Continental has launched the Conti Urban HA 5, a new tyre explicitly designed for urban transportation.

The tyre is designed to meet the challenges urban bus fleets face, including varying road conditions, frequent stops, heavy traffic and the increasing number of electric buses. The Conti Urban HA 5 offers durability, safety and efficiency.

“The Conti Urban HA 5 is a significant advancement in urban tyre technology,” said Hinnerk Kaiser, Head of Product Development EMEA at Continental. “We have designed a tyre that meets the practical needs of our customers. The new tread pattern and multi-pitch technology enhance wet performance and reduce the perceived noise, contributing to a safer and more comfortable ride.”

The Conti Urban HA 5 features an enhanced tread cap and base compound, resulting in significantly higher mileage and reduced tyre replacement costs. This also contributes to lower CO2 emissions. The tyre’s improved rolling resistance leads to better fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions, especially for electric buses.

“The Conti Urban HA 5 has been developed with direct input from fleet managers and urban transport operators to address their most pressing needs,” added Kaiser. “These insights have highlighted the critical importance of several key performance areas: high mileage, low rolling resistance and advanced digital monitoring capabilities.”

Safety and comfort are key features of the Conti Urban HA 5. The robust tread pattern offers excellent wet performance, while the multi-pitch technology reduces noise. The tyre has an A rating for noise on the EU tyre label.

The Conti Urban HA 5 is designed for sustainability. Its thick sidewall and robust compounds enhance durability. The tyre can also be retreaded and recycled.

Hinnerk Kaiser highlighted the Conti Urban HA 5’s sustainable aspects, stating, “The tyre’s design ensures a high level of durability and supports our ContiLifeCycle concept, which extends its lifecycle and reduces environmental impact. By focusing on sustainability, we aim to help our customers achieve their environmental goals while maintaining high performance.”

When equipped with ContiConnect sensors, the Conti Urban HA 5 offers advanced digital tyre monitoring. Fleet managers can access precise pressure and temperature data, enabling more efficient maintenance and reducing operational costs.

The Conti Urban HA 5 will be available in size 275/70 R 22.5 starting in September 2024. Additional sizes will be launched later.

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The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has confirmed that Pirelli will serve as the exclusive tyre supplier for all FIA-certified Formula Regional championships from 2026, aligning the series under a unified technical and sporting framework as it introduces a new generation of race cars.

Already the sole tyre supplier for Formula 1, Formula 2, and Formula 3, Pirelli’s expanded remit underscores its pivotal role across the FIA’s global single-seater development ladder. The Italian tyre manufacturer will also provide tyres for both the Formula Regional and the inaugural Formula 4 World Cups at the 2025 Macau Grand Prix, further cementing its presence in top-tier motorsport events.

“We are delighted to have been appointed sole tyre supplier for the FIA-certified Formula Regional championships,” said Mario Isola, Pirelli’s Motorsport Director. “It is a significant endorsement of the worth of our technology, and the quality and reliability of our tyres... It recognises our ability to deliver specific products for every level of driver development.”

Pirelli has supplied Formula Regional tyres since the series debut in 2019. The competition evolved into the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) following a merger with Formula Renault in 2021. From 2026, the championship will see a significant transformation with the introduction of a new car featuring bespoke 15-inch tyres developed by Pirelli to ensure improved performance and parity across all global championships.

“With Pirelli on board as an exclusive tyre partner, Formula Regional is set to thrive and deliver incredible racing and greater sporting parity across our different championships so that we offer young drivers an equal opportunity to show their skill,” said FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. “This next phase... reflects our ambition to create a truly modern, competitive, and accessible platform for developing drivers.”

At the 2025 Macau Grand Prix, Pirelli will also supply tyres to the FIA GT World Cup, continuing a long-standing relationship with the prestigious street circuit event, which has served as a proving ground for numerous future Formula 1 stars.

Pirelli’s commitment to developing tailored products for all levels of single-seater racing reinforces its role as a key stakeholder in shaping the future of global motorsport.

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Michelin North America has introduced its latest commercial all-weather tyre, the Agilis CrossClimate 2, designed to meet the increasing demands of working fleets facing rising maintenance costs and challenging road conditions.

The new tyre aims to deliver enhanced reliability, durability, and all-season performance for commercial light trucks, which are essential to keeping goods and services moving across the country. Michelin said it will launch the tyre in 18 sizes, covering more than 90% of the market segment, with additional sizes to follow in October.

“Michelin recognises the dedication of the workforce that keeps life in motion, and we’ve created a tyre that works just as hard,” said Pierluigi Cumo, Vice President of B2B Marketing at Michelin North America, Inc. “To deliver every job on schedule, customers need a tyre forged with the same strength and resolve as the dedicated individuals whose drive fuels the community they serve. They are the few who drive the many.”

The Agilis CrossClimate 2 features Michelin’s proprietary CurbGard technology, which offers 70 percent more sidewall rubber than the FirestoneTransforce HT2 to resist curb damage. The tyre also promises up to 35 percent more mileage than the Firestone Transforce HT3 and 35 percent better snow traction compared with the Goodyear Wrangler Workhorse HT, according to Michelin internal testing.

Additional performance comes from Michelin’s SipeLock technology, which includes hundreds of biting edges to enhance traction in difficult conditions. The tyre is backed by a 20 percent longer mileage guarantee and a 60-day satisfaction warranty.

“The Michelin Agilis CrossClimate 2 tyre is the equivalent of rolling up your sleeves and powering through a job. It doesn’t take breaks, and it doesn’t back down,” Cumo said. “From the job site to the highway, this tyre doesn’t flinch. The Agilis CrossClimate 2 tyre approaches every task with the precision and pride of a master craftsman.”

Michelin has positioned the Agilis CrossClimate 2 as a strategic product launch for commercial vehicle operators striving to maximise uptime, manage costs, and enhance driver safety in all weather conditions.

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Kia has selected NEXEN TIRE’s all-season ROADIAN HTX2 tyre as original equipment for its new global pickup truck model, the Tasman. Specifically designed for SUVs and pickup trucks, these tyres will be fitted on vehicles exported to Latin America, offering a balanced combination of on-road comfort and off-road performance.

The ROADIAN HTX2 incorporates NEXEN TIRE's latest proprietary technologies to meet the diverse demands of modern pickup trucks. The tyre features an innovative 3D Kerf pattern that significantly enhances traction and snow performance, along with a specialised heat-dissipating structure engineered for high-load durability at sustained speeds. A specially formulated compound provides exceptional strength, driving stability and wear resistance, specifically optimised for pickup truck dynamics.

To ensure real-world reliability, the ROADIAN HTX2 underwent rigorous testing protocols. The tyre successfully completed cross-validation wear tests conducted in both North America and Korea, demonstrating its long-lasting performance. Additionally, it passed demanding off-road evaluations including navigation through 200 mm-deep surface irregularities and climbing 20 percent inclines, proving its capability in extreme conditions.

These comprehensive tests validate the tyre's exceptional durability and adaptability to Latin America's challenging driving environments, which include mountainous terrain, desert landscapes and winter road conditions. The successful testing results highlight the tyre's strong mileage potential and all-terrain versatility.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, “We are seeing tangible results in the SUV and pickup segment thanks to our continued investment in R&D and world-class product quality. By strengthening strategic partnerships with global carmakers, we will continue to bring premium tyre experiences to customers worldwide.”

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has started the delivery of its ADVAN FLEVA V701 high-performance tyres in size 225/45R19 92W to be used as original equipment for Toyota Motor Corporation’s new Corolla Cross GR SPORT, a sport-oriented version of the compact SUV. The vehicle is set to go on sale in Japan, Europe, Australia and other regions starting August 2025.

The ADVAN FLEVA V701 is designed to deliver sharp handling and driving enjoyment, a core concept of Yokohama’s ADVAN brand. It is engineered for dynamic performance across various driving conditions, including city streets, winding roads and highways. Yokohama has a strong partnership with Toyota’s GR sports car lineup, having previously supplied the ADVAN APEX V601 for the GR Corolla and the ADVAN A052 for the GRMN Yaris.

This initiative aligns with Yokohama Rubber’s medium-term management plan, YX2026 (2024–2026), which focuses on increasing sales of high-value-added tyres. A key part of this strategy involves expanding the use of flagship products like the ADVAN series for performance vehicles and the GEOLANDAR range for SUVs and pickup trucks as original equipment in new cars. The collaboration with Toyota’s GR models underscores Yokohama’s commitment to enhancing its presence in the sporty and premium tyre segments.

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