Tyre testing is not a new concept. In fact, is there any industry that can do without tests? However, what tyre testing does bring into consideration is an umpteen number of factors – everything from the road wear to the certification, the testing spots and, of course, the different types of testing and the very tyres themselves. Discussing these very aspects with Tyre Trends, Ismo Halén, Vice President at BD Testing Inc, spoke about Black Donuts, the subjective and objective views of tyre testing, the convenience of BD Testing having its own indoor testing facility and more. Read on…

The name Black Donut is self-explanatory, making it rather individualistic. A tyre resembles a donut and is black in colour – simplicity at its best. Black Donuts offers a range of solutions for tyre product development and testing, tyre factory construction, plant process design and process development. Therefore, Black Donuts has many business areas, and one of them is service in product development. When it comes to testing, Black Donuts owns 90 percent of another company, BD Testing Inc, which is into tyre testing and high-end customer service. Plus, Black Donuts also happens to be one of BD Testing’s customers.

BD Testing’s customers
When we caught up with Ismo Halén, Vice President at BD Testing Inc, he told us, “Black Donuts designs new tyres and new tyre models or improves existing tyres. That’s why they need testing in order to support the product development. Black Donuts Engineering was founded in 2011, and we were a test team within the company in the beginning. However, we separated in 2012 into an individual company, and now we have separate management and everything else that’s individually ours. We don’t have anyone from Black Donuts working at BD Testing. They are only one of our customers.”

And as customers, they can always decide who tests their tyres. “For instance, Black Donuts can use BD Testing for product development testing because we understand each other. However, the customer can  reach out to other companies to test their tyres as well. For example, when a product is finished, customers usually make homlogation tests somewhere else,” Halén explained.

When it comes to customers/clients, Halén mentioned that it’s not exactly easy to acquire new clients. However, he added, “I’m happy because we already have so many customers that even if somebody doesn’t order anything that others do, we are still in a very good situation.” When turning to his plans on approaching any Asian manufacturers, he responded that while they don’t have any plans for Asia, they would consider going there if there are proving grounds that can be used or rented.

BD Testing’s various focus areas
BD Testing goes beyond this and also issues certification. It has a quality system and is accredited for some R117 tests. “This includes rolling resistance, wet grip, noise measurement and snow performance,” Halén mentioned and continued, “Earlier, we would do wet grips, noise measurements etc. But just one year ago, we started focusing more on winter testing. We now conduct snow and ice tests for the label, which comes under the R117 tests. Additionally, we provide technical service to The Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW). RDW will issue many types of approvals for many tyre manufacturers, and we can conduct snow tests for them.”

“Furthermore, in Nordic countries, we use studs in the tyre, which has to be approved. Besides, we make road wear testing for studded tyres, which needs mandatory approval from the Finnish Transport Safety Agency, TRAFI,” Halén further explained.

Making it work
As far as testing and tyres go, BD Testing does both indoor and outdoor testing and is currently focusing on winter testing, winter tyres and studded tyres (conducting only product development tests for summer tyres). However, because the business is open all year, the winter tests are held in ice halls during the summer, Halén shared. As for snow testing, the indoor tests are conducted in Ivalo and Sweden.

However, most big tyre manufacturers conduct the majority of their tests themselves. Yet, that doesn’t stop a company like BD Testing. There are certain factors in testing that tyre manufacturers can’t carry out themselves and thus have to turn to the likes of BD Testing.

“For example, with road wear testing, it isn’t something they can do by themselves,” Halén asserted and added, “There are only five laboratories that can do that, and we are one of them. Similarly, indoor testing and snow testing is something they may not want to do – it’s a long way to travel and they don’t have the capacity to do so, which is where we come in.”

Indoor testing and outdoor testing
Speaking of indoor testing, it is the easier one to conduct over outdoor testing, Halén claimed. But since handling driveway in itself involves the car being built outdoors, there’s no choice over there, he informed.

What’s more, Halén asserted that usually they don’t test the same things indoors and outdoors – the two aren’t competing and are individual. “Their requirements too are different. But as for product development, some indoor testing is needed, like footprint or contact presser, which gives the designers a lot of information,” he enlightened.

BD Testing would, however, like to have its own indoor testing facility where tests can be conducted whenever needed. “Although, as of now, we have to rent for indoor testing, which can sometimes be fully booked,” Halén cited and added, “In fact, we want our own indoor testing facility that we can rent to other customers as well. However, it’s a huge investment and is too big for us at the moment.”

Objective and subjective testing
Another challenge that Halén spoke to us about, besides having an indoor testing facility, was in terms of manpower, where getting testing drivers is a challenge right now. When asked about the thought process behind selecting a testing driver (since the testing can be very subjective, from driver to driver), Halén highlighted that it’s the experience that plays a role. “And then, the drivers drive together and decide what works and what doesn’t. While these drivers do subjective tests, they, of course, also conduct objective tests. However, objective testing is easier, because you only have to know how to make the test,” he added.

Halén further said that with robots and automation, it’s possible that subjective testing will eventually get reduced in the future. “But in my opinion, with subjective driving, if a driver drives with a set of tyres, then we have a huge amount of information,” he pointed out. “Therefore, it’s a very fast way to have lots of information. If you try to have the same information with the help of machines, you’ll need several machines and it takes a long time. And if you need to analyse data, it takes a long time to develop a new methodology.”

A happy customer equals a successful company
While Halén gave us his clear visions in terms of BD Testing and the tyre testing industry as a whole, he also threw light on the company’s preparation for new regulations. “Additionally, we are focusing on what we are currently doing, targeting for higher quality and making our customers happy,” he expounded and added,
“Our strategy for that is based on the quality system we have. We have very close contact with our customers, so we try to understand what they need. Hence, I’m not trying to sell something to somebody if they don’t need it. Thus, I think our customers come to us themselves when they need something. So, ultimately, customer happiness has been our key to success.”

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The FALKEN ZIEX ZE320 has emerged as the outright winner of the 2026 Auto Express summer tyre test, securing the top position in a competitive field that included premium, mid-range and budget alternatives. The comprehensive evaluation, conducted by the prominent UK automotive publication, saw the ZIEX ZE320 praised for its balanced capabilities and reassuring dynamics across both wet and dry surfaces.

Auto Express, a leading authority for new and used car buyers in the UK, is renowned for its independent tyre assessments, which are carried out without the prior knowledge of the manufacturers. The testing procedure for this year’s competition focused on the popular 205/55 R16 91V size, incorporating a variety of rigorous metrics such as braking, handling, aquaplaning resistance and noise levels.

The tyre’s victory was underscored by its performance in key disciplines, including setting the fastest lap times on both wet and dry circuits. The design features of the ZIEX ZE320, including an intelligent tread pattern with offset sipes, contribute to its strong traction and precise steering feel, while its lightweight casing and optimised sidewalls aim to improve rolling efficiency and reduce noise without sacrificing lateral stability. The entire range holds an ‘A’ rating for wet grip under EU labelling.

Available in 61 sizes spanning 15- to 18-inch wheel diameters, the tyre’s success was hailed as a strong endorsement of its everyday usability and performance. The Auto Express test team ultimately concluded that the ZE320’s all-round excellence and strong results in almost every discipline made it an outstanding choice for a broad spectrum of drivers.

John Barker, a journalist and expert tester from Auto Express, said, “The FALKEN scored an impressive victory, beating some excellent tyres to take a first win. It topped the table in three tests, including setting fastest lap times on both the wet and dry circuits, illustrating its excellent all-round ability. It was the pace-setter in both the wet and the dry and delivered strong results in almost every other discipline too. It’s an outstanding tyre.”

Jaap Leendertse, Managing Director, Sumitomo Rubber Europe, the parent company for FALKEN, said, “Winning the Auto Express summer tyre test is a fantastic achievement and a strong endorsement of the ZIEX ZE320’s real-world performance. This result demonstrates that FALKEN achieved the highest overall score in this test against several other tyre models and can deliver qualities that many drivers value, including performance and everyday usability.”

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Michelin has unveiled a strategic overhaul of its product branding within the Beyond Road division, following the recent divestiture of the Camso business. The restructuring marks a significant shift in how the company will present its off-road portfolio to the global market, focusing on clarity and heritage.

Effective September 2026, the agricultural tracks previously sold under the Camso label will be rebranded as MICHELIN BIBTRACK. This new nomenclature pays homage to Michelin’s deep-rooted agricultural history, with the ‘BIB’ designation drawing from a legacy of tyre innovation that began in the 1980s. This lineage includes renowned ranges such as AGRIBIB and AXIOBIB, underscoring the brand's longstanding commitment to the farming sector.

The rebranding extends to conversion and trailed track systems, which will now carry the Michelin name without altering their product designations. Crucially, this transition involves no changes to product performance, manufacturing processes or service delivery, ensuring a seamless experience for customers. The company has simultaneously retained its material handling and Powersports activities, with industrial wheels and tyres transitioning to the Solideal by MICHELIN banner, alongside its dedicated on-site service unit.

This restructuring follows the formal sale of the Camso brand, along with specific construction tyres and tracks, to CEAT, a process initiated in late 2024 and finalised in September 2025. By streamlining its brand architecture, Michelin aims to simplify the customer journey while reinforcing its ambition to become a premier player in off-road mobility, delivering sustainable and innovative solutions grounded in advanced materials expertise.

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Yokohama Tire’s off-road racing contingent is set for a pivotal appearance at the 57th annual Polaris World Championships, scheduled for 4–6 September at Crandon International Raceway in Wisconsin. Known as ‘The Big House’, the venue represents a key stop on the Championship Off-Road season calendar, with Yokohama serving as both the official tyre of the facility and a supporting partner of the racing series.

The team’s lineup features several notable competitors navigating the rugged terrain on GEOLANDAR tyres. Andrew Carlson, a proven contender with multiple podium finishes at Crandon, will pilot his vehicle in the Pro4 class using GEOLANDAR X-AT tyres. Meanwhile, recent Supercross 450 Class Champion Ken Roczen is slated to make his debut at the historic track, competing in the Pro2 class on the same tire model.

Robb Holland is also poised for his first Crandon appearance, trading asphalt for dirt in the Pro Lite division. He will drive a truck belonging to fellow Team Yokohama driver John Holtger, relying on GEOLANDAR A/T4 tyres for his inaugural short-course off-road race. Additionally, team driver Nick Visser enters the weekend holding a narrow lead in the Pro-Spec championship standings, with the title battle intensifying as the season progresses.

Beyond the on-track action, Yokohama will lead the traditional Crandon Labor Day Parade, featuring Carlson and Roczen. The weekend will also include a BassmastHER workshop hosted by Cogan and Carsello, aimed at advancing skills for female participants in the paddock, alongside a VIP and youth fishing tournament held on-site.

Candace Cogan, Director – Product Marketing, Yokohama, said, “We’ve got a great team ready to take on the challenges at Crandon during short-course racing’s most celebrated weekend. They will be ready to face the task on our versatile line of GEOLANDAR tyres. We will once again feature our partnership with Bassmaster with a cool collaboration. Last year we hosted Team Yokohama elite angler, Brandon Palanuik. This time we’ll host Wisconsin native MaggieJo Carsello, a Bassmaster open angler and ambassador for BassmastHER, a female-driven initiative to support a community of female anglers via education, travel and inspiration. We look forward to introducing her to Crandon and the world of short-course off-road racing, something she grew up hearing about.”

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Kumho Tire USA recently hosted a national Ride & Drive event at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Washington, where over 70 dealers, media professionals and content creators tested the company’s newest tyre models. The gathering served as a key component of Kumho’s broader 2026 regional tour, which has already engaged more than 600 participants across five American cities. Attendees evaluated the newly launched Road Venture HT and Crugen GT Pro tyres through demanding, real-world driving scenarios.

The testing programme featured controlled modules, including a wet handling course, an autocross track for braking and stability assessment and high-speed freeway driving to measure ride comfort. These exercises allowed participants to directly compare the all-season Highway-Terrain Road Venture HT, intended for light trucks and SUVs, against the Crugen GT Pro, a touring tyre built for modern crossovers and larger SUVs. Kumho’s engineers also conducted an educational forum detailing the technological development of both tyres while collecting direct feedback from attendees.

The Road Venture HT, launched earlier this year, offers enhanced wet and snow traction, extended tread life and a quiet ride, and is compatible with electric vehicles. The Crugen GT Pro is engineered for heavier crossover and SUV applications, delivering premium comfort and all-weather capability with one of the highest treadwear warranties in its segment. Available in 85 sizes covering over 85 percent of the current crossover and SUV market, the Crugen GT Pro is backed by a 75,000-mile warranty for H- and V-speed ratings and a 65,000-mile warranty for W-speed models.

Kumho will conclude its 2026 Ride & Drive series with final regional events in Detroit and St. Louis later this month. The company has confirmed plans to extend the programme into 2027 and beyond, ensuring dealers and partners continue to benefit from hands-on product evaluations, technical training and direct access to Kumho’s engineering expertise.

Chris Corwin, Director of Procurement at Discount Tire & Service Centers, said, "A spec sheet has never sold a tyre to a customer standing at our counter. That is why the Kumho Tire Ride & Drive in Seattle was worth every minute. We got real seat time, instead of a sales pitch, running the all-new Crugen GT Pro and Road Venture HT back-to-back in real world scenarios. Having a seat at that table means a lot to me, and it says something about how seriously they take dealer input."

Ed Cho, CEO, Kumho Tire USA, said, “You can read all about a tyre, but nothing compares to driving it yourself, which is why KUMHO has made a significant investment in Ride & Drive events in 2026. These events give our dealers, wholesale partners and retail partners the opportunity to experience firsthand how our latest tyres perform in real-world driving situations. Whether they are evaluating braking, handling, ride comfort or overall performance, attendees can experience the differences for themselves, giving them greater confidence when recommending our products to their customers.”

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