Radar Tyres, a brand owned by Singapore-headquartered Omni United, held a landmark dealer event last month in Krugersdorp, South Africa, titled ‘Mission: African Terrain’ to unveil its latest product and initiatives and announce some of the upcoming ranges. The event was graced by over 150 attendees including key dealers from South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Radar’s latest launch, the Renegade A/T Sport, is a next-generation all-terrain tyre and part of its Premium Collection. The tyre has been extensively tested and engineered to offer drivers exceptional off-road performance as well as smooth on-road ride. It is currently available in 14 sizes and comes with several safety and performance-related features that are listed below:

Ultra-Shield System: It is a combination of stone ejectors, serrations on the bottom tread and strong tie bars designed to enhance durability, increase puncture resistance and casing protection.

Gravel-Trac Technology: This features an optimised interlocking tread block design in combination with reverse radius on shoulder blocks to provide good all-terrain performance on gravel roads and exceptional traction on sand and mud.

Enduramax Compound: This is a special silica-based compound for improved cut and chip resistance and maximum grip in all conditions.

Snake-Bite Tread Block Design: This unique tread block design creates torsional strength in all directions, protecting the aggressive shoulder block, and works in tandem with the wide circumferential centre block design to provide increased stability and handling performance.

Project Safedrive

Radar Tyres also announced its Project Safedrive initiative at the event in line with its commitment to prioritising driver and vehicle safety through advanced yet affordable tyre technology.

Under this initiative, Radar announced run-flat technology in seven key sizes under its Dimax Sport and Dimax Sprint ranges for CUV drivers in South Africa. These seven key sizes will be available at subsidised rates to its dealers and are expected to be available in South Africa by the end of 2024.

The second offering under this initiative is the bulletproof tyre range, branded as Renegade Ultra, which is currently under development and undergoing ballistics testing. The range will be introduced under the Renegade series of light truck and 4x4 tyres. It will be available by Q1 of 2025.

"South Africa represents a key market for Radar Tyres, and we are proud to showcase our Radar Premium Collection – a range of tyres that rivals the performance of leading brands but comes at a much more accessible price point. The objective of Mission African Terrain is not just about showcasing products; it’s about forging strong connections with retailers and demonstrating the essence of our brand, which has always been rooted in giving back to the community. Project SafeDrive is a prime example of this commitment. We recognise the unique challenges faced by everyday drivers in South Africa, especially women, who prioritise safety and reliability on the road. By subsidising key run-flat tyre sizes, we are ensuring that safety isn't a luxury but a standard – one that is affordable and within reach for all drivers. This initiative isn't just about tyres; it’s about empowering the community, providing peace of mind, and reinforcing our dedication to making a tangible difference in the lives of South African drivers," said GS Sareen, President and CEO of Omni United.

Apollo Tyres Ltd has secured a one-season shirt-sleeve sponsorship agreement with AS Monaco, one of French football's most successful clubs, to increase awareness for its premium Vredestein brand.

This partnership will leverage Ligue 1's ranking as the fifth most watched football league in the world to raise awareness of Vredestein's award-winning products among a large audience in France and abroad. On November 22, AS Monaco's home league game against Brest will have the new sleeve branding for the first time. The Vredestein brand will be heavily promoted at Stade Louis-II for the 2024–2025 season, including on player sleeves and LED screens around the field. Exclusive social media initiatives will further help make the brand prominent, reaching a large and interested audience.

Yves Pouliquen, Vice President – Commercial, Europe, Apollo Tyres, said, “This partnership is an exciting opportunity to strengthen Vredestein’s presence in one of our key markets. AS Monaco’s rich history and commitment to excellence mirror our focus on performance and innovation. We look forward to building a successful relationship with the club and celebrating its achievements this season.”

Thibaut Chatelard, Marketing and Revenue Director, AS Monaco, said: “We are delighted to welcome Apollo Tyres and its Vredestein brand to the family of AS Monaco partners. This collaboration makes sense in view of the values we share, such as the constant pursuit of performance and excellence. There’s no doubt that this new support will be precious for the rest of our season, which promises to be thrilling.”

Nexen Tire, a leading global tyre manufacturer, has launched the Nexen N´Blue S tyre, adding to its range of summer tyres and providing drivers with advanced safety, energy efficiency and superior driving stability in wet and dry conditions.

Developed using highly dispersed silica and equipped with an optimised structural design, the Nexen N´Blue S tyre provides reduced road noise and improved driving stability. The tyre features an innovative tread compound, formulated with hydrophilic fillers and microstructure-controlled polymers, and provides lower rolling resistance and exceptional dry and wet grip. The tyre also excelled in test results by demonstrating an 11 percent improvement in wet braking distance compared to its predecessor.

Apart from providing excellent performance, the Nexen  N´Blue S also scores high on the sustainability index. The tyre provides an eco-friendly solution for environmentally conscious drivers by minimising fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The Nexen N´Blue S summer tyre is available in 58 sizes, which makes it compatible with different types of vehicles.

Kumho Tire Vietnam Co., Ltd. is all set to expand its investment project in Binh Duong province of Vietnam, with the phase 3 of expansion commencing in early 2025. This was discussed at a recent meeting between Vo Van Minh, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (PPC), and Kim Hyun Ho, General Director of Kumho Tire Vietnam Co., Ltd.

The meeting was held on 13 November at the Administrative Centre of Binh Duong province, as per an official statement. Apart from the company’s investment till date and the planned investment for phase 3, the two also discussed about the challenges and obstacles regarding procedures and processes to have more land funds to expand the manufacturing plant, along with taking measures to tackle the obstacles. Kim Hyun Ho also conveyed to the PPC Chairman that Kumho Tire Vietnam Co., Ltd. belongs to South Korea's Kumho Tire Group and is currently ranked 10th in the car tyre manufacturing industry.

The company had invested in a tyre manufacturing plant in My Phuoc 3 Industrial Park in 2007 with a total initial investment of USD 308 million, which was supplemented by another USD 300 million in 2021. This extended the factory scale to six hectares and increased the production capacity to 12.5 million tyres annually. With the expansion in early 2025, the company will raise its total investment to USD 908 million and increase the factory's production capacity to 17 million tyres annually. The expanded capacity is expected to be operational by early 2026.

Yokohama-ATG, a leading manufacturer of all-terrain and off-the-road tyres, has expanded its Galaxy MFS 101 SDS range of forklift tyres with the launch of white, non-marking tyres.

The Galaxy MFS 101 SDS range consists of puncture-proof SDS tyres with extended wear limits designed for high-intensity working shifts and long durability. These are premium, solid rubber tyres developed for tough demands, a long service life and high driving comfort. The addition of white, non-marking tyres is specifically aimed at clean working environments.

Marked by a 3-stage construction process, the forklift tyres feature reduced heat build-up, effective shock absorption and minimised vibrations. The pattern design guarantees a smooth ride and good steerability thanks to its continuous centre lug and circumferential grooves. Furthermore, the flat walls and wide flat profile offer excellent stability when using a forklift for vertical stacking. The tyres are also equipped with anti-slip steel beads for improved rim fitment

In a case study on a CAT 2.5-tonne forklift that was used for handling heavy pallets on asphalt, the Galaxy MFS 101 SDS outshone the competitors with impressive performance. The tyre delivered an approximate 900 working hours before replacement against competitors’ 500 working hours.