Trelleborg Tires has collaborated with Moreton Morrell College to provide AGCO apprentices in the UK with essential insights into tyre technology and skills necessary for the evolving agricultural sector.

Trelleborg Tires and AGCO continue to be important strategic partners in the agricultural sector, demonstrating a common dedication to innovation in contemporary farming. Apprentices took part in a comprehensive training session that covered everything from tyre inflation systems, track construction and proper fitting techniques to tyre selection and soil conservation by interacting with Trelleborg Tires' experts, such as Russell Ellis, Sales Manager UK, and Jimmy Jones, Technical Manager UK. Apprentices were encouraged to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world circumstances with a heavy emphasis on hands-on mentoring, which helped to close the gap between classroom instruction and industrial practice.

Ellis said, "We are committed to supporting the next generation of agricultural professionals by equipping them with vital tire expertise. Through this collaboration, we are nurturing a new wave of specialists who will help drive the industry forward."

Andy Southerton, Lecturer in Land-Based Engineering, Moreton Morrell College, said, "Working with Trelleborg Tires adds a significant dimension to our training programmes, ensuring our apprentices receive industry-leading knowledge, preparing them for future success."

Continental has launched the Grand Prix TR tubeless-ready bicycle tyre aimed at cyclists who want a dependable, all-round tyre for training, commuting and long-distance rides.

The Grand Prix TR, which is part of Continental's endurance sector and comes from the GP5000 family, uses innovations like as the company's well-known BlackChili compound to provide the best possible balance of rolling resistance and grip. For riders who are logging a lot of kilometres throughout the season, the all-new 4-ply design strikes the perfect mix between low weight and puncture protection. Continental is launching a new range of entry-level road tyres with the Grand Prix TR that integrates innovations and lessons learned from its premium portfolio. This launch demonstrates Continental's dedication to enabling a wider variety of cyclists to have access to cutting-edge tyre innovation. There will be a tube-type variant in a few sizes in addition to the tubeless-ready version.

Hannah Ferle, Product Manager – Road, Continental Tires, said: “We recognised that many riders wanted to experience some of the performance benefits of our top-tier race tyres in a more accessible package. With the Grand Prix TR, we’ve brought tubeless-ready technology, strong puncture protection and excellent rolling resistance to a wider audience. It delivers a smooth, confident ride across a variety of road surfaces – making it a tire for every ride.”

Pirelli is all set to become the official tyre supplier to MotoGP from 2027. A new five-year agreement is in the works and will see the Italian tyre company become the single tyre supplier for the MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 categories.

With the new MotoGP bikes and technical regulations scheduled to take effect in 2027, the approach of using a single supplier will offer the ideal progression ladder for the future champions to refine their skills while advancing to the top. Pirelli currently supplies tyres for Moto2 and Moto3 categories. With the new development, Pirelli will expand its presence to MotoGP and into MotoE, the electric world championship.

Michelin will remain the exclusive supplier for MotoGP and MotoE until the end of the current technical regulations at the close of the 2026 season, continuing to provide technical support, its products and world class technology over the next two seasons.

Nexen Tire’s NBlue 4S Van tyre has won the Best Light Commercial Tire award at the 22nd edition of the Tire of the Year Awards.

Neumáticos & Mecánica Rápida organised the esteemed awards ceremony, which took place on 30 January at the Novotel Madrid Center hotel. It honoured the top tyres of 2024 in the passenger vehicle, SUV, truck and agricultural tyre divisions. Key figures from the business, including executives from well-known tyre manufacturers such as Pirelli, Continental, Yokohama, Michelin and Bridgestone, attended the event. Raúl Jiménez, Nexen Tire’s Business Development Director for Iberia, accepted the award on behalf of the company from Eusebio Albert, Director of the Transport area at Versys Ediciones.

The NBlue 4S Van, a tyre made to satisfy the exacting requirements of commercial fleets and drivers, is recognised for its superior performance, safety and fuel efficiency with the Best Light Commercial Tire award. This accolade comes as Nexen Tire solidifies its position as a top producer of premium tyres by expanding its footprint in Europe and throughout the world.

Jiménez said, “We are honoured to receive this prestigious award, which is a testament to our ongoing dedication to providing award-winning products for our customers. The NBlue 4S Van is designed to offer superior performance and durability, and this recognition reinforces our commitment to delivering the best solutions to the commercial sector.”

Pirelli is mulling expansion of its tyre production capacity in the US to offset the impact of US tariffs that came into effect from 4 March, company executives said on a 2024 financial results call.

The company has a contingency plan in place to deal with the US imposing 25 percent tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada. CFO Andrea Casaluci clarified that although Pirelli's US business accounted for over 20 percent of company sales, the amount of tyre manufacture there is restricted. The company's Georgia plant can produce about 400,000 tyres annually. Pirelli imports about half of its US supply from Mexico and around 40 percent from Brazil and Europe in order to fulfil market demand in the US.

Pirelli has a backup plan to boost imports from Brazil and expand US production capacity in order to lessen the effects of tariffs. According to the CFO, the Italian tyre manufacturer has already begun modernising the automated MIRS production processes in Georgia. This will serve as the foundation for the initial phase of capacity development in the US.

Additionally, the inflationary scenario will be used to examine the group's commercial approach. The CFO stated that since 30 percent of the US tyre market is imported, some inflationary pressure is to be expected in the wake of tariffs. The contingency plan also includes cost-cutting measures, in addition to the EUR 150 million in savings in 2025 that are anticipated under its industrial plan.