Kumho Tire has extended its original equipment business with Volkswagen Group with supply to the VW Tiguan and Cupra Terramar. It will deliver the Kumho Ecsta PS71 SUV for fitment on the Tiguan in sizes 215/65 R17 and 235/55 R18, while the Terramar will wear the PS71 in 235/55 R18.
Don’t tell Donald – US car maker Cadillac has chosen a European tyre as original equipment for its Lyriq-V. Most versions of this electric SUV will ride on 22-inch rims as standard, and General Motors has given the Continental PremiumContact 6 worldwide approval as the original equipment tyre in this dimension. Lyric-V will thus wear the Continental tyre model in 275/40 R22 107 V in many markets.
Pirelli has published its Tyre Market Watch statistics for January 2025, and these show contrasting trends. While the original equipment tyre sector declined in most regions, the replacement segment showed resilience. As Pirelli is only active in the consumer and van tyre segment, Tyre Market Watch does not cover commercial vehicle markets.
The all-electric VW ID.7 leaves the factory with Continental tyres as standard equipment thanks to Volkswagen’s selection of the EcoContact 7 S as exclusive worldwide original equipment fitment for this model in the 21-inch tyre size. Continental is supplying the tyre in 235/40 R21 98H XL and 265/35 R21 101H XL; both dimensions feature the ContiSeal puncture solution.
Michelin has published its latest analysis of the passenger car, light truck, and truck & bus tyre markets for January 2025, providing insights into year-on-year market trends. Against a backdrop of economic uncertainty and geopolitical challenges, varying trends were observed across different regions and market segments.
Yokohama Rubber has further expanded its original equipment supply activities in China with a new deal with Lynk & Co, the firm established in 2016 as a three-way joint venture and, from 14 February 2025, a non-wholly owned subsidiary of Zeekr Intelligent Technology. The Lynk & Co Z10 saloon – the company’s first full electric vehicle – leaves the factory equipped with Yokohama Advan Sport EV tyres in size 245/50R19 105W.
The secret to combating climate change is to develop a new tyre, or at least it is when change manifests itself in cooler, wet conditions. Porsche has shared details of joint development work it conducted with Michelin on a tailored version of the Pilot Sport S 5 for the 911 GT3 RS. The result is a tyre the Stuttgart-based marque considers “a perfect option for prolonging the track-day season.”
Here at Tyrepress headquarters we’ve bolted all the doors and are hammering large pieces of crooked wood against the windows. XPeng has officially arrived in the UK, and the launch event included the eVTOL X2. Billed as a flying car, this particular vehicle has – horror of horrors – no tyres. To our considerable relief, the only XPeng model that UK residents can actually buy at present does come with four rubbery rings, and it appears the Chinese automotive firm favours a particular European brand.
Yokohama Rubber is supplying original equipment tyres to Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co., Ltd. for factory fitment on its Leapmotor C16. The SUV wears Yokohama Advan Sport EV tyres in size 245/45R21 104V XL at the front and 255/45R21 106V XL on the rear wheels. Leapmotor established a strategic alliance with Yokohama Rubber in July 2024, a month after the C16 debuted in China.
Bridgestone is supplying Battlax Racing Street RS11 tyres as original equipment for the Yamaha YZF-R9. This new Supersport bike will wear Bridgestone Battlax tyres in European markets and Japan in the front wheel size 120/70 M/C ZR17 (58W) and rear size 180/55 ZR17 M/C (73W).
Nexen Tire is supplying original equipment tyres to the new model of Hyundai’s flagship SUV, the Palisade. Hyundai will fit the Nexen N’Fera Supreme S all-season tyre, tuned for both performance and comfort alongside year round mobility, to the Palisade. This is the first time Nexen will supply tyres to the Hyundai Palisade, and it says the deal demonstrates the high regard in which its technology and product quality are regarded. It is also an illustration of Nexen’s current strategy to improve its competitiveness globally. Travis Kang, global CEO of Nexen Tire, said the deal, in which Nexen overcame “competition with leading global tyre manufacturers,” represents “an encouraging milestone.”
When starting work on its latest generation Macan Electric and Panamera models, Porsche approached Bridgestone to develop bespoke tyres for each. Both vehicles are now available with custom-engineered Bridgestone Potenza Sport ultra-high-performance tyres. Owners of the third-generation Porsche Panamera saloon can also fit manufacturer approved Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 tyres – the tyre maker’s first winter original fitment for Porsche.
Pirelli has issued its latest Tyre Market Watch, which covers global original equipment and replacement tyre markets in December 2024 and the entirety of last year. The overall picture was one of resilience, with mixed results recorded across regions and segments.
Ford has selected Continental tyres as original equipment for its new Explorer and Capri electric SUVs. Under an exclusive, worldwide deal, both models will leave the factory on Continental EcoContact 6 Q summer tyres in 19-, 20- and 21-inch sizes. Ford has also approved the AllSeasonContact as OE for 19-inch rims.
Yokohama’s latest premium tyres are proving popular among original equipment manufacturers in a wide variety of applications. The manufacturer’s Advan Sport EV offers a new tread compound designed to reduce rolling resistance, tackling range anxiety in the growing electric vehicle segment. The Adan Sport EV also features Silentfoam, a specially designed foam inside the tyre which contributes to a quieter ride.
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Nexen Tire
