The Yokohama Rubber Co Ltd has entered into a share purchase agreement with the Swedish-based Trelleborg AB to acquire all outstanding shares of Trelleborg Wheel Systems Holding AB (TWS), a company engaged in the manufacture and sale of off-highway tyres (OHT) for agricultural and industrial machinery. TWS’s enterprise value is EUR 2,040 million. 

Yokohama Rubber said in a statement that the acquisition is scheduled to be completed in the latter half of 2022. The acquisition’s impact on Yokohama Rubber’s consolidated financial results is currently under examination, it said. 

Yokohama Rubber is currently implementing its Yokohama Transformation 2023 (YX2023) medium-term management plan for fiscal years 2021–2023.  

The TWS acquisition will contribute to the expansion of Yokohama Rubber’s OHT business, which YX2023 has positioned as a future growth driver for the company’s commercial tyre business. The ratio of consumer tyres to commercial tyres in today’s global tyre market is 1:1, but Yokohama Rubber’s tyre business sales are more heavily weighted toward consumer tyres, with a 2:1 ratio versus commercial tyres, the release pointed out. To bring the sales composition of its tyre business more in line with the overall market and secure the business’ stability and earnings growth, one of the key challenges facing Yokohama Rubber’s commercial tyre business is the growth of an OHT business capable of securing stably high earnings. The TWS acquisition will not only help Yokohama Rubber’s tyre business achieve a more optimal sales composition, but it will also strengthen the company’s commercial tyre business in each of the four thematic areas set forth in YX2023—product lineup, cost, service, and DX, the company said. 

TWS sales in fiscal 2021 totalled about YEN 129.0 billion, accounting for about 30 per cent of Trelleborg AB’s consolidated sales. Over the past 10 years, TWS has expanded its sales by 2.6 times and more than tripled EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes). While expanding sales it has sustained stably high profitability, with its EBIT ratio continuously above 10 per cent, the release said. 

Of tyres manufactured and sold by TWS, agricultural tyres account for about 60 per cent and industrial tyres about 20 per cent, with the remainder being tyres for construction machinery and motorcycles. TWS has 14 manufacturing plants in nine countries — seven in Europe (Italy, Latvia, Serbia, Slovenia, and three in the Czech Republic), two in the United States, one in Brazil, and four in Asia (two in China and two in Sri Lanka). About 70 per cent of its sales are in Europe. (TT)

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ZC Rubber made a strategic statement at THE TIRE COLOGNE 2026, held from 9 to 11 June, using the event to reaffirm its enduring dedication to the European automotive sector. The manufacturer placed its advanced WESTLAKE and GOODRIDE tyre families at the forefront of its exhibition.

A clear strategic pivot for the region was evident, as the company mapped out a wider European direction. Visitors were shown a full pipeline of new passenger car and light truck tyres destined for a second-half 2026 release, presented alongside the proven commercial truck portfolio and a handful of carefully selected previews set for 2027.

Considerable interest gathered around the passenger car and light truck offerings, specifically the upcoming summer and all-season ranges. Performance enthusiasts examined the WESTLAKE ZuperFlex Z-137 and GOODRIDE RideMax G-147 for ultra-high-performance vehicles, while off-road specialists focused on the WESTLAKE TERRA LEGEND SL399 and GOODRIDE MUD LEGEND SL388.

The WESTLAKE Zuper4S Z-411 emerged as a central solution for Europe’s unpredictable seasons. Engineered to manage wet roads, snow and dry tarmac in one package, the tyre uses V-shaped grooves to rapidly clear water and slush. Its high-density 3D siping provides braking stability on icy surfaces, while a specialised compound ensures consistent grip and long life across wide temperature ranges.

Within the commercial truck arena, ZC Rubber highlighted its established WESTLAKE Gen II series, already valued by European fleets for mileage. The WSL2 steer tyre was presented as a tool for stable handling and fuel savings, featuring optimised pressure distribution and a low-heat compound. The WDL2+ drive tyre was shown to deliver strong traction and even wear thanks to its rigid blocks and belt-wrap technology. Motorsport attendees saw the upgraded WESTLAKE Sport RS2 displayed alongside the Red Bull Driftbrothers’ drift car, a product of close racing collaboration now under consideration for future public sale.

The company also offered glimpses of 2027 innovations, including the WESTLAKE Z-301 van tyre, the GOODRIDE All Season G-721 and new truck solutions like the WTL2 and GOODRIDE M2. The latest passenger car and light truck tyres are expected across Europe in the latter half of 2026, while the premium WSL2 and WDL2+ truck tyres are already available. ZC Rubber confirmed it will continue advancing product development and regional support tailored to Europe’s varied climate and transport needs.

Leo Liao, General Manager, ZC Rubber Europe, commented, “The Tire Cologne gave us an important opportunity to show not only a broader product portfolio but a clearer direction for Europe. We are focusing on products that respond to the way European customers actually drive, operate and make purchasing decisions – from year-round mobility to long-haul efficiency and durability. These products reflect how we are listening to European customers and partners, and how we are building a portfolio that is more closely aligned with local market needs.”

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Nokian Tyres has launched its Road Trip Guide consumer campaign, running from Monday through 19 June at NokianTyresdotcom/Guide. The initiative, themed around real drivers, real destinations and real roads, invites motorists to submit lesser-known travel spots including roadside diners, remote trails, scenic views and unique landmarks.

The campaign website includes a tyre quiz to assist drivers in selecting the appropriate tyres for their journeys, along with safety tips designed to keep attention on the scenery rather than roadside issues. On its social media channels, including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Threads under the handle @NokianTyresNA, the global tyre maker is sharing road trip safety advice, aspirational travel ideas and destination recommendations from tire dealers.

Several all-season, all-terrain and all-weather tyres from Nokian Tyres’ North American factory in Dayton, Tennessee, supply shops across United States and Canada. Popular models include the Nokian Tyres One, the Outpost all-terrain family, the all-weather Remedy WRG5 and the Surpass AS01, an ultra-high-performance tyre with puncture-resistant Aramid fibres introduced last year. The company, which invented the winter tyre, also unveiled the studded Hakkapeliitta 01, the first studded winter tyre with on-demand grip, available at tyre shops this fall.

Beyond the guide, Nokian Tyres is engaging travellers through a partnership with Alterra Mountain Company and appearances at Overland Expo events across United States. Globally, the company served as an Official Sponsor of the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships, which concluded at the end of May.

Hans Dyhrman, Director of Marketing, Nokian Tyres North America, said, “Safety is the foundation of every journey, from daily errands to cross-country road trips. Our Road Trip Guide is a great place for drivers to turn for inspiration and information that will help them make the most of their summer travels.”

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Michelin has redirected industry focus towards its speciality tyre division, a lesser-known but strategically essential part of the group’s operations. During its latest Media Day, held on 9 and 10 June 2026, the company welcomed visitors to its Almería Test Center in Spain, known as CEMA – a facility deliberately chosen for its exposure to Europe’s most punishing weather conditions. At this site, the group rigorously pushes its products to their breaking points, underscoring how critical this lesser-known division is to overall corporate strategy.

Specialty tyres are presented as vital components for industries where operational failures carry severe economic and human risks. They ensure safe aircraft landings, maintain continuous mining output and boost agricultural machinery performance under strict technical and regulatory demands. Rather than simple rubber parts, these products function as high-technology assets that keep the global economy running smoothly, performing reliably in some of the harshest environments on earth.

Financially, this segment has become Michelin’s most lucrative tyre activity, generating 17 percent of group revenue with a 13.1 percent operating margin in 2025. First-quarter 2026 data showed volume growth of 2.5 percent, with further expansion expected in structurally growing markets like air transport, logistics and defence, where annual growth rates range from three to eight percent. Research and development investments, 90 percent of which remain in France, support this trajectory alongside a manufacturing scale-up at Bourges and new industrial processes in Le Puy, Troyes and Montceau-les-Mines.

Michelin enhances client performance through specialised teams, digital services and enduring partnerships backed by 6,000 researchers and deep materials science expertise. Motorsport activities accelerate innovation by pushing tyres to their limits, while the CEMA facility itself serves as a unique living laboratory. With 113 kilometres of tracks, vast terrain and custom-built measurement tools from Clermont-Ferrand engineers, the centre is far more than a test track, standing as a central pillar of Michelin’s innovation strategy.

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Pirelli has achieved a historic electric vehicle lap record at the Nürburgring, courtesy of its P Zero Trofeo RS semi-slick tyres fitted to a Porsche Taycan Turbo GT with Manthey Kit. The car demolished the traditional seven-minute barrier by posting 6:55 minutes, outperforming all other production electric vehicles on the punishing circuit. A bespoke tyre version delivered decisive extra grip. This result marked a major improvement over the 2023 benchmark of 7:07.5 set by the Taycan Turbo GT Weissach. The rubber also features Pirelli Elect technology, designed to boost electrified vehicle dynamics.

The latest Nürburgring triumph cements the P Zero Trofeo RS as the definitive track tyre. Originally created as original equipment for hypercars and supercars, including custom variants for the Porsche 911 GT3 and GT3 RS, it has now entered the replacement market. This move brings Pirelli’s expertise from premium fitments directly to customers. Intended for drivers who demand ultra-high performance, the tyre also carries road homologation despite its track-focused design.

Developed specifically for the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT with Manthey Kit, this tyre is the first production model made with over 50 percent certified bio-based and recycled materials to contribute to a Nürburgring record. A dedicated logo on the sidewall identifies this composition. The natural rubber used holds Forest Stewardship Council certification, ensuring responsible supply chain management.

The P Zero Trofeo RS has recently earned top recognition from Tyre Reviews as the finest among the fastest tyres globally, citing dry grip and consistency. Auto Bild Sportscars also gave an exemplary rating after comparing five road-legal semi-slick tyres. Since its debut, the tyre has accumulated multiple records on the German circuit, including three in 2025: the electric vehicle lap record, the first 7:30 time for compact cars and the fastest touring car record.

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