Continental Tires has been granted the Mercedes-Benz Preferred Partner status in India, valid from September 2022 to August 2024. 

As a preferred partner, Continental accesses centralized order and sales tools seamlessly integrated within Mercedes-Benz’s network. A dedicated online platform for order fulfilment is also at Continental’s disposal. Joint promotional initiatives and customer-centric events will further elevate the in-store retail experience for car owners, underscoring Continental’s dedication to customer-centric solutions and operational excellence.

“Our customers’ ambitions are our driving force”, says Dalibor Kalina, Head of Business Area Replacement Tires APAC, “Being awarded as the preferred partner by a renowned premium car manufacturer like Mercedes-Benz demonstrates our outstanding technological capabilities and dedication to support our customers in achieving their business goals.”

“We are honoured to be a preferred partner of Mercedes-Benz, a global leader in luxury cars. This partnership reflects our shared vision of delivering excellence and innovation to the Indian market, says Samir Gupta, Managing Director, Continental Tires India, and Head of Central Region BA RE APAC. With our cutting-edge technology and customer-centric solutions, we aim to enhance the driving experience and safety of Mercedes-Benz car owners in India.”

This partnership extends to Indian customers an opportunity to acquire top-tier, tailor-made tyres meticulously crafted to meet the specific requisites and benchmarks of Mercedes-Benz vehicles. This translates to heightened performance, safety, and comfort for drivers and their vehicles. Moreover, the collaboration will stimulate growth within the Indian tyre industry. Continental will collaborate closely with Mercedes-Benz retail channels to address aftermarket demands and supply the requisite tyre replacements throughout the vehicles’ lifespan. This collaborative effort is poised to bolster sales and revenue for tyre manufacturers and distributors across India.

Continental and Mercedes-Benz share a longstanding and thriving global partnership. Continental is one of Mercedes-Benz’s premier international partners for OE-Tyres and tyre replacement endeavours, furnishing tyres for the entire spectrum of the automaker’s portfolio, spanning from A- to GLS-Class. Noteworthy tyre models like SportContact 6, EcoContact 6, EcoContact 6Q, PremiumContact 6, and SportContact 7 have been custom-engineered to seamlessly align with the performance, comfort, and aesthetic attributes of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, ensuring a gratifying driving experience for customers.

Tyre manufacturer Michelin has announced the expansion of its crane tyre range with the launch of the MICHELIN X-CRANE 2 445/95 R 25, designed for mobile and all-terrain cranes.

The new tyre, which follows an initial size released with constructor Spierings last summer, combines a civil engineering casing with a truck tyre tread and represents over a decade of specialist expertise, according to the French company.

Michelin claims the new product is five percent lighter than its predecessor, the MICHELIN X-CRANE +. It features an improved load and speed index that has shifted from 174F to 178F, allowing vehicles to carry heavier loads at higher speeds.

“MICHELIN X-CRANE 2 can carry 800 kg more per tyre when travelling at 80 kph. This increased load capacity represents an additional load of 1.6 metric tonnes per axle," the company stated.

Safety improvements include enhanced braking performance. Michelin claims comparative tests showed their main competitor needed 27 percent more braking distance, equating to approximately 10.5 metres or “2-3 car lengths."

The M+S-certified tyre incorporates Michelin’s REGENION technology, which utilises metal 3D printing to create what the company describes as "self-regenerating treads". This feature reportedly maintains consistent grip throughout the tyre's lifespan regardless of conditions.

Additionally, Michelin states the technology delivers fuel consumption reductions exceeding 13 percent, potentially saving around 826 litres of fuel and €1,321.60 for cranes travelling 10,000 kilometres.

The new size has been homologated for numerous machines across European and American markets, including models from Liebherr, Grove, Tadano and Linkbelt.

Nexen Tire, a global leader in tyre manufacturing, has received approval from Škoda for its N'FERA Sport ultra-high-performance (UHP) flagship summer tyre to be used as original equipment for the new Škoda Karoq SUV.

The Karoq is ideally matched with N'FERA Sport in size 215/50R18 W XL tire, which was created especially for the European market and made in Europe. It offers improved handling and stability even at high speeds. The N'Fera Sport (size 225/40R18) is already recognised by the ADAC Summer test 2025 and earns a strong overall rating for driving safety, comfort and environmental performance. The ADAC rates it as having a very good rating among competitors due to its short braking distance from 100 kmph. It also outperforms the norm in aquaplaning and wet braking.

Edwin van der Stad, Vice President Europe Original Equipment at Nexen Tire, said, “We are thrilled to receive this homologation for the N’FERA Sport on the Škoda Karoq. As our flagship summer product, the N'FERA Sport represents the peak of our tyre technology, designed to deliver outstanding performance and safety. Achieving the most homologations among our products, it is a true testament to the tyre's quality and our dedication to excellence. We look forward to continuing our successful partnership with Škoda, enhancing the driving experience for their customers worldwide.”

Toyota Motor Corporation has selected Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd’s DUNLOP GRANDTREK H/T31 tyre as original equipment (OE) in Japan for its recently launched LEXUS GX550 SUV.

In addition to the dependability and durability that the GRANDTREK series has established, the GRANDTREK H/T31 aims for on-road performance. The product uses new tread rubber and a H/T (Highway Terrain) pattern to provide a high level of anti-wear performance, good fuel efficiency and quiet operation. In order to increase visibility and create a more opulent overall design appeal, the tyres also employ the Nano Black design method, which colours brand insignia on tyre sidewalls a darker shade of black.

With its powerful but economical engine and sturdy construction, the new GX550 offers exceptional driving performance. With its unique design, cutting-edge suspension and driving support system, and 18-inch tyres, the OVERTRAIL+ delivers both off-road and on-road performance. Toyota SUVs have long been equipped with DUNLOP's GRANDTREK line of tyres as standard equipment.

Lucid Motors has selected Hankook Tire’s EV-exclusive all-season tyre, the iON evo AS SUV, as original equipment (OE) for its all-new electric SUV, the Lucid Gravity, designed for the North American Market.

Through its partnership with Lucid Motors, Hankook Tire has unveiled the iON evo AS SUV as a high-performance all-season tyre designed especially for big electric SUVs. The tyre's next-generation compound design combines high-performance polymers, environmentally friendly components, and high-concentration silica to provide outstanding grip and improved mileage performance in a variety of driving circumstances throughout the year. Notably, the tyre's stiffness profile has been tuned to support the heavier EV battery packs while maintaining a consistent road contact pressure to improve driving stability.

Its tread shape also permits even wear, increasing the tyre's longevity. The tyres greatly reduce rolling resistance and efficiently reduce noise by carefully balancing the size and quantity of tread blocks. Drivers who want a dynamic driving experience may retain great energy economy thanks to this design's improvements.

The Lucid Gravity, a full-size, three-row SUV and Lucid Motors' second all-electric vehicle model, was just introduced in the US. The Lucid Gravity has a sleek body and an elegant interior. It has a range of more than 700 kilometres on a single charge, can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in only 3.5 seconds and produces up to 828 horsepower in Grand Touring configuration. Actual results will vary depending on temperature, driving behaviour, battery state and charging.