For its ID. Buzz, Volkswagen has equipped it with Hankook’s Ventus S1 evo 3 ev. While for the transporter ID. Buzz Cargo, the 18-inch entry-level tyres are available exclusively, the electric bus ID. Buzz can also be ordered with the 21-inch version. In this combination, the first Hankook premium passenger car tyre with the ‘HL’ load index designation is also making its debut. One of the special challenges during the approximately 2.5-year development phase was the tyre tuning with regard to the very high permissible total weight of the VW ID. Buzz and the distinct driving dynamics at the level of a passenger car.

Sanghoon Lee, President of Hankook Tire Europe, said, “Hankook and Volkswagen have been working together successfully for many years. Developing the tyres for the VW ID. Buzz represents another highlight of this cooperation. It makes us proud that this car, reminiscent of the globally popular original 'Bulli', will be delivered with Hankook tyres straight from the factory."

Rolling resistance, load-bearing capacity and comfort
With the 18-inch version of the Ventus S1 evo 3 ev, Hankook supplies the ID. Buzz family with all-round qualities. The tyre, which is specially designed for electric vehicles, brings the above-average drive torque onto the road with confidence, indispensable for the Volkswagen ID. Buzz, which combines the driving dynamics of a passenger car with the curb weight of a van.

In addition, the tyre is characterised by excellent stability. The basis for the robust tyre body of the Ventus S1 evo 3 ev is the double-ply carcass made of a specially developed high-performance fibre, which combines stability and low weight. Thus, the Ventus S1 evo 3 ev has a low tare weight relative to its size. Added to this are the benefits of the tread design, which ensures outstanding acoustic comfort. As a result, the noise emissions, which are low in electric vehicles per se, are significantly reduced once again.

Another characteristic of the Ventus S1 evo 3 ev is its high abrasion resistance – the result of the tread compound specially designed for high drive torques. In terms of rolling resistance, the tyre also fulfils the specifications in an exemplary manner. Compared to a comparable B-rated tyre, the Label A tyre can contribute to an increase in range of up to 30 kilometres per battery charge.

In the 21-inch dimension for the ID. Buzz – due to the reduced sidewall height – an additional steel-based reinforcement is used in the bead area. This contributes to an even higher sidewall stiffness. This ensures a particularly dynamic, direct steering feedback. Finally, an independent feature of the 21-inch version is the aerodynamically optimised contour of the rim protection strip, which also contributes to more reach.

First Hankook passenger car tyre with HL signature
With the Ventus S1 evo 3 ev in HL 235/45 R21 104T XL and HL 265/40 R21 108T XL for the ID. Buzz, Hankook presents passenger car tyres with the ‘HL’ load index designation for the first time in its portfolio. The latest generation of powerful passenger cars and SUVs with battery drive is characterised by a significantly higher vehicle weight. This requires tyres that have a significantly higher load capacity at the same inflation pressure. Hankook claims that the Ventus S1 evo 3 ev masters this challenge with aplomb, so that the VW ID. BUZZ can bring its driving dynamics, which are favoured by the low centre of gravity, onto the road without any restrictions.

Klaus Krause, Head of the Hankook Europe Technical Center in Hanover, explained, “With the development of the high load capacity tyre, Hankook is further expanding its original equipment portfolio. The tyre, which is adapted to the higher vehicle weight that is of great relevance for e-transporters, supports the driving characteristics of the VW ID. Buzz.”

SEALGUARD technology
The 21-inch dimension of the Ventus S1 evo 3 ev is equipped with the Hankook SEALGUARD, sealing material as a further comfort and safety feature. This automatically seals punctures of up to five millimetres in diameter in the area of the tyre tread. This technology allows the driver to continue driving even in the event of a nail puncture, for example. A spare wheel or puncture kit therefore no longer needs to be carried in SEALGUARD-equipped vehicles. It provides additional space in the boot, saving weight and eliminating the need for a potentially dangerous roadside wheel change. In addition to their safety benefits, tyres equipped with this technology continue to offer the same level of comfort, as their basic construction is no different from tyres without SEALGUARD.

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WACKER has earned the 2025 Gold Medal from the independent rating agency EcoVadis, marking its continued recognition for sustainable practices and responsible corporate governance. This distinction places the company within the top five percent of all businesses assessed by EcoVadis (over 1,000 companies globally). WACKER's overall score improved from 77 points (in 2024) to 79 points, driven largely by enhanced reporting and concrete actions focused on Scope 3 emissions and ethical standards.

The EcoVadis assessment measures the quality of a company’s sustainability management through a methodology grounded in international frameworks like the Global Reporting Initiative, the UN Global Compact and ISO 26000. Performance is scored from 0 to 100 across four core areas: environment, labour and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement, using 21 specific indicators.

In line with its commitment, WACKER provides its EcoVadis evaluation to customers as a standardised and credible validation of its sustainability efforts. The company has also defined ambitious climate targets, aiming to halve its absolute greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 relative to 2020 levels. Progress is already evident, with a 30 percent reduction achieved as of 2024. Looking further ahead, WACKER strives to reach net-zero emissions across its operations by the year 2045.

Peter Gigler, Head of Corporate ESG, WACKER, said, “The result confirms our initiatives in many key areas. It provides our customers with invaluable proof.”

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Balkrishna Industries Ltd (BKT Tires), a global leader in off-highway tyre manufacturing, has appointed Craig Borman as Head of OTR at BKT USA. The appointment is in line with BKT’s long-term strategy through 2030.

Borman brings with him 20 years of experience across off-road equipment, tyres and rubber tracks. He will play a key role in leading BKT USA's OTR team and expanding the company's presence in this market while increasing awareness of the value and dependability of BKT's range of products.

Borman said, “I’m extremely excited to join the BKT family and to build off the successes that this team has already achieved. I look forward to engaging with our partners, determining how we can accelerate our mutual growth and working towards achieving BKT’s vision of being a recognised leader in the OTR segment.”

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The Supervisory Board of Continental AG confirmed a significant leadership transition during its meeting on 17 December 2025. Christian Kötz will be appointed as the new Chairman of the Executive Board and Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 January 2026. He succeeds Nikolai Setzer, who will step down from the Executive Board on 31 December 2025. Setzer's departure follows more than 16 years as a board member, including the last five years in the CEO role, and occurs by mutual agreement as the company reaches a pivotal point in its strategic evolution.

This planned change in leadership aligns with the substantial progress Continental has made in its transformation into a pure-play tyre company. Major structural milestones have been achieved, including the spin-off of Aumovio and the signing of an agreement to sell the Original Equipment Solutions (OESL) business area. Regarding the planned 2026 sale of ContiTech, internal preparations are largely complete. The market outreach phase has concluded, and a structured sales process is scheduled to begin in January 2026, setting the stage for the final step in the corporate realignment.

Kötz’s extensive background within the tyre business, dating back to 1996, positions him to lead this final phase. A member of the Executive Board since 2019, his previous leadership roles within the Tires group sector included responsibility for the passenger car tyre replacement business in the EMEA region, the original equipment and commercial vehicle tyre business units and global research and development for passenger car tyres. His many years of trusted collaboration with Nikolai Setzer are expected to ensure continuity during the transition.

Kötz will lead an Executive Board comprising several key figures. Alongside him and Philip Nelles, who has headed the ContiTech group sector since 2021, are Roland Welzbacher and Ulrike Hintze. Welzbacher joined the board in August 2025 and assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer on 1 October 2025. Hintze was appointed to the board on 1 July 2025, serving as Chief Human Resources Officer and Director of Labour Relations. This board will be responsible for driving the tyre business forward, completing the corporate realignment and, following the sale of ContiTech, integrating the remaining group functions into the tyre organisation.

Wolfgang Reitzle, Chairman of Continental’s Supervisory Board, said, “Nikolai Setzer has been instrumental in shaping Continental, realigning the organisation and paving the way for three strong, independent companies. For this, he has the thanks of the entire Supervisory Board as well as my personal gratitude. With this handover, we are consolidating responsibility for the tyre business, the realignment and the remaining tasks of the group functions in one role. Christian Kötz is one of the most distinguished managers in the global tyre industry. With his extensive experience and passion for Continental, we firmly believe he is the right choice to lead the company successfully into the future.”

Setzer said, “In recent years, we have succeeded in transforming a diverse portfolio of businesses into three strong, independent champions. After 28 years at Continental, now is the right time for me to hand over responsibility to Christian Kötz. I’m extremely grateful for the journey we’ve all shared and proud of what we’ve all achieved together. I firmly believe that the tyre business, ContiTech, Aumovio and OESL have a promising future ahead.”

Kötz said, “I would like to thank the Supervisory Board for its trust and am excited about this new responsibility. Continental has been my professional home for three decades. Together with the Executive Board team and all colleagues throughout the company, we will complete the realignment and continue the success story of our tyre business.”

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Following the 2025 General Assembly, Law Hieling has been elected to the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR) Executive Committee to represent the Manufacturer category. His 27-year international career at Michelin, encompassing roles in finance, commercial sales, distribution and his current leadership in natural rubber purchasing, provides a profound, ground-level understanding of the global tyre industry.

This extensive background has given him a clear appreciation for the intricate balance between commercial needs and ecological responsibility. He is committed to leveraging this perspective to help drive the collaborative, transparent and equitable solutions that are essential for a genuinely sustainable natural rubber value chain, benefiting both people and the planet.

Hieling said, “I look forward to contributing to the work of the Executive Committee in advancing responsible practices across the natural rubber sector.”

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