Sailun Group reported a fall in first-half profit even as revenue hit a record high, as rising costs offset strong sales growth at home and abroad.

Net profit attributable to shareholders dropped 14.9 percent to 1.83 billion yuan in the six months ended June 30, the company said in its half-year report to the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Operating revenue rose 16.1 percent to 17.59 billion yuan, driven by higher domestic sales and robust overseas demand.

Total profit fell 12.3 percent to 2.15 billion yuan, while earnings per share slid to 0.56 yuan from 0.66 yuan a year earlier. By contrast, operating cash flow surged 179 percent to 884 million yuan, reflecting stronger cash receipts from sales.

Overseas revenue jumped 18.7 percent to 13.41 billion yuan, accounting for more than three-quarters of the total, with domestic sales up 9.2% at 3.98 billion yuan.

The Qingdao-based company, ranked the world’s 10th largest tyre producer by industry publications, said it will pay an interim cash dividend of 0.15 yuan per share.

Sailun has stepped up global expansion to strengthen its supply chain resilience. Its new plants in Indonesia and Mexico rolled out their first tyres within nine to twelve months of breaking ground, among the fastest construction paces in the sector. In August, the company announced a plan to invest in a new facility in Egypt with an annual capacity of 3.6 million radial tyres.

It also continued investments in ongoing projects, including the third-phase expansion in Vietnam, semi-steel and all-steel tyre projects in Cambodia, and further capacity build-out in Indonesia and Mexico. In total, Sailun and its subsidiaries committed nearly 8.8 billion yuan in equity investments during the first half, funding both domestic sales companies and overseas units.

“The company has continuously promoted its globalisation strategy and intelligent manufacturing level to provide high-performance products for global users,” Sailun said in the filing.

Sailun warned that it continues to face risks from raw material price volatility, intensifying competition from global rivals such as Michelin and Bridgestone, and rising trade barriers in overseas markets.

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Bridgestone has introduced the Potenza Sport EVO, an ultra-high-performance tyre that represents a significant evolution of its acclaimed Potenza Sport line. This next-generation tyre is engineered to deliver superior sports performance, enhanced safety in wet conditions, increased longevity and greater energy efficiency. A key feature is its expanded size range, ensuring compatibility with a broader spectrum of high-performance vehicles.

Central to the tyre's advancement is the incorporation of Bridgestone's ENLITEN Technology, a forward-thinking engineering approach designed to provide uncompromised performance while supporting sustainability. This technology ensures the Potenza Sport EVO is fully prepared to meet the unique demands of both electric vehicles and traditional internal combustion engines.

The performance gains are substantial. The tyre provides exceptional control and stability during high-speed driving, whether on straightaways or through corners. Its wet grip is best-in-class, achieving a top EU label A-grade and enabling a five percent shorter wet braking distance compared to its predecessor. This is complemented by a two percent improvement in dry braking. These handling and safety benefits are the result of specific innovations, including a high-stiffness compound for stability, a dedicated construction with a stiff carcass and a sporty, asymmetric profile shape. For wet grip, a bespoke compound with optimised fillers works in synergy with a precisely engineered tread pattern.

Beyond performance, the Potenza Sport EVO offers notable practical advantages. It provides a fifteen percent increase in mileage, translating to thousands of additional kilometres of use. Furthermore, its rolling resistance is reduced by up to six percent, which contributes to improved fuel efficiency for conventional cars and extends the driving range of electric vehicles.

Developed in Europe, the Potenza Sport EVO will be available in 139 sizes across a 17- to 23-inch spectrum, a considerable expansion that fulfils 92 percent of the sport market's coverage needs. The launch will occur in two phases, beginning with 92 sizes in January 2026 and the remainder following in 2027, making the tyre available across numerous global markets.

Stefano Sanchini, Vice President Consumer Replacement at Bridgestone EMEA, said, “The new Bridgestone Potenza Sport EVO with ENLITEN Technology is built for high-performance vehicles and drivers, whatever the powertrain. Building on the success of the remarkable Potenza Sport – a tyre chosen as original equipment by many of the world’s most prestigious car brands, like Lamborghini, Maserati and Porsche – it continues the proud Potenza family legacy.”

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Vredestein Tires, the renowned  European tyre brand from Apollo Tyres Ltd, immersed attendees in the vibrant automotive culture of the 1980s and 1990s at the recent RADwood SoCal event. The brand curated a compelling showcase of era-defining vehicles, each fitted with period-correct Vredestein tyres to celebrate its legacy of combining classic authenticity with modern performance. A key attraction was a 1985 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet, equipped with Hitracs tyres and on loan from the Petersen Automotive Museum, which will be awarded in a forthcoming November sweepstakes.

Further demonstrating its product versatility, Vredestein collaborated with Los Angeles automotive influencers Abraham Ruffei, Armagan Sezenol and Steve Ellis. Their vehicles, including an R34 Nissan Skyline, a classic Jeep Grand Wagoneer and a Mercedes-Benz E320 Cabriolet, were prominently displayed on Vredestein tyres.

The complete Vredestein corral featured:

    1994 Mercedes-Benz E320 Cabriolet, on Hypertrac tyres
    1982 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, on Vredestein Pinza AT tyres
    1998 Nissan R34 Skyline, on Hypertrac tyres
    1986 Land Rover Defender, on Vredestein Pinza AT tyres
    1999 Plymouth Grand Voyager Expresso, on Hypertrac tyres
    1985 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet, on Hitrac tyres
    1986 DINAN 635CSI, on Hypertrac tyres
    1987 BMW 325, on Sprint+ tyres

Art Cervantes, Founder, RADwood, said, “Vredestein Tires is a proud supporter of RADwood and this nostalgic era of automobiles. They love helping vehicle owners across the country find those hard-to-source, period-correct sizes that complement their full array of tyre styles. Each tyre delivers performance, a premium driving experience and is aesthetically appropriate for modern classics. It’s a brand for people who love cars and see driving as an experience.”

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Prometeon Tyre Group, a leading company in the commercial, agricultural and OTR tyre sectors, is displaying its advanced Serie 02 radial tyres at the ongoing Agritechnica 2025, the world’s largest trade fair for agricultural machinery, which is being held in Hannover, Germany, from 9 to 15 November 2025. The company is featuring its AT02 model, a key part of its agricultural line, within the Sindipeças exhibit, a Brazilian automotive components association. This highlights a natural link to Brazil, where Prometeon manufactures these tyres at its Gravataí and Santo André facilities.

The Serie 02 range, designed for tractors (AT02), harvesters (H02) and sprayers (SX02), incorporates significant technological advancements. Its design includes reinforced lugs and an optimised tread that enhance traction and self-cleaning while reducing fuel consumption. The radial structure utilises advanced polymers to create a larger footprint, which improves load distribution, minimises soil compaction and boosts overall productivity. Built for durability, these tyres offer excellent resistance to cuts, chipping and wear. Their versatility ensures reliable performance across diverse terrains and conditions, including road travel, where they provide safety, comfort and dependable handling.

Dario Gotti, Global Head of OE and Agro Business at Prometeon, said, “Our established presence in the LATAM market has made us a benchmark in terms of performance and brand awareness in the agricultural tyre sector. Prometeon’s strategy is to extend this leadership globally, as we have already done in the Truck & Bus Radial tyres segment. In this context, Agritechnica represents an important opportunity for us to meet key customers and OEMs, with whom we have longstanding partnerships. The agricultural tyre business requires a high level of expertise, both in research and development and in manufacturing processes – elements that are core to Prometeon and allow us to play a leading role in the international market.”

Igor Zucato, Global Head of Agro R&D at Prometeon, said, “The new Serie 02 product line for the Agro business represents the culmination of our research in terms of efficiency, sustainability and performance. Every component – from the radial structure to the material compounds – has been designed to meet the needs of an increasingly technological and productivity-driven sector. Our goal is to provide operators with solutions that enhance agricultural work while reducing fuel consumption and the environmental impact.”

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Making a powerful debut at the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Doublestar Tire captivated the global automotive industry with a display of innovative products. This premier event for customisation and accessories, which attracts top enterprises and professionals from over 130 countries, served as the ideal platform for the company to demonstrate Chinese manufacturing and technological advancement. Doublestar’s booth, emphasising high performance and green technology, became a central hub for visiting partners and industry experts.

The company’s strategy was precisely tailored to the specific demands of the American market, focusing on tyres for popular pickup trucks and SUVs used for long-distance highway travel. Key products included the Wildpuma AT10, noted for its exceptional wet grip and stable handling, and the durable, wear-resistant TBR tyre DLS918, designed for extended mileage. The vibrant on-site response saw numerous clients expressing strong collaborative interest, with Doublestar affirming its commitment to deepening its market presence in the United States.

Beyond simply meeting existing market needs, this successful appearance at SEMA proved Doublestar’s advanced capability to proactively identify and co-develop products that create new customer demand. The event ultimately served as a definitive demonstration of the brand's strength and its readiness to compete directly with leading international tire manufacturers on the global stage.

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