Yokohama Rubber has announced that a vehicle equipped with its GEOLANDAR M/T G003 mud-terrain tyres secured the overall championship at the 2025 Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR). This victory in Asia's premier off-road rally, held in Thailand, marks the third win for the tyre model, following previous triumphs in 2022 and 2023. The tyres were praised for their durability and high performance under extreme conditions.

The winning #112 Mitsubishi Triton, driven by Chayapon Yotha and co-driver Peerapong Sombutwong for Team Mitsubishi Ralliart, claimed its first title in three years. After taking an early lead in the gruelling event, the team overcame vehicle issues and intense competition to maintain their position through the final leg. The rally’s challenging course, which spanned over 2,000 kilometres through varied terrain and adverse weather, tested both vehicle and tyre resilience.

Further demonstrating the tyre's capabilities, two other vehicles on GEOLANDAR M/T G003 tyres finished within the top five. The GEOLANDAR line is engineered for superior off-road traction and an extended lifespan, combining a robust, aggressive design with proven performance in demanding races worldwide.

Under its current medium-term management plan, Yokohama Rubber is focused on expanding its high-value-added tyre segments, including the GEOLANDAR brand for SUVs and pickup trucks. The company views motorsports as a vital platform for strengthening its brand identity and continues to participate in a diverse range of global racing events.

Hiroshi Masuoka, Director of Team Mitsubishi Ralliart, said, “Last year's AXCR was very frustrating for us because engine trouble forced us to retyre our vehicle that was in the lead for the overall championship in the latter half of the course. This year, however, we were able to win the overall championship thanks to the Triton’s enhanced durability and the accumulated collective strength of a team participating in its fourth AXCR. I thank everyone for their support. Again, this year, Team Mitsubishi Ralliart selected Yokohama Rubber’s GEOLANDAR M/T G003 tyres for our vehicles participating in the AXCR. The GEOLANDAR M/T G003 delivers the highly stable performance needed for fast and safe driving on the AXCR course’s diverse terrains, especially when running through deep mud and wet surfaces. Our three Team Mitsubishi Ralliart vehicles were challenged by rough and rocky terrain, especially in the first half, but all three were able to run the entire course without suffering punctures or other tyre problems. I think the GEOLANDAR M/T G003’s high performance and durability enabled us to win the overall championship and the Team Award.”

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Continental’s dedication to comprehensive environmental and social responsibility has been formally recognised with the 2025 Kalmar Sustainability Award. The honour was conferred at Kalmar’s Supplier Day event in Szczecin, Poland, following a rigorous independent evaluation.

Continental distinguished itself by earning the highest score on Kalmar’s supplier sustainability scorecard, which measures performance in critical areas like responsible sourcing, data transparency, hazardous substance compliance and active participation in sustainability initiatives.

This partnership is operationalised through Continental’s role as the premium supplier of V.ply and radial tyres for Kalmar’s port logistics vehicles, which include reach stackers, terminal tractors and container handlers. The collaboration is strengthened by a shared vision for a carbon-neutral future. Continental implements this vision by focusing on the entire tyre lifecycle, from employing energy-efficient production and sustainable materials to designing long-lasting products like the TerminalMaster tyre.

Digital tools such as ContiConnect further this mission by optimising tyre pressure and health, which reduces fuel consumption and extends tyre life, thereby minimising the overall environmental footprint. This award celebrates a synergistic alliance built on a mutual commitment to innovation and superior quality standards.

Christian Berner, Global Key Account Manager for Port Operations at Continental, said, “We are honoured to receive this award from Kalmar, a valued customer with whom we have enjoyed a strong partnership for more than 15 years. This award is a testament to our shared values: a strong commitment to sustainability and lifecycle responsibility as demonstrated in our yearly sustainability report.”

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In a unique cultural partnership, Goodyear and American rapper Ice Cube are collaborating throughout the year to celebrate his classic hits, including a notable lyric from his 1993 single: Even saw the lights of the Goodyear Blimp and it read, 'Ice Cube's a Pimp'. The campaign connects the 100th anniversary of the Goodyear Blimp with Ice Cube's Truth to Power: 4 Decades of Attitude tour.

The collaboration officially launched on 24th August with a blimp flyover at the BIG3 Championship basketball finals in Orlando, a league founded by the artist. This continues the airship's storied tradition of appearing at major events. The partnership will extend to select concerts on Ice Cube's upcoming tour. Attendees in cities including Denver, San Diego, Los Angeles and Cleveland will experience the iconic Goodyear Blimp both in the sky above the venues and through integrated elements inside the arenas, offering fans a distinctive concert experience. This initiative brings to life the classic lyric, merging music history with a century of aviation legacy.

Ice Cube said, "From the beginning, I always thought you had to dream big if you really wanted to make it big. The idea of the Goodyear Blimp championing my name was a metaphor for the sky being the limit, yet here we are with Goodyear as a partner and the blimp flying in the Orlando skies, saying, 'Ice Cube's a Pimp!'. I'm honoured to have Goodyear sponsoring my Truth to Power tour, where we will take people through a musical journey over my four-decade career."

Doug Grassian, Vice President – Global External Communications, Social Media and Partnerships, Goodyear, said, "When Ice Cube referenced the Goodyear Blimp in his iconic song, it became part of music history and made a cultural impact. Aligning together for his upcoming tour feels like we are bringing that lyric to life, both literally and figuratively, for fans across generations."

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In an unfortunate incident, a fire broke out at Contec’s tyre facility in Szczecin during the night of 23-24 August. The company confirms that all 10 employees on site were safely evacuated thanks to the effective response of emergency services, with no injuries reported. While the situation is now under control, the incident resulted in significant material damage and a complete halt to production operations.

The company has expressed profound disappointment at the damage to an installation that had operated safely for over a decade. The timing is especially difficult given recent operational achievements. As an independent entity, Contec had successfully been converting 85 percent of end-of-life tyres into circular raw materials for new tyre production. This process had established a key part of the circular ecosystem within tyre manufacturing, making the current interruption to this sustainable work particularly challenging. The company is now assessing the full impact of the event.

Krzysztof Wróblewski, CEO and CTO, Contec, said, “Our full attention is now focused on our team, ensuring their well-being, our clients to help them find solutions, as well as assessing the situation and our post-incident operations. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the incredible support and concern we have received. Your kindness means a great deal to us during this challenging time. We are aware that this is a difficult situation not only for our company and shareholders but for the entire industry. We will provide updates regarding any impact on our operations on an individual basis as more information becomes available. Furthermore, we are committed to sharing our findings with others in the industry, as we believe that increasing safety standards benefits everyone.”

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The Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA) has received a historic Special Recognition Award from UK-based tyre safety charity, TyreSafe. This marks the first time the organisation has presented an international award, highlighting the global resonance of ATMA’s extensive efforts in promoting tyre safety across India.

TyreSafe’s award specifically commended ATMA for its profound dedication and highly innovative approach. The association’s multifaceted initiatives have successfully educated over 20,000 participants and conducted inspections on more than 30,000 tyres. A cornerstone of this effort has been the Ideathons programme, which engages youth to develop creative concepts and inspire future road safety advocates, aligning perfectly with TyreSafe’s global vision for safer roads.

This recognition follows years of expansive activity by ATMA and its technical arm, the Indian Tyre Technical Advisory Committee (ITTAC). Their nationwide outreach has included over 200 safety activations, such as roadside clinics, inspection zones at petrol pumps and workshops for schools and universities. They have forged significant institutional partnerships, providing comprehensive training for over 1,000 tanker drivers in collaboration with Indian Oil Corporation and working with various state transport departments.

Campaigns on major expressways have involved inspecting thousands of vehicles and distributing safety materials, while continuous education is provided through webinars, social media and publications. Supported by its member companies, including Apollo, Bridgestone, CEAT, JK Tyre and MRF, ATMA remains dedicated to scaling this crucial outreach. The association continues to urge all stakeholders – from vehicle users to policymakers – to join this vital movement, reinforcing that tyres are not just components but essential life-safety systems.

Arun Mammen, Chairman, ATMA, said, “We are immensely proud that TyreSafe has recognised ATMA’s work in tyre safety. This award underscores our commitment to elevating public awareness and encouraging responsible tyre maintenance through engagement with motorists and institutional partnerships. Our journey continues with the shared vision of making roads safer across India.”

Sudershan Gusain, Head – Tyre Safety Awareness, ATMA/ITTAC, said, “This recognition by TyreSafe validates our extensive grassroots efforts: from petrol pump tyre clinics and university workshops to Ideathons and expressway campaigns. Educating over 20,000 people and inspecting 30,000 tyres is just the beginning. We will keep amplifying our message: proper tyre maintenance is crucial not just for vehicle performance but for saving lives.”

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