Nokian Tyres will celebrate the 90^th anniversary of its innovation the - winter tyre. The company states it invented the world’s first winter tyre in 1934, and 90 years later it has continued to be the pioneer of safe winter driving. The winter tyre continues to be reinvented to meet the demands of modern drivers and changing conditions.

The company invented the world’s first winter tyre to tackle the harsh Finnish winter. Prior to the invention there were no tyres suitable for winter driving: tyres had a smooth surface and required snow chains on top of them for grip in winter. The winter tyre on the other hand featured a rough tread pattern for grip and traction, and the tread pattern was also designed open enough to clean itself of snow while driving, enabling a safe journey on winter roads.

The world’s first winter tyre Kelirengas, weather tyre, was mostly designed for trucks, and two years later, in 1936, a further improved design specifically for passenger cars, Lumi-Hakkapeliitta, Snow-Hakkapeliitta, were introduced. To meet the demands of slippery roads, caused by the increased number of vehicles and ploughing, Lumi-Hakkapeliitta featured small suction cups to prevent slipping on icy surfaces. Nearly 90-years later, the Nokian Tyres Hakkapeliitta is one of the world’s best-known winter tyre brands.

In the early 1960s, studs were introduced into the design, creating yet another innovation for safe winter driving.

Nokian Tyres states that winter tyre continue to be one of the most important pieces of safety equipment for winter driving is as relevant today as it was 90 years ago. The modern winter tyre features a mix of about 100 different raw materials, roughly three times more than the winter tyre in the 1930’s, including both renewable and recycled raw materials.

Teemu Soini, VP – Innovations and Development, Nokian Tyres said, “The winter tyre taught us that we can ensure safety by keeping ahead of the challenges. As the world keeps on changing, so do the challenges. In these 90 years, the weather conditions have changed, new materials have been innovated, and product development has taken leaps towards creating more and more sustainable tyres.” 

“The two main areas of our innovation and development are safety and sustainability, and especially in winter tyres safety is a priority,” added Soini.

The modern winter tyre relies on decades of product development and innovation work. Continuous testing in real winter conditions for example in Nokian Tyres’ test centre in Finnish Lapland makes sure that the tyres from the inventor of the winter tyre will be able to safeguard drivers in all conditions.

Marko Saari, VP – Product Management, Nokian Tyres said, “Different driving conditions call for different types of winter tyres, as winter conditions vary greatly depending on the area and its climate: in Central Europe, winter has more rain, whereas in Scandinavia roads are covered in snow or ice. That’s why Nokian Tyres tailors its winter tyres according to the conditions of the area they are meant to be driven in.”

In addition to the varying winter driving conditions, development in vehicle technology affects the development of winter tyres.

“For example, tyres for EVs need to carry heavier loads because of the extra weight of the battery and instantly respond to the high-torque power. Our starting point is that all our products make driving safe no matter what car you drive. Testing has remained a key to ensure tyre performance to meet the needs of modern drivers,” says Saari.

At present, Nokian Tyres manufactures winter tyres for the Nordic market and for North America in its factory in Finland, and tyres for Central Europe will be manufactured in its factory in Romania.

The recently launched fifth-generation Pirelli P Zero UHP tyre has claimed the top spot in an independent comparative test conducted by Tyre Reviews for its standout grip, braking and driving comfort.

The new P Zero performed exceptionally well in a variety of categories when tested with a number of top UHP rivals. The tyre led the industry in wet grip and dry braking, and it performed exceptionally well in both wet and dry handling. Tyre reviews highlighted Pirelli's combination of safety, control and ride comfort, praising its excellent performance in real-world scenarios. The new P Zero received the highest ratings for braking, balance and stability in dry weather. Out of all the tyres that were tested, it had the best stopping power. Wet performance was almost as impressive, with the P Zero winning braking tests and demonstrating good resistance to aquaplaning, especially while turning. Tyre Reviews also praised its quiet and cozy ride, calling it one of the smoothest in its class.

The new P Zero is developed using Pirelli’s most sophisticated design procedures to date. During development, engineers employed proprietary algorithms and artificial intelligence technologies, which led to a revised tread shape and structure. The goal of these modifications is to shorten stopping distances and enhance tyre wear over time. Versions featuring Pirelli's Elect technology, a package designed specifically for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, are also available in the range. The company claims that Elect can contribute to a 10 percent increase in driving range.

Kumho Tire’s new ultra-high-performance (UHP) tyre, the ECSTA Sport, has been rated ‘Very Good’ in the latest Die Reifentester summer tyre test.

The tyre size used for testing was 225/40R18. Eight tyre manufacturers participated in the test, including well-known names like Goodyear, Bridgestone, Michelin and Continental. Bridgestone and Continental shared the top rating with Kumho's ECSTA Sport. The wet braking results were one of the test's main features. With a stopping distance of only 23.07 metres at 80 kmph, the ECSTA Sport outperformed every other tyre in the test. It was one of just two tyres – the other being the Continental SportContact 7 – to receive the ‘Very Good’ rating in wet handling. In dry weather, the ECSTA Sport also performed admirably. Die Reifentester gave it a ‘Very Good’ grade for dry handling, comparing it to three competitors of premium brands.

Drivers seeking precision handling, robust safety features and high mileage performance are the target market for the ECSTA Sport. The tyre, which comes in sizes 16 to 22 inches, features a new compound blend that improves high-speed stability and reduces stopping distances.

Matthias Bode, Head of Research and Development Europe at Kumho Tire, said, “We are delighted with this result from Die Reifentester. Kumho ECSTA Sport is designed to offer excellent performance for all motorists, including the most demanding drivers, and this test result is an excellent indication that we are on the right course.”

Tony Gangseung Lee, Head of Europe, said, “This test result demonstrates the commitment of Kumho to developing and producing exceptional tyres which offer excellent value to the driving public. I am delighted to see the team’s hard work being so well rewarded in this independent tyre test as we set new performance benchmarks.”

Vaculug, Europe’s largest independent tyre retreader, has joined Transaid, a UK-based international development organisation that works to improve access to healthcare and road safety in sub-Saharan Africa, as its new corporate partner.

With this, Vaculug has joined a network of 33 corporate partners from the transportation and logistics industries that offer financial assistance, operational support and expertise to help Transaid's road safety training and rural access initiatives progress. Vaculug's continued support for the organisation, which has included fundraising and involvement in awareness-raising campaigns, is now formalised. It also shows a rising interest in applying industry knowledge to global development goals in the transportation and tyre industries. Haarjeev Kandhari, the chairman of Vaculug, praised the news, emphasising the two organisations' common principles and their dedication to expanding their participation in Transaid's initiatives.

Caroline Barber, Chief Executive of Transaid, said, “The support we receive from our corporate partners is one of the key ingredients in what allows our programmes to be so successful. We’re excited for this opportunity to work more closely with the team at Vaculug; they bring a wealth of industry expertise and we are excited for what we can achieve together.”

Trelleborg Tires has added two new sizes to its TM800 ProgressiveTraction tyre range: 600/65R28 and 710/70R38. Providing improved grip, fuel economy and comfort across key agricultural applications, the new tyres are aimed at mid- to high-horsepower tractors operating across diverse field and transport environments. With this new addition, the TM800 series now provides six sizes for tractors in the 150–250 HP segment.

The proprietary ProgressiveTraction technology from Trelleborg Tires was created to improve traction by optimising important tyre components through a variety of special features. Because of its unique double-edge lug, the tread increases traction and decreases slippage while improving grip on the ground. Concurrently, an additional lug serves as an extra terrace on the tread profile, enhancing its capacity for self-cleaning and boosting overall effectiveness. The ProgressiveTraction lugs' larger base also offers improved vibration resistance, which lowers wear and increases tyre life.

When compared to rivals' tyres, the TM800 ProgressiveTraction showed up to a 17 percent increase in traction on light dirt and a 10 percent boost on hard soil. The strengthened carcass guarantees greater vehicle handling and tyre performance, especially at high speeds, while the line's unique tread pattern design and premium materials offer up to 18 percent better wear resistance against competitors on the road. Additionally, the lugs' adjusted angle and form enhance driving comfort and stability, making all working actions safer, smoother and more pleasurable.

Alessio Bucci, Global Product Marketing Director, Trelleborg, said, “With an extended range now available, the six sizes of the TM800 ProgressiveTraction series cater to the most commonly used medium-power tractors on the market. Whether in tillage, transport or field applications, the tyres deliver optimal grip, improved self-cleaning and increased comfort, making them the perfect fit for challenging agricultural environments.”