Nexen Tire shares that it began shipping tyres to Hyundai for original equipment fitment on the fourth-generation Tucson in January. Hyundai Tucson models sold in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America wear the Nexen N’Fera Primus in sizes 215/65R17, 235/55R18, and 235/50R19. This deal represents the first occasion that Nexen’s European manufacturing plant in the Czech Republic has supplied OE tyres.
After rekindling their partnership in 2019, Goodyear and Brabham Automotive have once again teamed up. Goodyear is supplying its Eagle F1 SuperSport RS as original equipment tyre for the road-going version of the Australian-made supercar, the Brabham BT62R.
Bridgestone has looked to the past, present and the future in developing its most comprehensive consumer tyre range to date, which is more simplified, sustainable and sportier than ever before. The tyre giant has achieved notable positive test results for its latest product range, which, in its words, has been simplified and revitalised in the past two years.
Pirelli claims a world first with its original equipment tyre supply to the new McLaren Artura hybrid supercar. The Italian firm isn’t shipping any old bespoke P Zero tyres, rather tyres that will ‘talk’ to the Artura via Pirelli’s Cyber Tyre system. Each of the 235/35Z R19 front and 295/35 R20 rear tyres contain a sensor that loquaciously provides vital data to the car’s onboard computer.
Audi has approved three Nexen tyres for fitment on the new A3. The Korean tyre-maker will supply the N’Fera Sport UHP tyre, the N’Blue S summer eco tyre and the Winguard Sport 2 winter tyre for fitment on the premium compact Audi. The fourth-generation Audi A3, the marque’s premium compact car, was launched in Spring 2020, and is available in Sportback, built on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform, and Saloon variants.
The seventh generation of the Porsche 911 GT3 (992) will wear Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres as one of its original equipment fitments. Michelin is also offering its Pilot Sport Cup 2 R Connect as a dealer-fit option “for those who wish to push on-track performance to the limit.”
Heavy equipment manufacturer Manitou has homologated the Alliance 585 tyre range as an option for its MLT NewAg telehandlers. The Alliance 585 is now available from the factory on MLT NewAg and NewAg XL ranges in size 460/70R24.
Despite the gloomy January figures, there are signs of optimism in the UK car industry. Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle retailers in the UK, said that the steep fall in sales was expected as a result of the January lockdown, but she went on: “Retailers are optimistic about the year ahead, provided that dealerships will be allowed to reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.”
January proved to be a traumatic month for new car sales in the UK, as the market fell -39.5 per cent in the month with 59,030 fewer registrations compared to January last year, according to figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Just 90,249 cars were registered as showrooms across the country remained shut, leading to the worst start to the year since 1970.
The first tyre produced by Giti Tire to attain A grade wet grip and fuel economy on the EU label tyre has secured its second VW Group fitment in as many months. This time, the Skoda Karoq will roll off factory lines on the GitiSynergyH2 in size 225/55R17 97V. The mid-sized SUV joins the light commercial Volkswagen Caddy 5 in selecting the version of the new tyre, specially developed in cooperation with the VW Group. The tyre is due to receive its aftermarket launch in March 2021, and will replace the GitiSynergyE1 and GitiPremiumH1, with which Giti launched its brand in Europe in 2016.
Motorcycle manufacturer KTM says its 1290 Super Adventure S offers “unmatched sportiness with unrivalled performance,” promising riders a motorcycle “capable of chewing up many miles of varying terrain with untroubled ease.” These miles will be Mitas miles: KTM Sportmotorcycle GmbH has chosen the Mitas Terra Force-R as original equipment tyre for its new 160 hp travel-enduro bike.
A decade ago, Air France entered into a ten-year tyre supply contract with Michelin. The French airline has now renewed this arrangement, extending its partnership for a further ten years. The Michelin Group will equip the company’s short-, medium- and long-haul aircraft, except for the Boeing 787, with new and retreaded tyres primarily produced at the company’s Saint Doulchard plant in Bourges, France
Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM and Continental Motorcycle Tires have announced a new cooperation for the new year: Upon its launch in 2021, the KTM 890 Duke will come equipped with ContiRoad tyres as standard equipment.
Hankook Tire is delivering original equipment tyres for the Audi RS Q8. The 600 hp SUV will thus roll off the production line fitted with the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 SUV in 295/40 ZR22 112Y XL AO. To ensure safe driving in the colder months, Audi customers can additionally order the Hankook Winter i*cept evo 2 in sizes 275/40 R22 107V XL AO or 295/35 R23 108W XL AO.
Pirelli shares that its tyres have gained a total of 78 original equipment homologations for the latest versions of the BMW 8 Series Coupe, Gran Coupe, and Cabrio, including M Sport models. These cars ride on bespoke Pirelli P Zero and Cinturato P7 tyres. Depending on model, Pirelli will supply BMW with 18- to 20-inch fitments.
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