Three KTM X-Bow R of Team Razoon completed the endurance race of the Histo Cup at the Slovakiaring on Hankook tyres and achieved a one-two-three result. One of the team cars – number 819 with exclusive Hankook colours and branding, and driven by journalist Michael Bräutigam – finished the race P2 in the TCO 6 class.

Bräutigam started Saturday’s race sixth on the grid and made his way up to finish P4, only three tenths from the podium place. But during Sunday’s race, his luck ran out after he was forced to retire following an accident. Despite the retirement, Brautigam was classified P2 behind Daniel Drexel in the sister car.

Talking about the race, Bräutigam said, “We got off to the ideal start at the Slovakiaring with the one-two-three result on Friday. On Saturday, a spot on the podium in the overall standings was within reach. Another lap and it might have been enough. The Hankook tyres had a high peak and remained consistently fast to the finish, despite the immense heat. The same was true on Sunday, but unfortunately, the accident happened on lap eight. With a win and a second place in the TCO 6 class, I had a successful weekend with a brilliant team, a fantastic car and strong race tyres from Hankook. The Histo Cup is a cool platform with lots of different cars and offers sport for the masses the way you want it to be.”

Adding to it, Dominik Olbert, Team Director, Razoon, said, “We got our first one-two-three result in a Histo Cup endurance race on Friday, that’s pretty impressive. The races also went really well, the Hankook tyres did a fantastic job in these high temperatures, as did the team and the drivers. The Hankook-branded KTMX-Bow R was a real eye-catcher.”

Manfred Sandbichler, Hankook Motorsport Director – Europe, commented, “Hankook and the Histo Cup have enjoyed a long-standing partnership and we are practically friends with the Steffny family who organise the event. The historic cars of various renowned brands, the fantastic tracks and the atmosphere of the Histo Cup are unique. We have been supplying various classes with our race tyres at this brilliant event for many years now. With the Hankook branding of one of the Razoon team’s KTM X-Bow R, we also wanted to visualise our affinity with this terrific event.” (TT)

As part of a strategic effort to increase its presence in the region's premium original equipment (OE) market, Kumho Tire has confirmed its plans to establish its first tyre production facility in Europe by 2027.

The company has shortlisted Poland, Serbia and Portugal as possible locations for the plant, which is projected to need an investment of more than KRW1 trillion (USD 705 million). The decision is closely linked to Kumho’s ambition to strengthen its partnerships with European automakers and was revealed by Kumho Tire CEO during the South Korean premiere of Kumho's new Ecsta Sport tyre line.

Kumho has recently secured OE supply contracts with major brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volkswagen Group. At the moment, Kumho runs eight tyre production plants in China, Vietnam, South Korea and the US. Its capacity to compete in the premium OE market, however, has come to be perceived as being constrained by the absence of a European production base. Through the benefits of local production, the new facility will improve response to European client requests, save freight costs and shorten delivery times, all of which will strengthen the company's partnerships.

Sentury Tire USA has opened pre-enrolment for its two associate dealer programmes (ADPs), the Delinte HYPERDRIVE Associate Dealer Program and the Landsail Elyte Associate Dealer Program, underscoring the company’s commitment to rewarding dedication and partnership to the Landsail and Delinte brands.

The ADPs, which are customised for each brand and intended to encourage dealers, will formally start on 1 June 2025. Both programmes give dealers access to special benefits, incentives and strong tools to help them expand their businesses. This involves dependable customer service, effective marketing and worthwhile financial incentives to promote dealers' success at every stage.

Beginning in Q3, dealers may earn up to USD three per tyre through the Delinte HYPERDRIVE Associate Dealer Program. Dealers can receive retroactive benefits for purchases completed in Q2 if they register before 1 June. The awards are available for all Delinte PTR, LTR and the new DV3 LMD AS last-mile delivery tyres. For all Landsail PTR and LTR tyres, independent dealers that sign up for the Landsail Elyte Associate Dealer Program can also earn up to USD three per tyre. For customers who sign up by June 1, the new LMD 100 AS last-mile delivery is also eligible for the benefits and will get the same early bird incentive for Q2 2025.

No initial order is necessary. Dealers only need to register to begin making money. According to the monthly programme rewards structure, 48 tyre purchases each month are eligible for a reward of USD one per tyre, 120 tyres are eligible for a reward of USD two per tyre and 240 or more tyres are eligible for a reward of USD three per tyre.

ENSO, a London-based tyre manufacturer engaged in the production of sustainable tyres specially designed for electric vehicles (EVs), has launched its new ENSO Premium range of EV-specific ultra-high-performance (UHP) tyres aimed at drivers of high-performance EVs such as the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.

Specifically designed for electric passenger vehicles, the ENSO Premium range comes with A/A EU-label ratings for both energy efficiency and wet grip. The tyres are designed to provide safety, increased range and a reduced total cost of ownership. Conventional tyre designs frequently fall short of the special performance needs of electric vehicles, which include greater vehicle weight, regenerative braking and higher torque loads. By lowering tyre wear and rolling resistance, ENSO Premium takes care of these issues.

The company is an authorised provider of replacement tyres for LEVC's electric taxis and has partnered with Uber to install its tyres in high-mileage metropolitan areas. The company now plans to grow throughout Europe and North America, and with ENSO Premium, it is now offering its services to individual EV owners throughout the United Kingdom. According to ENSO, the range offers advantages including longer tyre life and fewer replacements, lower energy usage, fewer charging stops and lower CO₂ emissions and tyre particle pollution.

Gunnlaugur Erlendsson, CEO and Co-Founder, ENSO, said, “We’re plugging a long-standing gap in the tyre market by offering EV drivers a purpose-built, affordable, premium EV tyre alternative that matches the innovation of their EV.”

Kraton Corporation, a leading global sustainable producer of specialty polymers and high-value bio-based products derived from pine wood pulping co-products, has announced a general price hike in North America for its SBS, SIS and HSBC product lines with effect from 1 May 2025.

Following a careful analysis of the effects of recently implemented tariffs, related cost increases and a conclusion that the company cannot independently absorb these repercussions, Kraton is adopting these pricing hikes, according to a company statement. The company further said that it will keep an eye on the scene and reassess these measures promptly in the event that conditions and US import tariffs alter.