tyre manufacturing process is generated fully without fossil fuels. Furthermore, the site location in Romania supports the target as we can utilize green energy produced near the site. We are committed to building a sustainable and competitive tyre production facility,” he continues.

“Central Europe is an important market for us, and the investment shows our commitment to the market. The new site will be strategically located close to our customers. After a thorough evaluation of over 40 locations and several factors, such as skilled workforce availability, logistical advantages, and stable business environment, it was clear that Oradea was the best choice for our new factory,” says Adrian Kaczmarczyk, SVP, Supply Operations. 

The new plant is expected to have around 500 employees, including production as well as managerial positions. The recruitment will accelerate in 2024 and continue until the full workforce of the factory has been hired and the factory starts its operations. 

“We will cooperate with the local schools in Oradea to provide the right type of training to our future employees. In the beginning, we will utilize the inhouse knowledge and the experience we obtained when we built our factory in the US. We will bring some 20–25 people from Finland to Oradea to help set-up the factory,” says Adrian Kaczmarczyk, SVP, Supply Operations.

In addition to building a new passenger car tyre factory in Oradea, Nokian Tyres continues to increase capacity at the existing factories in Finland and the US and grow contract manufacturing. As a result, nokian Tyres aims to build a global capacity of 15 million tyres by 2027.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Bridgestone has earned significant acclaim from the German automotive publication Auto Bild, being jointly awarded the 2025 winter tyre 'Manufacturer of the Year' title. This prestigious honour was largely driven by the outstanding performance of the company's premium winter tyre, the Blizzak 6, in the publication's rigorous annual evaluations.

The manufacturer’s success extended beyond winter tyres, with the Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 also achieving a top podium finish. It secured second place in the all-season category for 'Manufacturer of the Year' and was declared a joint test winner in Auto Bild’s specific SUV All-Season 2025 Tyre Test. The tyre earned an exemplary overall rating after proving to be a strong and balanced all-rounder across a wide range of performance criteria.

Further validating these results, independent testing by TÜV SÜD confirmed the Turanza All Season 6's best-in-class wet braking capabilities, alongside excellent braking in both dry and snowy conditions. The tests also highlighted its exceptional snow traction, cornering and handling. An additional benefit is a 20 percent improvement in mileage over its predecessor, contributing to greater cost efficiency and a reduced environmental footprint.

Similarly, the winter-focused Blizzak 6, launched in 2024 as the successor to a multiple-award-winning model, has demonstrated top-tier performance in TÜV SÜD assessments. It is a top-rated tyre for snow braking and traction and is reported to offer the shortest stopping distances on wet roads. It also boasts a substantial 32 percent improvement in mileage.

A key technological foundation for both of these award-winning tyres is Bridgestone's ENLITEN Technology. This next-generation engineering approach is designed to deliver customised and uncompromised performance while simultaneously advancing sustainability and enhancing electric vehicle readiness across the company's product portfolio.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is poised for its 12th season, with critical pre-season testing scheduled for 27 to 31 October in Valencia, Spain. This event serves as the final proving ground for all teams and the official technology partner, Hankook Tire. During this intensive period, drivers and engineers will work with the GEN3 Evo race car and Hankook's dedicated iON Race tyres to fine-tune vehicle setups and gather essential performance data ahead of the first official race.

This season is particularly significant as it marks Hankook's fourth and final year as the championship's exclusive tyre supplier. The GEN3 Evo iON Race tyre has established a remarkable record of reliability and consistent performance, having supported every race since its introduction without a single failure. This partnership has been pivotal in advancing the series' demanding standards for efficiency and safety.

Alongside the technical preparations, the Valencia test will host important inclusivity initiatives. An expanded Women's Test will provide 20 female drivers from all 10 teams with valuable track time in the current race car. Running concurrently, the Hankook-presented FIA Girls on Track programme will inspire approximately 100 young women through workshops and team interactions, aiming to cultivate the next generation of motorsport talent.

This pre-season activity sets the stage for a dynamic 17-round global championship covering 11 iconic cities, which will kick off in São Paulo on 6 December and conclude in London the following August, showcasing electric racing in eleven iconic cities worldwide.

Maximilian Günther (DS PENSKE) highlighted the tyre's exceptional capabilities, saying, “Following my victory at the Season 10 Tokyo E-Prix, I was able to secure another triumph at the Season 11 Jeddah E-Prix. The GEN3 Evo iON Race tyre consistently demonstrated exceptional performance, delivering remarkable grip and precise handling, even under the most demanding driving conditions. This high level of performance enabled us to maintain stability and competitiveness throughout the entire race. As we will be using the same tyre this season, I am eager to build on this momentum and strive for yet another victory.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The Goodyear Tyre & Rubber Company has announced a significant expansion of its consumer product line with the introduction of three new all-terrain tyres – the Wrangler Outbound AT, Wrangler Workhorse AT 2 and Wrangler ElectricDrive AT – to meet the robust and varied demands of modern drivers. This strategic expansion into key growth segments addresses the needs of a diverse range of vehicles, from adventure-ready SUVs and light trucks to commercial work vans and the latest electric pickup trucks.

Each model is engineered for a specific purpose. The Wrangler Outbound AT targets off-road enthusiasts who also require refined on-road comfort, offering aggressive traction on dirt and gravel alongside durable Kevlar reinforcement and a long-term warranty. Built for durability in commercial and heavy-use settings, the Wrangler Workhorse AT 2 provides enhanced wet-weather grip and a snow-rating for all-season reliability across tough job sites and rural routes. Finally, acknowledging the automotive industry's shift, the Wrangler ElectricDrive AT is specifically crafted for electric vehicles, combining rugged all-terrain capability with winter certification and integrated noise-reduction technology to suit the silent nature of EVs.

This comprehensive lineup strengthens Goodyear's portfolio by delivering targeted solutions that promise reliability and adaptability for every journey. All three tyres are now available through Goodyear's retail network and authorised dealers across the United States and Canada, supported by the company's standard satisfaction guarantee.

Jonathan Thomas, Director – Category and Strategy, Goodyear, said, "Goodyear continues to lead the way in tyre innovation by listening to our customers and anticipating their needs. This new all-terrain premium lineup reflects our drive to deliver cutting-edge solutions for every kind of journey – from job sites to backcountry trails to the growing fleet of electric vehicles. We're proud to offer these tyres across the US and Canada, helping drivers go further with confidence."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., has announced a dominant performance for its flagship ADVAN racing tyres at the seventh round of the 2025 AUTOBACS SUPER GT Series. During the demanding three-hour race at the AUTOPOLIS circuit, the podium for the GT300 class was exclusively claimed by teams equipped with ADVAN tyres, marking the brand's fourth class victory of the season.

The winning car was the No. 666 seven × seven PORSCHE GT3R, which achieved a dramatic come-from-behind victory. In a tumultuous race featuring multiple safety car periods and penalties, the Porsche steadily advanced through the field after other ADVAN-shod cars, specifically the No. 7 CARGUY FERRARI and the No. 0 VENTENY Lamborghini, battled for the early lead. The Porsche ultimately seized the top position, securing a historic first SUPER GT win for the seven × seven Racing team. This result powerfully demonstrated how critical tyre performance and management are to success in such a long-distance race.

The superiority of the ADVAN tyres was further underscored by the complete lockout of the top five finishing positions in the GT300 class. Following the podium finishers, the fourth and fifth place cars from KONDO RACING and VELOREX were also fitted with Yokohama’s high-performance rubber. This overwhelming result at Autopolis provides significant momentum for Yokohama Rubber as the series approaches its final round. The company has confirmed it will continue its technical support for multiple teams, with the clear objective of clinching a second consecutive GT300 class championship title in November.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!