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)

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Rally Sweden, the only event on the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar contested entirely on snow and ice, returns to the wintry forests surrounding Umeå from 12 to 15 February. As Round 2 of the 2026 season, it marks the first true winter challenge for Hankook Tire, the championship’s exclusive tyre supplier. With approximately 300 kilometres of special stages divided into 18 high-speed tests, crews will push Rally1 cars to nearly 200 kmph and 8,500 rpm, making precision car control, reliable braking and unerring tyre grip the deciding factors in what has been a WRC fixture since 1950.

For this uniquely demanding environment, Hankook equips competitors with the Winter i*Pike SR10W, a competition tyre engineered specifically for frozen surfaces. Its specially developed ice-rally stud pins and asymmetric tread pattern ensure powerful traction, stable cornering grip and consistent braking on both snow-covered and icy roads. Following a strong debut at the 2025 running of Rally Sweden, where drivers and officials commended its performance, the tyre returns with proven credentials and confidence that it will again meet the extreme demands of the frozen north.

The championship narrative intensifies on home ground for Oliver Solberg. The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing driver arrives in Sweden as the early series leader after his historic victory at Rallye Monte-Carlo, where he became the youngest winner of the event in the 21st century. With momentum and national expectations behind him, the young Swede now aims to extend his title challenge on home snow.

Hankook’s involvement in WRC extends beyond tyre supply. Since becoming the exclusive tyre provider for all classes in 2025, the company has continued to reinforce its global motorsport credentials. By channelling technical insights from more than 70 racing series into product development, Hankook systematically transforms real-world performance data into advancements for ultra-high-performance road tyres, strengthening its technology leadership in both competition and commercial spheres.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Tyres Europe is actively participating in the UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) Working Party on Noise and Tyres (GRBP), where efforts are underway to establish viable tyre abrasion limits. The organisation is contributing to the UNECE Task Force on Tyre Abrasion, which is advancing a proposed Regulation introducing abrasion requirements for type approval. This follows prior agreement on measurement methodologies, with the current focus shifting towards setting specific abrasion limits for passenger car tyres.

By providing ongoing technical input, Tyres Europe aims to support the creation of abrasion rules that are not only ambitious from an environmental standpoint but also practically enforceable. The organisation stresses the importance of globally harmonised standards for tyres, a product traded worldwide, to ensure consistent regulatory compliance and prevent market fragmentation. According to Secretary General Adam McCarthy, well-aligned international rules are also critical for the successful application of the Euro 7 framework within the European Union. Tyres Europe remains committed to contributing to the UNECE work programme to help shape abrasion provisions that can be effectively implemented and progressively refined over time.

Adam McCarthy, Secretary General, Tyres Europe, said, “Reducing tyre abrasion is an important environmental objective and it requires rules that are not only ambitious but also enforceable in practice. For a global product like tyres, globally aligned standards help deliver consistent compliance outcomes and avoid fragmentation across markets. This is also essential to support effective implementation under the Euro 7 framework in the EU.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Arun Mammen, chairman of the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA), was part of the prime minister’s official delegation during a recent visit to Malaysia aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and economic co-operation between the two countries.

The visit provided a platform for engagement between Indian and Malaysian industry leaders across emerging and strategic sectors. Malaysian businesses expressed interest in collaborating with Indian companies in recycling and sustainability, technical textiles, defence components and advanced manufacturing equipment.

During the meetings, Mammen outlined the growth trajectory of the Indian tyre industry, citing rising domestic demand, export potential and an increased focus on innovation, sustainability and circular economy practices.

Industry representatives in Malaysia signalled interest in expanding partnerships, pointing to scope for greater industry-to-industry co-operation in the coming years.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

At the Green Week 2026 in Berlin, AZuR network’s partner NEW LIFE reached an audience of 350,000 by showcasing the environmental potential of mechanically recycling tyres into high-quality raw materials and end products. Operating under the banner ‘ZERO WASTE INSTEAD OF ZERO FUTURE’, the group occupied a central position in the newly established ZERO themed area. One of the most engaging exhibits was a large tortoise sculpture from partner KRAIBURG Relastec, crafted entirely from rubber granulate, which captured the imagination of younger attendees and symbolised the creative reuse of materials.

The very floor of the exhibition space demonstrated a practical application, being composed of interlocking tiles made from recycled tyre rubber supplied by MRH Mülsen. Visitors and exhibitors alike noted the comfort and resilience of this flooring, which reduced leg fatigue over long days and offered benefits such as impact noise reduction, high durability and easy cleaning. The simple click-together installation, requiring no adhesives, further underscored the product’s practicality and reusability.

Network coordinator Christina Guth observed enthusiastically broad and positive engagement from diverse sectors including politics, municipal planning, agriculture and landscaping. This sentiment was echoed by Elke Sondermann-Becker of Regupol, who noted that the strong public interest reflected a contemporary demand for sustainable solutions made from recycled materials. The initiative’s message was further amplified through an interactive quiz on the main stage in Hall 27, where attendees could win items like an elegant vase from Conradi+Kaiser or horse figurines, all made from rubber granulate.

During the Green Week Startup Days, Daniel Schockmann from Regupol took to the stage to outline how tyre recycling opens new pathways for a climate-friendly circular economy, highlighting solutions that are both ecologically and economically sound. Meanwhile, a dedicated specialist conference, the PLAYGROUND:TALKS, addressed sustainable urban recreational spaces. Experts including Sabine Rehberg, Dr Georg Maxein and Ralf Hertrampf presented to approximately 150 guests on the critical role of rubber granulate fall protection surfacing.

These elastic, impact-absorbing floors – installable as seamless surfaces or tiles – meet stringent safety standards for indoor and outdoor use, protecting against injuries from falls of up to three metres. They are robust, weather-resistant and slip-resistant while also offering design versatility through various colours and finishes. Beyond enhancing safety and accessibility, such solutions help municipalities and clubs achieve budgetary efficiency and a reduced environmental footprint, proving that innovation in tyre recycling supports both community well-being and circular economy goals.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!