The CrossClimate2 has been lauded for being the first passenger tyre in the all-season category to deliver multiple performance attributes without compromise. Competitors in the all-season tyre category typically deliver one or two performance areas well but must make sacrifices in other areas that are important to drivers. The CrossClimate2 delivers them all – wet stopping, longevity, dry grip and snow performance.
The CrossClimate2 has a distinct V-formation tread pattern. This tread pattern works together with the tyre’s revolutionary rubber compound to redefine the “all-season” category and bring drivers a tyre that excels in more climate conditions than any competing product.
Road testing shows the CrossClimate2 wears better than leading competitors. Not by a little bit, by a lot -- up to 15,000 extra miles. That’s up to an additional year of use.2 The CrossClimate2 includes a 60,000-mile warranty.
Stopping power matters in wet or dry conditions. The CrossClimate2 stops up to 16 feet shorter (more than one full car length) on dry pavement than four leading competitive tyres.
NEW COMPOUND, TREAD MAKE CINTURATO ALL SEASON SF2 WINNER
Pirelli’s Cinturato All Season SF2, their latest all-season tyre, offers top performance in both winter and summer conditions. The new compound and tread pattern design that adapts automatically to the different temperature peaks of summer and winter, a review says. The tread pattern is so designed that it responds to the surface conditions well.
“To provide grip when we are driving in the snow, a tyre has to cut the snow surface and trap the snow itself to provide the grip, because snow with snow has higher grip than rubber with snow. From this point of view, the sipes of typical winter tyres are fundamental. This is the same for all-season tyres. In the SF2 you will see that the sipes are linear, not zigzagged like a typical winter tyre. This is because they also have to work in the summer,” Pierangelo Misani, Senior VP, R&D and cyber at Pirelli, was quoted as saying.
Pirelli says the compound also changes characteristics depending on temperature: soft and adaptable for cold and wet conditions, rigid and stable for when it is dry. This is achieved through careful blending of the components of the compound, which includes biphasic polymeric materials chemically linked by silica particles – a concept that Pirelli claims also delivers lower rolling resistance, for lower fuel consumption or a longer battery range.
CONTINENTAL LAUNCHES EXTREMECONTACT DWS06 PLUSON
Continental Tire has launched its latest all-season ultra-high performance ExtremeContact DWS06 Pluson. It is available in 100 sizes and covers 96% of the all-season ultra-high-performance market.
The ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus is the successor to the popular ExtremeContact™DWS06 with improvement in all key performance areas including enhanced dry and wet handling, improved braking, and improved snow and ice performance. It also features exceptional tread life and is backed by a 50,000 mile limited tread life warranty.
Continental Tire’s SportPlus™ Technology provides precise handling, security on wet, slippery roads and excellent tread life, while QuickView Indicators visually inform drivers to the level tires are performing in dry, wet and snow, and the need to check vehicles’ alignment.
The ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus is ideal for performance-focused drivers of sports and luxury cars, CUVs and SUVs.
Continental Tire’s Total Confidence Plan which provides an extra measure of confidence with a comprehensive package of available warranties and services including: Limited Warranty, Flat Tire Roadside Assistance, Customer Satisfaction Trial, Mileage Warranty (if applicable) and Road Hazard Coverage.
NOKIAN ONE: NEWEST ALL-SEASON FROM COMPANY
Nokian is ramping up production of its newest, the Nokian One, which will be produced at its new plant in Tennessee as well as in Europe. The One is the first Nokian all-season tyre developed specifically for the North American market. A tyre that can better handle hazardous road situations while having a tread life expectancy of 80,000 miles is a promising prospect. So is the expected affordable price point, although the company has not released price information yet.
Nokian claims the One will have improved wet braking and handling over its current Entyre 2.0 all-season as well as lower rolling resistance. The company says the Nokian One has a Driving Safety Indicator on the tread (pictured at left above) that displays a number to indicate the amount of tread remaining.
YOKOHAMA GEOLANDER WINS TOP DESIGN AWARD
Yokohama “GEOLANDAR CV G058,” touring tyre for crossover SUVs, won the Chicago Athenaeum’s 2020 Good Design Awards. The award, established in 1950, is the world’s oldest and most prestigious worldwide design award. It is organized by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design. Candidate products are judged by experts who evaluate products from diverse perspectives, including design, use of new technologies, materials and function. In 2020, the Good Design Award was presented to more than 900 products and graphic designs from entries received from more than 47 countries and covering a wide range of categories, including electronics equipment, transportation-related goods, and medical equipment.
The “GEOLANDAR CV G058” is a grand touring tyre that delivers comfortable rides on long-distance drives as well as on city roads, according to Yokohama. In addition to basic performance features of a highway terrain tyre, such as safety and noise reduction, the design contributes to its excellent wear resistance and fuel efficiency. Yokohama said the “GEOLANDAR CV G058” has secured the M+S (mud & snow) designation that indicates its reliable performance in a sudden snowfall.
The rollout of GST 2.0 marks a defining moment in India’s economic journey – a reform that may well prove even more consequential than the original introduction of the Goods and Services Tax. Especially for a sector like tyres, the recent reduction in (GST) on tyres is far more than just a change in numbers. It is a transformative step that touches every wheel turning on India’s roads – from a farmer’s tractor to a trucker’s long-haul trailer and from a commuter’s scooter to a construction vehicle powering the nation’s infrastructure.
For years, tyres were taxed at 28 percent – the highest GST slab, clubbed with luxury and demerit goods. This categorisation never truly reflected the essential role tyres play in our everyday lives. Tyres are not a luxury. They are a fundamental enabler of mobility, supporting the movement of people and goods across cities, towns and villages. By bringing GST rates on tyres down to a more rational level, the government has addressed a long-standing anomaly and set the stage for widespread benefits across the economy.
The most visible impact of this move will be felt on the ground – literally. Lower GST means more affordable tyres for all users. Especially for transporters and fleet operators, tyres account for a significant chunk of vehicle running costs. A reduction in tax translates into lower replacement costs, freeing up working capital and improving operational margins. Farmers, small traders, delivery personnel, service providers, transporters – every segment that relies on mobility will feel this relief.
India has been working hard to bring down logistics costs, which are believed to be about 13–14 percent of GDP – much higher than global benchmarks. Tyres have a direct bearing on vehicle operating efficiency, fuel consumption and maintenance schedules. When tyres become more affordable, operators can replace tyres on time, and run vehicles more efficiently.
This naturally leads to lower logistics costs. Reduced logistics costs ripple across the value chain, helping industries move goods faster and at lower cost. This aligns perfectly with India’s ambition to become a more globally competitive manufacturing and trading hub.
Tyre industry’s story is not just urban – it’s deeply rural as well. Tractor tyres, power tiller tyres and tyres for animal-drawn vehicles are integral to the agricultural economy. A reduction in GST brings meaningful relief to farmers and small cultivators who rely on these tyres for their daily operations. By easing this cost, the government has extended direct support to rural mobility and agricultural productivity – an often underappreciated but critical outcome of this reform.
One of the most powerful yet often overlooked impacts of this decision lies in road safety. Worn-out tyres are a major cause of road accidents, particularly on highways. High replacement costs often lead to tyres being used well past their safe life.
With lower GST making new tyres more accessible, both individual motorists and commercial fleet owners are more likely to replace tyres on time, keeping vehicles safer and reducing accident risks. This complements the government’s broader road safety agenda, making highways not just faster but safer for everyone.
For the Indian tyre industry, which is one of the largest in the world, this reform is a game changer. It creates a more balanced tax structure, supports better cash flow, improves compliance and strengthens the competitiveness of domestic manufacturers. It will also encourage investment and capacity expansion, enabling the industry to serve growing domestic demand and tap export opportunities more effectively.
The GST reduction on tyres is a strategic, forward-looking policy decision that will benefit the entire mobility ecosystem. It acknowledges the essential role tyres play – not just as a product, but as a critical enabler of transportation, logistics, rural livelihoods and road safety.
As this reform takes root, its positive impact will be felt by consumers, businesses, farmers and industries alike. The tyre industry, represented by ATMA, welcomes this move wholeheartedly and remains committed to working alongside the government to strengthen India’s journey towards affordable, efficient and safe mobility for all.
The author is Director General of the New Delhi-based tyre industry association, Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA).The views expressed here are personal.
WACKER Secures Gold Medal In EcoVadis Sustainability Rating
- By TT News
- December 18, 2025
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.”
Craig Borman Appointed As Head Of OTR At BKT USA
- By TT News
- December 18, 2025
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.”
Christian Kötz To Succeed Nikolai Setzer As Continental CEO In Planned Handover
- By TT News
- December 18, 2025
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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