Firestone, a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone), has launched the Firestone Affinity AS tyre, its latest touring tyre designed for mainstream sedans.

The Firestone Affinity AS tyre features a tread compound that safeguards against uneven and premature wear and comes with a limited warranty of up to 65,000 miles (approx. 104,607 km). It also helps limit road noise and vibration, while the unique tread pattern with diagonal and lateral sipes is designed to improve wet-weather traction and handling. Noise-silencing grooves in the tread pattern further help reduce noise and harshness while enhancing drivability.

An important addition to the Firestone touring collection, the Affinity AS tyre is positioned between the Firestone WeatherGrip and the entry-level all-season tyres. With no winter-specific certification, the Affinity AS tyre adds to Firestone's lineup and gives drivers who value consistent all-season performance another choice. Popular automobiles with rim widths ranging from 15 to 19 inches are designed to fit the Affinity AS tyre. At launch, there are nine fitments available. Throughout 2025, the 28 total fitments will be made available in a phased rollout. The Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus and Chevrolet Impala SEL are among the vehicles whose Affinity AS tyres fit the best.

Brad Robison, Director – Consumer Product Strategy, Bridgestone Americas, said, "Our new touring offering, the Affinity AS tyre, is designed to deliver confident handling, a quiet ride and long wear life for mainstream sedans. With impressive wet-weather grip and longevity, the Affinity AS tyre is built for the drivers who appreciate strong performance and good value.”

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Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has begun supplying its ADVAN dB V552 tyres as original equipment (OE) for SAIC Motor Corporation Limited's new MG7 sports sedan, which was launched in China in January 2026.

The OE tyre is supplied in size 245/40R19 98W.

The ADVAN dB V552 is a premium comfort tyre in Yokohama Rubber's global flagship ADVAN range. The company said the tyre combines low noise levels with strong wet grip and fuel efficiency, aiming to deliver ride comfort alongside stable handling.

The latest MG7 is a coupe-style mid-size sedan powered by a turbocharged engine. The updated model features a three-stage electric rear wing and dual twin exhausts as standard across all variants. SAIC Motor has also enhanced the vehicle's smart cockpit and other intelligent features.

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Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has begun supplying its ADVAN Sport V107 tyres as original equipment (OE) for the updated Mazda MX-5, which went on sale in Japan and Europe in June 2026.

The two-seater lightweight convertible sports car is fitted with 195/50R16 84V ADVAN Sport V107 tyres. Yokohama Rubber said it has supplied original equipment tyres for every generation of the Mazda MX-5 since the model was first introduced.

The ADVAN Sport V107 is an ultra-high-performance tyre within Yokohama's global flagship ADVAN brand. According to the company, the tyre combines handling stability and wet-weather performance with low noise, ride comfort and reduced rolling resistance.

The Mazda MX-5, first launched in 1989, has recorded cumulative global sales of more than 1.26m units, according to Mazda.

As part of the latest update, Mazda has introduced a special edition of the MX-5 alongside a new exterior colour. The company said the changes are intended to enhance driving performance while complying with external noise regulations.

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Hankook Tire has entered a new chapter in its longstanding partnership with Porsche by securing original equipment status for the iconic 911 Carrera. This marks the first time the South Korean manufacturer’s rubber will be mounted on the production line of the legendary rear-engine sports car, following nearly 10 years of supplying Porsche with tyres for other models. The bespoke fitment features a staggered setup, with 235/40 ZR19 tyres up front and wider 295/35 ZR20 tyres at the rear, both carrying a distinct ‘NA2’ sidewall designation that signifies their factory-approved specification.

The engineering effort behind this achievement was substantial, with Hankook’s specialists spending several years refining the product to satisfy Porsche’s exacting standards. The primary technical hurdle centred on harmonising contradictory performance demands – superb dry-road agility and lane-change precision versus reliable wet-weather traction. This balancing act proved especially delicate given the 911’s hallmark weight bias towards the back axle and its rear-wheel-drive configuration, which place unique stresses on tyre behaviour during aggressive cornering and acceleration.

To conquer these challenges, the development team crafted axle-specific tread patterns and geometries, each tailored to the distinct roles of front steering response and rear propulsion. A newly formulated compound was also introduced, incorporating advanced resins, silica and a specialised mixing technique to sustain peak grip across diverse road conditions. The material composition is engineered to maximise surface contact and reactivity, ensuring the tyre remains effective even on rain-slicked pavement where hydroplaning risks are heightened.

Validation of the new tyres involved an exceptionally rigorous testing schedule that stretched across multiple continents and facilities. Unlike conventional programmes that rely on a single location, Hankook deployed the 911 Carrera to Germany’s Papenburg track and Spain’s IDIADA circuit for handling assessments, while high-speed dry performance was scrutinised at Italy’s Nardò ring. Wet-weather tuning took place at Pferdsfeld in Germany and other test sites, with Porsche AG engineers working alongside Hankook’s team throughout the vehicle dynamics calibration process to ensure seamless integration.

Aleix Alcaraz, subjective test driver at Hankook, said, “Our goal was to deliver precise steering precision, stability at high speeds and reliable grip under all conditions. Striking a balance between track performance and everyday usability made this project particularly demanding. Pushing the 911 Carrera to its limits on test tracks like Nardò and applying the lessons learned to the road was both challenging and a special experience.”

Yong Chul Choi, Vice President and Head of the Hankook Europe Technical Center, said, “Becoming original equipment for the Porsche 911 Carrera – one of the world’s most renowned and iconic sports cars – is an extraordinary milestone for Hankook. This premiere is the result of many years of technical development work and reflects our continuously growing expertise in driving dynamics. It marks an important step for our commitment to the super sports car segment.”

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Kumho Tire has secured an original equipment supply agreement for the Škoda Scala, equipping the European model with its ECSTA HS52 tyre in the 205/55R16 and 205/50R17 sizes. This nomination bolsters the South Korean manufacturer’s footprint within the European automotive sector.

Škoda, a Czech-founded automaker established in 1895 and now member of the Volkswagen Group, markets its affordable and utilitarian vehicles across over 100 countries. The Scala, a flagship compact hatchback, has garnered continental acclaim for its roomy cabin, generous cargo space, contemporary aesthetics and advanced driver-assistance features. Its efficient drivetrain and balanced handling cater effectively to both city commutes and extended highway journeys.

The ECSTA HS52 is engineered as a premium tyre prioritising comfort and dynamic performance. Its optimised tread pattern, featuring a solid block layout, ensures stable road adhesion, which diminishes vibrations and acoustic noise while simultaneously elevating ride quality and high-velocity stability.

This latest OE win underscores Kumho Tire’s ascending trajectory in Europe and its bolstered credibility with international automakers. Following a record-setting fiscal performance, the company is aggressively targeting annual revenues of KRW 5.1 trillion (approximately USD 3.41 billion) through enhanced sales, operational efficiencies and an expanded original equipment portfolio, solidifying its global premium brand aspirations.

Insoo Kim, Executive Vice President – OE Sales, Kumho Tire, said, “The selection of the ECSTA HS52 for the Škoda Scala underscores the global competitiveness of Kumho Tire’s technology and product quality. We remain committed to providing innovative, high-performance tyre solutions tailored to evolving mobility needs while strengthening our partnerships with leading global automotive manufacturers.”

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