German tyre major Continental has announced that Dr Jochen Etzel, Chief Executive Officer of Continental Tire the Americas, is set to retire of 1 May 2025, after spending over three decades with the company.

He is set to be succeeded by Tansu Işık and will also take on the responsibility as the new Head of Continental’s Business Area Replacement Tires the Americas. He (Işık) will report to Christian Koetz, Executive Board Member of Continental and Head of Continental Tires.

The German major acknowledges Etzel’s contribution to Continental’s tyre business in the Americas, where he took on the responsibility in 2011. He is credited for uniting the various Continental tyre activities in the region and further strengthening their competitive position. Starting his career as a lawyer in Continental’s corporate law department Etzel took over a financial manager position, responsible for developing the company’s tyre business in regions outside of Europe, before leading Continental’s corporate Mergers and Acquisitions team. 

Christian Koetz, said, "Jochen’s impact on Continental’s tyre business has been immeasurable. On behalf of the entire Tires Board, I want to sincerely thank him for his leadership, dedication and outstanding contributions throughout his tenure. We wish him a well-deserved and fulfilling retirement. At the same time, we are excited to welcome Tansu Işık into his new role as Head of our Business Area Replacement Tires the Americas. With his deep tires expertise and strategic insight, he is perfectly equipped to build on our success and lead our tire business in the Americas into the future."

With over 20 years of international experience, Işık has held various positions across Continental’s tyres business, including marketing, supply chain, strategy and key account management.

Starting his career as a Business Development Specialist in Istanbul, Türkiye, Işık moved to Continental Tires’ Headquarters in Hanover, Germany, as Head of Pricing for the region Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). He then took on the role of Direct and then Vice President for Key Account Management (OE) for China and the Asia-Pacific region. At present, Işık serves as the Head of Region South & Channels Fleet and OE Trailer for Continental replacement tyre business in the EMEA region.

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Vaculug, Europe’s largest independent retreader producing high-quality OTR and truck retread tyres for fleets across the UK and Europe, has launched the ZEXY Range, a bold new line of versatile tyres designed for performance and durability, at the 2025 Road Transport Expo (RTX) last week.

Engineered to tackle every road condition, the ZEXY Range promises unmatched reliability for drivers seeking top-tier performance. Whether for long-haul journeys or urban commutes, the collection offers a tyre suited to every need.

More details about the ZEXY Range are available on the company’s official website.

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Michelin has introduced its new X Multi Z2 all-position tyre in sizes 11R22.5 and 295/75R22.5, engineered for food logistics, urban delivery and transit operations. This regional tyre delivers durability and reliable traction in harsh weather, helping fleets maintain efficiency without increasing costs.

SmartWay-verified and 3PMSF-rated, the X Multi Z2 offers 20 percent more mileage and 17 percent lower rolling resistance than its predecessor, the XZE2. These gains come from Michelin’s Regenion technology, which enhances tread efficiency for long-lasting traction. The tyre also features Powercoil technology for improved casing durability, ensuring dependable performance throughout its lifespan. Designed for cost-conscious fleets, the X Multi Z2 balances performance and economy for mission-critical operations.

Pierluigi Cumo, VP – B2B Marketing, Michelin North America, Inc, said, “In the high-stakes world of delivery and logistics, your schedule is only as reliable as your tyres. The Michelin X Multi Z2 tyre is designed to help regional fleets achieve promised deliveries. Urban mobility and logistics thrive on precision, and Michelin X Multi Z2 tyres are the foundation that can keep fleets moving when every minute matters. Michelin's track record speaks for itself delivering on its promise of unmatched quality and endurance in every product it creates. When performance is non-negotiable and reliability is essential, Michelin stands as the benchmark of quality the world drives on.”

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Forvia and Michelin, co-shareholders of Symbio together with Stellantis, have provided several crucial explanations in the wake of a press release dated 15 July 2025 regarding Symbio's future.

In May, Stellantis notified Michelin and Forvia that it will cease its hydrogen-related operations by 2026. Stellantis, a co-shareholder and Symbio's largest client, has long aimed to influence the hydrogen mobility market for light commercial vehicles, so this sudden change comes as a surprise, according to Michelin’s 16 July statement, because about 80 percent of Symbio's anticipated manufacturing volume comes from Stellantis' orders alone.

Based on Stellantis' stated needs for the next eight years, Symbio has scaled its recruiting, investments and development plan during the last two years. All shareholders, including Stellantis's own teams, have verified the technology and functionality of Symbio's systems. More recently, Symbio was ready to manufacture hydrogen fuel cells for Stellantis vehicles that qualified for this programme as part of the French government's call for proposals, which was released in April 2025.

The statement further said that Symbio will suffer permanent operational and financial repercussions as a result of Stellantis' choice, adding that Forvia and Michelin are especially worried about how it would affect Symbio's 50 employees overseas and its 590 employees in France. Forvia and Michelin are in frequent communication with the government in this regard.

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The European Court of First Instance partially annulled the European Commission's decision regarding searches conducted in January 2024 as part of an antitrust probe into possible cartel activity in the tire industry. Michelin acknowledged the 9 July 2025 ruling, expressing satisfaction with the outcome. The company stated it would not appeal the decision but remains committed to defending its position as the investigation continues into other periods flagged by the Commission.

This development suggests procedural or jurisdictional flaws in the initial raids, though the broader inquiry persists. Michelin's response indicates cautious cooperation while maintaining its stance on compliance and legal rights. The case highlights ongoing regulatory scrutiny in the automotive sector, with potential implications for competition enforcement practices.

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