The benefits of this are multiple. First of all, they don’t need to offer the full range of sizes to stake their claim as a racing tyre manufacturer. And I need to stress I’m talking about road car racing, not F1 racers, as those tyres are basically rocket science at this point. Many Chinese factories seem to have launched their racing tyre range for a very specific purpose, as they only have a few sizes, and sometimes very odd ones. For example, I saw a factory with just three different sizes for their racing tyre pattern, and one of them was 255/55R18. Just in case you want to rock your BMW X5 on the racing track, maybe? I can’t help but giggle at the image of drifting SUVs. Secondly, they don’t even need to be very good at it, or to be able to make very innovative products. It’s much easier to develop a product for a very specific purpose and just make it ‘good enough’, without engaging in the top five percent where all the heavy investment and R&D is needed to churn out those milliseconds that make all the difference for the top performers. Actually, when catering to the segment that just wants to burn tyres – drifters, for example – the usually all-important grip factor suddenly becomes negligible. And offering a budget option is attractive to those burning tyres on their own bill.

Design wise also racing tyres are very different from regular car tyres, in that they’re basically slicks with a flashy looking single lightning groove from close to the centre to the edge. Hard to make that design truly unique, but that also means that nobody can be blamed when designing something a bit too similar to something already on the market. Function before looks in this case, I’m sure. And in terms of rubber compounds, there are usually two or three different ones, depending on specific client needs, and they’re made to order. The hardest compounds are naturally for the drifters, and the softer ones for track racing.

But, in spite of the designs being simple, compounds not challenging to make, and the fact that the size range doesn’t need to be extensive, launching a racing tyre range still somehow reflects positively on all the regular passenger car tyres in the manufacturer’s range. As if the fact that they can design and produce tyres for high-performance racing machines also means that their standard range offers better handling or on-road performance to vehicles run by weekend warriors or others who might drive a station wagon, but really are race car drivers at heart.

That is, of course, if the Chinese budget manufacturers used this in their global marketing strategy – and in most cases, had one to begin with. The days where Chinese tyres could be sold on price alone are over, as output has far exceeded demand, but it’s striking to see how few have actually invested in their future market shares. For the layman, trying to name five major Chinese tyre manufacturers (or any of their brands) would be a tall order. Trying to name any that produce racing tyres would be even harder. Even for those inside the industry, very few know how many produce racing tyres or other specialised tyre products, because they often produce for a single client and don’t use this in active marketing. And no, a ‘sales manager’ posting a picture on LinkedIn doesn’t count. The brands and tyre manufacturers in China that will prevail are those able to build a global marketing strategy and naturally possess the skills to stay at the front of product development and gradually move out of the ultra-budget segment. The rest will learn the hardship of selling cheap tyres on price alone when China isn’t cheap anymore. (TT)

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Michelin has introduced its first tyre engineered specifically for the new generation of wide body trucks, bringing its established safety and performance standards to a segment traditionally served by Tier-3 products. The MICHELIN XDR Wide Body Truck is positioned as a premium offering for mining fleets, built to handle high loads and speeds while delivering robustness and puncture resistance in demanding mining environments.

Wide body trucks are gaining global traction in mining because they strike an appealing balance among payload capacity, safety and acquisition cost. Michelin developed and launched the new fitment in under two years by combining intensive field analysis with agility, responding to mining customers’ needs for safety and productivity. The tyre also supports fleets moving towards more efficient and increasingly electrified haulage solutions, addressing demands for safety, productivity and operating cost control.

Safety remains paramount in mining, where a tyre failure can seriously affect personnel, equipment and operational continuity. The new tyre therefore features an innovative casing fully reinforced with thick steel cords, enabling it to carry 12 tonnes (26,786 lbs) per tyre at a recommended pressure of 9-bar (130 PSI) – significantly lower than typical market recommendations, which helps reduce blowout risk.

The MICHELIN XDR Wide Body Truck sustains heavy loads at continuous speeds, supporting productivity during intensive duty cycles. It offers strong traction, particularly on soft or muddy ground, while its robust tread compound resists damage, provides excellent grip and extends service life, optimising total cost of ownership. These qualities help cut unplanned downtime and maintenance costs, improve equipment availability and maximise material haulage volumes. The tyre launches worldwide in its first size, 16.00 R25, on 1 November 2026, with additional sizes to follow.

Kevin Maleterre, Director – Michelin Beyond Road, said, “Wide body trucks are playing an increasingly important role in mining operations. With the MICHELIN XDR Wide Body Truck, we are applying our expertise in mining applications to this new generation of vehicles, with a clear aim: to help our customers combine safety, productivity and the development of their fleets.”

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Tegeta Green Planet recently participated in youth forums held across five Georgian cities – Mestia, Telavi, Gori, Kutaisi and Zugdidi – as part of the Eco Awards School Competition. The events gave young people a platform to exchange knowledge on environmental issues, explore new ideas and discuss green initiatives.

Alongside the discussions, display areas devoted to Tegeta Green Planet and Amboli introduced visitors to the two organisations' work, their approach to handling waste and their sense of environmental duty. Guests stopping by the Tegeta Green Planet section heard about the company's core operations, the thinking behind Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and why the circular economy matters.

A varied programme kept participants engaged, with educational games and hands-on exercises built to sharpen their grasp of environmental questions and push them to put what they learned into practice. International specialists and invited speakers also addressed the forums, drawing on their own experience to examine ecological difficulties and possible remedies.

Organised to deepen environmental consciousness among the young and advance sustainable development, the Eco Awards School Competition drew 280 pupils and 100 teachers from 24 public schools throughout Georgia. It operates with backing from the European Union and the United Nations through the Circular Economy Promotion Programme. For Tegeta Green Planet, reaching young audiences is central to building a lasting sense of responsibility, with sound waste practices, resource reuse and circular economy principles at the heart of its efforts to drive long-term change.

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Discount Tire has released a new list of the longest-lasting light truck and SUV tyres, drawing on tyre life data from Treadwell, the company's tyre recommendation tool available to all consumers. Treadwell is powered by millions of real-world tyre mileage and tread depth readings along with independent testing at Treadwell Research Park.

The list identifies 10 tyre models for light truck and SUV drivers that exceed a 70,000-mile median lifespan under normal driving conditions. Every tyre carrying a listed limited treadwear warranty also surpasses its manufacturer warranty by more than 10,000 miles.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, American drivers average 13,400 miles per year. On top-performing tyres, a light truck or SUV owner could gain an extra year or more before needing a tyre change. Treadwell's aggregated lifespan figures reflect drivers who properly maintain their tyres, including regular rotations and wheel alignments, with median values collected to 2/32-inch tread – generally considered, and in some states legally mandated as, the minimum viable tread depth. Actual results may vary based on driving location and habits, such as regular highway or all-terrain use.

Discount Tire developed Treadwell using decades of data and independent testing to deliver a hassle-free tool offering personalised tyre recommendations based on where, what and how drivers drive. More than 20 million people used Treadwell online and in stores in the past year.

Dr John Baldwin, Chief Product and Technical Strategist, Discount Tire, said, "If you're driving a light truck or SUV and prioritise getting additional miles of safe driving out of your tyres, Treadwell can be a source of unbiased advice. Our goal is always to be there for our customers when and where they need tyres, which is why Treadwell is available online and used each day in our stores to empower drivers to find the best tyres for their vehicle."

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Plaza Tire Service, a prominent tyre and automotive service provider in the Midwest and member of the Sun Auto Network, has expanded its footprint with a new store in Mattoon, Illinois. The addition strengthens the company's presence in the state and offers drivers throughout Central Illinois improved access to trusted tyre and vehicle maintenance services.

The Mattoon location provides motorists with a convenient destination for tyres, preventive maintenance and automotive repair. Customers can choose from an extensive inventory of leading tyre brands while accessing a full range of services, including oil changes, brake service, batteries, alignments, steering and suspension repair and other routine maintenance.

Plaza Tire Service emphasises selection, convenience and value through its Price Match Guarantee and signature 4 Tires in 1 Hour Guarantee, with broad in-stock inventory available for same-day installation. Founded in Missouri in 1963, the company has become one of the Midwest's largest tyre and automotive service providers, operating across five states while combining regional heritage with the resources of the more than 600-location Sun Auto Network.

Rob Kingery, Regional Vice President, Sun Auto Tire & Service, said, "We're excited to bring Plaza Tire Service to Mattoon and introduce more drivers to the convenience, value and trusted service that have defined our brand for more than 60 years. This location allows us to serve the community with the tyre expertise, same-day service and comprehensive automotive care that customers have come to expect from Plaza Tire Service."

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