A new, comprehensive national campaign is underway to address the critical issue of tyre safety within UK fleets. Spearheaded by TyreSafe, the UK’s charity dedicated to raising tyre safety awareness, this six-week educational initiative is founded upon three specialised toolkits developed in collaboration with industry leaders Driving for Better Business (DfBB), FORS and Lancashire County Council. This represents the most extensive suite of business-focused tyre safety resources the organisation has ever released, aiming to help companies strengthen compliance, enhance driver safety and achieve significant operational cost savings.

The campaign seeks to reframe tyre maintenance from a purely technical concern to a core business priority with profound implications. Neglected tyres present a major safety hazard, contributing to a heightened risk of collisions. Alarmingly, government data reveals that in 2024, 29 percent of all road fatalities occurred in incidents involving someone driving for work. Beyond the human cost, poorly maintained tyres have a direct financial and environmental impact; they waste fuel, increase emissions and lead to premature wear. This is particularly concerning given that transport remains a primary source of UK greenhouse gas emissions. Research underscores the scale of the problem, indicating that a majority of tyres on UK roads are underinflated and a significant number of vehicles are operating with at least one dangerous tyre.

To provide practical solutions, the three new toolkits offer step-by-step guidance and editable resources for seamless implementation. Developed with DfBB, the Grey Fleet Toolkit assists employers in managing the safety of employee-owned vehicles used for business purposes. In partnership with FORS, the Fleet Tyre Management Toolkit helps companies embed industry best practices for tyre procurement, inspection and maintenance. Finally, the Fleet Service Manager Toolkit, created with Lancashire County Council, provides fleet leaders and workshop managers with the materials needed to integrate tyre safety into staff training and daily operational checks. This broader effort by TyreSafe encourages businesses to view proper tyre care through the interconnected lenses of legal compliance, financial cost and carbon footprint, demonstrating how correct maintenance simultaneously reduces risk, saves money and supports sustainability targets. All resources are now available on the TyreSafe website.

Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe Chair, said, “Tyre safety is not just about maintenance – it’s about responsibility. Every underinflated or worn tyre adds to a business’s costs, carbon footprint and legal exposure. Through these new toolkits and our six-week education campaign, we want to help fleets of every size understand that tyre safety is a measurable way to protect lives, budgets and reputations. Lancashire County Council’s partnership shows how tyre safety can be woven into daily operations, not added as an afterthought. By embedding simple checks into training and supervision, fleet teams can prevent incidents before they happen. Tyres are often missed during daily checks but one of the biggest influences on safety. We urge business drivers and fleet managers to ACT to ensure sound tyre safety management is included in their fleet policies which can make every journey safer, more efficient and sustainable.”

Simon Turner, Engagement Manager, DfBB, said, “Grey fleet drivers represent a hidden risk for many employers. This toolkit helps organisations bring them into the same safety and compliance framework as company drivers – meeting legal obligations and protecting everyone on the road.”

Daniel Fisher, Fleet Services Manager, Lancashire County Council, said, “Partnering with TyreSafe has allowed us to leverage our fleet management experience to provide practical guidance for others. The Fleet Service Manager Toolkit shows how simple, consistent tyre checks can improve compliance, cut costs and keep drivers safer. It’s a model that any organisation – public or private – can adopt.”

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TyreSafe, UK’s charity dedicated to raising tyre safety awareness, has joined forces with Road Safety Support (RSS), a not-for-profit organisation, in a new partnership rooted in their shared dedication to evidence-led road safety. As TyreSafe nears its 20th anniversary, it views this collaboration as vital to its mission of reducing tyre-related casualties and contributing to the ultimate goal of eliminating death and serious injury on British roads.

Road Safety Support brings specialised expertise to the table, working with police, highways authorities and safer roads partnerships both domestically and overseas. Their wide-ranging services include casualty data analysis, developing enforcement strategies, supporting speed and red-light camera technology, road safety marketing and providing independent expert evidence for traffic prosecutions.

This alliance strengthens TyreSafe’s existing network among enforcement and highways bodies, allowing tyre safety education and enforcement to be better integrated with broader road safety intelligence and operational data. By combining forces, TyreSafe gains access to RSS’s analytical and enforcement expertise to create more evidence-led campaigns, while RSS and its partners benefit from TyreSafe’s deep specialism in tyre condition research and practical guidance.

Underpinning the collaboration is a mutual recognition that reducing road harm demands coordinated, multi-disciplinary action. Both organisations are committed to the Safe System approach, ensuring that safer vehicles – particularly tyres – are given equal priority alongside safer roads, speeds and people. By blending RSS’s strengths in data, enforcement and legal processes with TyreSafe’s two decades of dedicated tyre safety knowledge, the partnership aims to deliver more consistent, informed and impactful road safety outcomes.

Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, said, “Tyre safety is a fundamental part of safe vehicles, yet it is still too often overlooked in the wider road safety conversation. Partnering with Road Safety Support is an important step in ensuring that tyre-related risk is better understood and addressed using robust data and real-world insight. As TyreSafe continues to work closely with police forces, highways authorities and local authorities, this partnership will help strengthen the evidence base that underpins effective enforcement, education and prevention activity.”

Emma Kelly, Development, PR and Advocacy Manager at Road Safety Support and Road Safety Support International, said, “Road Safety Support works with police forces, road safety partnerships and stakeholders to develop robust, evidence-led road safety strategies. Tyre condition plays a vital role in collision prevention, yet it can be underestimated when considering vehicle-related risk. Partnering with TyreSafe allows us to integrate specialist tyre safety knowledge into broader enforcement and safety frameworks, helping partners make more informed decisions and deliver more effective interventions.”

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Nexen Tire America recognises that with energy and fuel costs continuing to challenge drivers, many are seeking ways to maximise efficiency beyond simply altering their driving routines. While adjusting habits like reducing speed is common, the company points to several overlooked factors that can significantly affect a vehicle’s energy consumption and overall cost per mile.

A critical yet often underestimated element is the role of tyres. Rolling resistance, which is the energy needed to keep tyres moving, directly impacts fuel economy and electric vehicle range. Choosing tyres specifically engineered to minimise this resistance, such as Nexen’s N’Priz S Grand Touring All-Season, can yield noticeable improvements. However, even the best tyres require consistent care; underinflation and misalignment create excess drag that forces the vehicle to work harder, quietly eroding efficiency over time.

External vehicle modifications also play a significant part. Accessories like roof racks and cargo carriers disrupt aerodynamic flow, and even open windows at highway speeds can create more drag than using air conditioning. Driving habits themselves deserve a strategic rethink as well. Opting for a slightly longer route with fewer stops can prove more efficient than a short, start-and-stop journey. Smoother acceleration, gradual braking and coasting to a stop help conserve momentum, which is especially beneficial for regenerative braking systems in electric vehicles.

For electric vehicle owners, additional steps can further extend range. Preconditioning the cabin while the car remains plugged in reduces the strain that climate control places on the battery during travel. Combined with a conscious effort to ease off the accelerator early to maximise energy recovery through regenerative braking, these practices allow drivers to go further on every charge, complementing the efficiency gains from proper tyre selection and mindful driving.

Aaron Neumann, Head of the Nexen Tire America Tech Center, said, “There are several opportunities to improve efficiency that aren’t immediately visible to drivers. From tyre design and maintenance to subtle driving habits, these factors work together to influence how much energy a vehicle uses. By paying attention to the details, drivers can take meaningful steps toward reducing costs and getting more out of every mile.”

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Hankook Tire has claimed the top position in the latest Auto Bild manufacturer ranking, securing a dominant presence across key tyre categories. The brand’s ascent was driven by a double test win for its newly launched Ventus evo, which propelled Hankook to share first place in the summer tyre segment. In the all-season category, the company delivered a consistently strong performance, earning third place overall thanks to the Kinergy model series, which accumulated four top placements across various evaluations.

The Ventus evo made an impressive entry into the current tyre season by clinching victory in two separate Auto Bild summer tyre tests, a feat that positioned Hankook as the only manufacturer alongside one other to achieve a double win in the summer tyre manufacturer standings. This debut underscored the tyre’s seamless fit within the premium segment, with the results highlighting its capabilities across critical criteria such as wet braking and dry handling.

In the all-season arena, the Kinergy series demonstrated remarkable consistency across four distinct tests, securing Hankook’s third-place finish in the manufacturer ranking. The model line proved its reliability by delivering strong results across all relevant performance areas, including winter characteristics, further cementing Hankook’s reputation as a dependable leader in that segment.

The Auto Bild manufacturer ranking aggregates results from all tyre tests conducted during the season, assigning points based on a structured system. A test win earns six points, followed by five for an exemplary rating, three for good, two for satisfactory and one for recommended with reservations. Additional bonuses apply, with one extra point for Eco Champion recognition and two for a Green Tyre designation. Across the 2025/2026 season, a total of 67 summer tyres and 61 all-season tyres were evaluated under this framework.

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Brisbane-based NTD has strengthened its leadership position in Australia and New Zealand by finalising four exclusive multi-year supply agreements with major global tyre manufacturers. These deals solidify the company’s standing within a regional wholesale and retail sector valued at over USD 11 billion, ensuring long-term collaboration with key suppliers across a diverse array of tyre segments. The agreements with Radar Tyres, Giti/GT Radial, Cooper Tires and Mickey Thompson Tires cover passenger vehicles, SUVs, 4-wheel drives, electric vehicles, light trucks, commercial fleets and specialised applications in agriculture and mining, reinforcing NTD’s ability to serve a broad customer base.

According to NTD’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Warwick Hay, these partnerships are fundamental to the company’s growth strategy. By securing exclusivity over an extended period, the group can pursue deeper collaboration with manufacturers in areas such as product development, supply planning, and brand building. This structure not only supports commercial flexibility but also enhances supply chain reliability, ultimately ensuring that NTD’s extensive dealer network and customers benefit from consistent product availability.

Two of the newly formalised agreements involve American brands Cooper Tires and Mickey Thompson Tires, both owned by Goodyear. NTD first introduced Cooper Tires to Australia in 1989, and the brand has since become well established in the SUV and light truck segments. Meanwhile, Mickey Thompson Tires maintains a strong focus on high-performance and off-road applications, building on a legacy of innovation in tread design and safety. Representatives from Goodyear and Mickey Thompson noted that NTD’s expertise and commitment have been instrumental in driving brand growth, with the renewed agreements set to build on that momentum.

The remaining two agreements are with Singapore-based entities: Radar Tyres, owned by Omni United, and GT Radial, part of the Giti Group. Radar Tyres has gained recognition in Australia for its value-focused passenger and all-terrain offerings, alongside its distinction as the world’s first carbon-neutral tyre brand. Giti Tire supplies premium products across multiple vehicle categories and has made significant inroads into the electric vehicle segment, supplying original equipment manufacturers such as BYD, GWM and Tesla. Executives from both companies highlighted the combination of global manufacturing capability with NTD’s national distribution network as a key factor in ensuring reliable supply and strong dealer support across Australia and New Zealand.

As the largest independent tyre and wheel importer and distributor in the region, NTD serves more than 4,000 business customers through an extensive network of distribution centres and retail outlets. The company also manufactures retread tyres and provides performance management systems for commercial fleet operators. Hay noted that in a context of global uncertainty, these agreements formalise longstanding supplier relationships while reinforcing continuity of supply. He added that maintaining a broad and dependable product range is essential, particularly as demand grows for eco-friendly, smart and electric vehicle tyres across the diverse sectors the company serves.

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