The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., is supplying its Geolandar A/T G31 and Geolandar X-CV tyres as original equipment (OE) for Toyota Motor Corporation’s new 4Runner SUV in certain markets. The Geolandar A/T G31 245/70R18 110H tyres are being fitted for Latin America, and the GEOLANDAR X-CV 245/70R17 110T and 265/55R20 113V tyres are being fitted for North America.
Further to our initial previews including an overview of the race, and an interview with motorsport director Matthieu Bonardel, during the 2025 Le Mans 24 Hours, Tyres & Accessories also took the opportunity to speak with Serge Lafon, Michelin’s president of business line automotive OE in order to learn more about how motorsport provides not only a relational connection between vehicle makers and tyre suppliers, but is also another step on the journey from the racetrack to the road in terms of tyre development. From that starting point, our conversation covered threads including hydrogen power, electric vehicles (EVs), sustainability as well as OE’s connection with motorsport innovation.
At 24 Hours of Le Mans 2025, Tyres & Accessories spoke with Michelin motorsport global director, Matthieu Bonardel; and Serge Lafon, Michelin’s president of business line automotive OE; as well as racing team crews themselves plus the indispensable tyre technicians; and heard their first-hand experience of the critical nature of tyres to racing teams from the racetrack and the pitlane and from there to the roads. Over the next couple of weeks, we’re publishing excerpts from those interviews here online ahead of complete coverage in the forthcoming July edition of Tyres & Accessories magazine.
The famed 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race sees dozens of cars across three categories race at speeds of up to 330 km/h non-stop for a whole day in-front of a live audience numbering around 300,000. Its spectacular, yes. But it is more than just a spectacle. Michelin’s motorsport endeavours – embodied by its unparalleled history of supporting victory at Le Mans – exemplify the so-called racetrack-to-road philosophy. However, in addition to outright performance gains – which are clearly the foundation of Michelin’s work in top-flight racing series and events like Le Mans – Michelin is also working to develop road-orientated sustainability benefits at the same time.
Nexen Tire’s Roadian HTX2, tyres have been selected as original equipment (OE) for the Kia Tasman, the brand’s new global pickup truck model. The tyre, developed for SUVs and pickup trucks, will be fitted on Tasman vehicles exported to Latin America.
The new Renault 5 E-Tech Electric comes factory fitted with Continental EcoContact 6 Q summer tyres. Continental is supplying tyres in 195/55 R18 93H XL for the all-electric new edition of the “cult classic”. The energy-saving premium tyres bear the Renault-specific sidewall designation “R”. Continental has designed the EcoContact 6 Q tyre for particularly energy-saving and low-noise driving, which particularly benefits electric vehicles such as the R5.
A round of dramatic price cuts by Chinese manufacturers in their domestic market recently has raised the possibility of a similar strategy being adopted in the UK, says fleet software and management specialist FleetCheck.
The Financial Times is reporting that BYD has “fired a new salvo in a prolonged price war” by reducing prices of 20 different models by up to 34 per cent with other manufacturers following suit. Share values have fallen as a result.
Nexen Tire is supplying its N’Fera Supreme S all-season tyres as original equipment (OE) for the Kia EV4, Kia’s first electric saloon car. According to the Korean tyremaker, the N’Fera Supreme S was selected for the EV4 in order to meet “the unique performance demands of electric vehicles, including high torque, low noise, and precise handling”.
According to manufacturer Stellantis, “the Jeep Avenger 4xe is set to redefine expectations in the B-SUV segment offering an exclusive design, top-tier performance, and embodying Jeep’s rich legacy of all-wheel drive.” Propulsion-wise it is a 48V hybrid system, combining a robust turbo engine with dual 21Kw electric motors, for a total power of 145HP. It is also being factory fitted with Goodyear all-season tyres.
Apollo Tyres Ltd reports that it is expanding its collaboration with Claas by introducing 14 new sizes of Vredestein Traxion tyres for the Arion 500 and 600 midrange tractors.
Vredestein tyres have long been available for larger Claas tractors, including Axion 800 and 900 models manufactured in Le Mans, France, and the Xerion range produced in Harsewinkel, Germany. Expanding the Traxion range for Arion 500 and 600 models addresses reported “strong demand from end users for Vredestein tyres across a diverse range of Claas equipment”.
ZC Rubber’s Chaoyang Tire brand has been selected as the Original Equipment (OE) tyre supplier for Toyota’s bZ3X in the Chinese market. According to the tyremaker, this is “the first time the world’s largest automaker has partnered with a tyre brand from mainland China”.
We’ve written about the connection between Goodyear tyres and Tesla vehicles (especially the Cybertruck) before. Since then, Tesla has introduced smart tyre tread sensors inside its OEM Cybertruck tyres that reportedly provide real-time data, which can be use to adapt on-board systems and potentially to offer predictive maintenance advice.
Mercedes-AMG has recommend the General Grabber AT3 for its G63 SUV. The ultra-high-performance SUV from AMG can now be fitted not only with original equipment tyres, but also with the 20-inch Grabber AT3 bearing a special MO1A tyre marking.
Following Xiaomi’s launch of the SU7 Ultra, Sailun is highlighting the PT01 track-ready high-performance tyre, developed in collaboration with Sailun.
In case it new to you, the standard version of Xiaomi SU7 Ultra is priced at RMB 529,900 (£57,345; 69,240 euros). In addition, at the car’s 27 February launch, Xiaomi also announced a range of optional configurations available, including the “Racing Package” and the “Nürburgring Nordschleife Limited Edition”. The “Racing Package” includes “Bilstein Evo R for Ultra coilover shock absorbers, Endless high-performance brake pads, Pirelli P Zero fifth-generation high-performance tyres, an additional set of Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS semi-slick tyres, 21-inch U-shaped forged wheel hubs, carbon fibre rear wheel arches, a 1.7㎡ carbon fibre roof, and more.”
The outlook for West European heavy trailer sales is projected to be stronger in 2025. The prognosis for the 2026 to 2028 period indicates increasing trailer demand, which is expected to eventually match the historic peaks of 2008 and 2018, according to Clear International’s February 2025 Forecast.
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