Tire Tracker: October fitments, testing, ratings, innovation news

Latest news on fitments, testing and related innovations from the global tire industry:

Japan: Yokohama Rubber's US subsidiary has been named 'premier partner' for the Porsche Carrera Cup North America in 2024 and will supply Advan racing tires as the control tire for all series races to be held in the US and Canada. Company will supply Advan A005 tires for dry conditions and Advan A006 tires for wet conditions.

Japan: Yokohama Rubber is supplying its BluEarth AE-01 tires as OE for Honda’s new mini-vehicle, N-Box, which was launched in Japan in October 2023. The N-BOX is being equipped with155/65R14 75S size tires. The fuel-efficient standard tire is claimed to offer “excellent fuel-efficiency and a high level of balance between basic performance properties such as quietness, comfortable performance, a comfortable ride, and long life.” According to YRC, its BluEarth tires are now coming factory-equipped on petrol, hybrid and electrical vehicles, including the latest-model sedans, SUVs, sports cars, and compact cars.

Germany: Falken has unveiled the Azenis RS820, as its first UUHP tire for road and track in Europe. Initially available in 38 sizes spanning 19 to 21 inches, with cross-sections from 30 to 45, and a Y speed index – rated up to 300 km/h, the tire derives from Falken’s motorsport technologies, materials knowledge of its engineers in Europe and technological capabilities of parent company Sumitomo Rubber in Japan. Aramid is used in the hybrid-configured reinforcements, while an optimised belt ply provides even pressure distribution, allowing for a dynamic driving experience with heightened safety. The tread compound includes chemical compounds that “ensure ruggedness in the tread blocks, while “interlocking microstructures” improve driving properties across different road surfaces and conditions. Falken’s 4D nano design technology was used to optimise the molecular structure of rubber compounds at nano level: lowering wear rates and increasing lifespan. Label values for the Azenis RS820 are provisionally classified as A (performance in wet conditions), B?(noise) and C (fuel economy).

Germany: BYD is offering it electric vehicle model Seal factory-fitted with energy-saving and noise-optimised tires from Continental. The EcoContact 6 Q tires, in 19-inch fitment, employ a special rubber compound that minimises energy-absorption: reducing friction and rolling resistance. The tires are also claimed to provide short braking-distances, enhanced grip on dry and wet roads and superior cornering stability even at high speeds.  The tire size is approved for the BYD Seal in “numerous countries” including the UK and Ireland.

South Korea: Nexen Tire announced 25 Oct that is supplying its N’Fera Sport tires as OE for the eighth-generation of the BMW 5 Series Sedan in size 225/55 R18 102Y XL. The “European premium sports tire” is claimed to provides excellent dry and wet performance through a wide longitudinal groove and features asymmetrical patterns. Furthermore, said Nexen, pattern-design optimisation improves high-speed reliability, handling performance, and noise suppression significantly, while grip was enhanced by the use of new compounds. In independent summer tire tests, the N’Fera Sport received "strong" ratings, said Nexen, noting that the tire also earned main prize in the product design category of the 'Red Dot Design Awards' in Germany. The tire maker added that it plans to expand its supply of OE tires to global premium car makers and strengthen its competitiveness in Europe.

Germany: Continental has been awarded ‘preferred tire partner’ status by Mercedes-Benz in China, Australia, Malaysia, and Indonesia until August 2025, the tire maker had announced. An existing partnership with Mercedes-Benz in India has been extended until August 2024, added a 19 Oct statement from the Hanover-based tire maker. As a preferred tire partner, Continental said it will have access to central-ordering and sales tools linking to the Mercedes-Benz network as well as to a direct online platform for order-processing. Read more

South Korea: Hankook is launching first all-season tire specifically for EVs in the European market with the new iON FlexClimate. The Hankook iON FlexClimate lines up alongside the summer tire tread for EV cars and SUVs, the Hankook iON evo, and the corresponding winter tread, the Hankook iON i*cept. All iON products can also be used on conventional vehicles with combustion or hybrid drive. According to Hankook, the tire offers high performance for both summer and moderate winter driving conditions. In particular, the tire offers low rolling resistance compared to conventional tires and provides “excellent grip on wet surfaces”.

Japan - Sumitomo Rubber Industries introducing 43% sustainable tires at the All Japan Karting Championship to be held 21-22 Oct. The Dunlop tires, to be used for the third round of the EV category, feature feedstock sourced from biomass and recycled raw materials; end-of-life tires and natural rubber. The new race tires will see Dunlop beat a previously set goal to launch enhanced sustainable-content tires for motorsports in 2024.

Germany - Goodyear’s performance in the winter tire category has earned it ‘manufacturer of the year’ title by German automotive publication Auto Bild, the tire maker has announced. In particular, the judges cited results reported for Goodyear’s UltraGrip Performance tires in various magazine tests across Europe. These included model size 225/45 R18, which was recognised for its “environmentally conscious, sustainable and safe mobility.” Also cited were the results achieved by Goodyear’s UltraGrip Performance tires during comparative tests in Sweden and Finland.

Germany - Continental’s WinterContact TS 870 P tire has received an “exemplary” rating in a recently published inter-tire test, it announced 5 Oct. The tests covered 54 products in size 225/45 R 18 from European, American and Asian manufacturers on a 3-series BMW. The WinterContact TS 870 P was given grades of 1 and 2 on snow, wet roads and dry roads and recognised its “balanced performance in all kinds of weather, dynamic handling in wet and dry conditions, and short braking distances.” The tire from Continental’s development department in Hanover also received a grade of “good” for mileage and rolling resistance, which affect cost efficiency.

UK - London-based Enso is supplying tires for Hived’s electric vehicles, under a three-month trial announced 20 Oct by the two UK startups. With a London-wide EV parcel delivery network serving brands such as ASOS and Zara, Hived aims to cut emissions per delivery by up to 76%. Enso claims its tire technology reduces tire particulate emissions by 35%. The trial, said Enso, is the first real-world test of its latest generation of tires. Enso has also been involved in trials of its tires fitted on Royal Mail electric vans in London (ERJ report). Under a deal signed in 27 Feb, Algerian tire maker IRIS is manufacturing EV tires for ENSO at its Sétif, Algeria plant, under a “long-term partnership” between the companies.