Nokian Tyres has started delivering tyres from its new factory in Oradea, Romania. Winter and all-season tyres are the first to be delivered to clients and consumers in Central Europe via Nokian Tyres distribution centres.

Strategically located close to Central and South European consumers and customers, the factory will focus on passenger car tyres for these markets. The groundbreaking ceremony was held in May 2023 and the first tyre was manufactured in July 2024. The plant uses the most up-to-date technology to manufacture tyres and is the first full-scale, carbon-free tyre factory in the world. All of its energy is produced without the use of fossil fuels. The factory has already received three prestigious awards, namely the 2025 Award for Environmental Achievement of the Year – Industry Contribution at the Tyre Technology International Awards for Innovation and Excellence, Business Review’s Award for The Most Impactful Investment of the Year 2025 in Romania and the Sustainable Manufacturing Award 2025 in Romania – Industry Tomorrow.

The first passenger car tyre line made at the Romanian facility, the Nokian Tyres Seasonproof 2, was just introduced by the firm. By the fall of 2025, customers in Central and South Europe will be able to purchase the all-season tyre line in sizes suitable for contemporary passenger cars, SUVs, and CUVs. In addition to offering outstanding performance and a comfortable driving experience in the summer, the tyre offers outstanding grip on snow and slush. Up to 38 percent of the materials used in Nokian Tyres Seasonproof 2 are recycled, renewable, and ISCC PLUS certified. It is the first tyre produced commercially by the firm that has such a large percentage of recycled and renewable materials. The firm plans to provide additional Romanian-made products for drivers throughout Central and South Europe in the upcoming months and years.

Along with plants in Dayton, US, and Nokia, Finland, the Romanian plant is the company's third production facility. To draw in competent workers, the company is actively recruiting in Romania, particularly in Bihor County. The factory currently employs around 300 workers and expects the workforce to be over 500 when the factory is at full capacity.

Paolo Pompei, President and CEO, Nokian Tyres, said, “This week marks the start of the tyre deliveries from our factory in Oradea, Romania. The first truck loaded with Oradea made tyres left from the factory taking the tyres to our distribution centres and later to our customer and consumers in Central and South Europe. The factory, which is the world’s first full-scale zero CO2 emission tyre factory, will strengthen our ability to serve our consumers and customers in Central and South Europe and beyond and support our growth. Reaching this milestone in less than two years from the Groundbreaking of the factory is a significant achievement for us and I am very proud of the Nokian Tyres team who has worked hard to make this possible. I also want to thank all partners and Romanian officials who have helped us along the way.”

Zeon Corporation has secured a Bronze rating in the sustainability assessment conducted by EcoVadis SAS, a gobally recognised sustainability rating agency based in France.

EcoVadis SAS uses four criteria – environment, labour and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement – to assess the sustainability performance of more than 150,000 businesses and organisations in 185 countries. Zeon Group received the Bronze rating, which is granted to the top 35 percent of assessed businesses and organizations, in recognition of their efforts.

With the aim of attaining sustainable growth alongside society and in accordance with the company’s corporate philosophy of ‘Contributing to the preservation of the Earth and the prosperity of the human race’, Zeon has been advocating for sustainability management. The company reaffirmed its continuous support to tackle environmental and social challenges while striving to live up to societal expectations.

Hoosier Racing Tire, a subsidiary of Continental AG specialising in the production of racing tyres, has expanded its range of 13-inch radial slick tyres with new sizes and compounds designed specifically for F4, F3 and Radical race cars.

The MS compound combines exceptional performance with unmatched reliability. In terms of operating range, longevity and repeatability across several heat cycles, the compound's special formula has been race-proven in numerous formula car spec tyre series and is regarded as the industry standard by many open wheel racers.

Starting in 2025, the North and Central American (NACAM) Formula 4 Championship series will use the new Hoosier MS tyres, which come in sizes 200/540R13 and 250/575R13. As the exclusive tyre for the Hoosier Formula Cup Championships in the Ultimate Cup European Series, the Hoosier MS tyres in the 240/580R13 and 300/590R13 are starting their second season.

Linglong Tire, one of the world's leading tyre manufacturers, will make its debut with a stand at Autopromotec in Bologna, Italy, from 21 to 24 May 2025. The company will exhibit its main brand, Linglong, together with the two Group brands, Crosswind and Leao Tire, which are also sold in Europe, in Hall 20 (booth no. C 68).

The company will display the most significant Linglong passenger vehicle profiles, including the Sport Master and the Linglong Sport Master e, which has been tuned for NEVs. Along with new original equipment tyres that Linglong will provide straight to the OEM manufacturing line, the stand's main attraction will be the new Linglong van tyre Dura Master Van e, which will mark its global debut in Bologna. Also on display will be the primary Linglong truck tyres, all of which are produced in the recently constructed European tyre factory in Serbia, together with a variety of special tyres (OTR). The most significant car and truck tyres from the Leao Tire brand will also be on display, along with the newest Crosswind brand profiles, which are made solely in Europe.

Chinese tyre manufacturer Linglong Tire has launched its first overseas training centre in the Asia-Pacific region, marking a significant expansion of its global service infrastructure.

The nearly 2,000 square-metre facility, located in the southern Thai province of Chumphon, was officially opened by Yongchao Xu, Vice President of Linglong Tire, and Prasert Tanpibulsak, Chairman of local partner Sanguan Yangyont Chumphon Co., Ltd. (SYY).

The centre is designed to provide comprehensive training for dealers and workshop staff. It features fully equipped workshops, conference rooms, and a service area with an integrated brand shop. Training programmes will cover practical skills such as tyre-fitting, balancing, wheel alignment, and maintenance of automotive accessories such as batteries, brake pads, engine oil, shock absorbers, and rims.

Yongchao Xu, Vice President of Linglong Tire, and Prasert Tanpibulsak, Chairman of SYY, together with numerous dealers from all over the Asia-Pacific region, opened the almost 2000 m² training center, which is in the Thai province of Chumphon, in the southern part of the country.  It has a training area, several conference rooms, fully equipped workshops and a service area with an integrated Linglong brand shop to provide dealers and workshop staff with comprehensive and professional information and training in theory and practice. In the service area, everyday workshop life is simulated, and training courses are possible, for example, in the areas of tyre fitting, balancing and wheel alignment, but training is also provided in the sale and maintenance of accessories such as batteries, brake pads, engine oil, shock absorbers and rims.

In his speech, Xu Yongchao, Vice President of Linglong Tire, said, “The training center developed jointly with SYY is a critical building block for Linglong’s strategic expansion in the Asia-Pacific region. Our goal is to use this platform to establish service standards and standardised training for service providers and dealers to improve their service and competitiveness in the market. In addition, we look forward to introducing our premium Linglong brand and Linglong’s latest and greatest products to many consumers.”

SYY Chairman  Prasert Tanpibulsak: “As a globally renowned tire brand, Linglong Tire has long been known for its product quality and outstanding service. We are pleased to partner with Linglong to set up this premium training centre. We are confident that this platform will enable our channel partners to serve consumers even more professionally and better and drive Linglong’s sustainable growth in the Thai market together.”

This expansion follows Linglong Tire’s commitment to strengthening its international presence and providing localised support to its growing global customer base.