Donington Park witnessed a spectacular gathering of truck and racing enthusiasts at this year’s Convoy in the Park event, where Giti Tire emerged as the focal point of excitement. With over 750 attendees from across Europe, the event showcased a captivating display of truck races, highlighted by the debut of legendary Honda TT racer John McGuinness MBE in the world of truck racing.

The star-studded event saw John McGuinness, renowned for his achievements in the world of motorcycle racing, take the wheel in his first-ever truck races. Behind the Giti-branded Team Oliver truck, McGuinness participated in all four races of The International Truck Prix (ITP). Despite challenging wet conditions, he impressively held his own in front of a massive crowd of more than 100,000 fans.

A notable figure in the truck racing scene, Martin Gibson, Giti Tire’s Manager of the EU Testing Centre and Motorsport UK, returned to the ITP races. He drove the Giti MAN TGX truck, continuing his success from the previous year with an impressive performance that included three podium finishes, securing second and third place.

Simultaneously, the fourth round of the British Truck Racing Championship (BTRC) captivated the audience with five exhilarating races. The Giti MAN TGX, driven by Michael Oliver, and the VOLVO VNL truck, skillfully piloted by Stuart Oliver, stood out on the track adorned in vibrant Giti Tyre Motorsport colours.

Notably, Giti Tire is the Official Partner and Exclusive Tyre Supplier to the BTRC. All competing trucks are equipped with Giti Race-Tuned v1 global competition truck tyres in size 315/70R22.5. The superior quality of these tyres was on full display as the Giti MAN TGX recorded its fastest lap times of the weekend during the final race, showcasing their durability and performance.

McGuinness said of his experience: “It’s certainly very different to racing a motorbike, but I have had great support from Team Oliver and Giti Tire, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Thanks to everyone who came out to watch the team compete.” 

Convoy in the Park drew large crowds of truck and racing aficionados. The event treated attendees to a mesmerising array of truck displays, manufacturer exhibits, stunt shows, live music, and entertainment for children, creating a truly unforgettable experience.

Manish Rathor, Product Marketing & Technical Service Manager for Giti Tire MEA (FZCO), Dubai, said: “We would like to express our sincere gratitude and thanks to the entyre team of Giti UK and Giti EU for inviting the Middle East team to experience the largest truck racing event in the UK. 

“Middle Eastern customers and officials were all thrilled after seeing the excellent performance of Giti truck racing tyres on the circuit and wish to thank the entyre team for the hospitality and organising such a great event.” 

“What a fantastic weekend, the hospitality from Giti was second-to-none and the racing was so exciting for the family, they can’t wait for next year,” said Scott Butler, Depot Manager at Sol Tyres. 

Jake Whitwell, Business Development Manager at Dexel, added: “What a great event and very well represented by Giti Tire. My Customers all left with a smile on their faces from a truly fantastic day, including the racing of course.” 

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Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. said it has begun supplying its BluEarth-Es ES32 tyres as original equipment to Suzuki Motor Corporation for the Wagon R mini-vehicle, following the model’s launch in Japan in December 2025 after a minor update.

The Wagon R is fitted with 165/55R15 75V tyres.

BluEarth-Es ES32 is a standard tyre under the BluEarth YOKOHAMA global tyre brand, developed around the concept of being “environmentally, human, and socially friendly”. The tyre combines fuel efficiency with extended service life by reducing uneven wear. For the Wagon R, Yokohama Rubber said the tyres use tread patterns and compounds designed to deliver both lower rolling resistance and improved wear resistance.

Suzuki’s updated Wagon R incorporates additional safety features, including the Dual Sensor Brake Support II collision-mitigation braking system. The vehicle is also designed to offer a quiet and comfortable ride, stable steering and a refined exterior.

Yokohama Rubber said it continues to develop tyres using its BluEarth technology, with a growing number of these products being factory-fitted on petrol-powered vehicles, hybrid models and electric vehicles across a range of segments.

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Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. said it has begun supplying its ADVAN Sport ZPS tyres as original equipment to Toyota Motor Corporation for the new GR Yaris, following the model’s launch in the Middle East in December 2025.

The tyre supplied is sized 225/40RF18 88Y.

ADVAN Sport ZPS is derived from the ADVAN Sport, the high-performance tyre in Yokohama Rubber’s global flagship ADVAN brand. It is a run-flat tyre with reinforced sidewalls designed to support the vehicle even in a zero-pressure condition, such as after a puncture. The company said the tyre balances ultra-high-speed handling with wet performance, quietness and comfort.

Yokohama Rubber tyres are already fitted to several models in Toyota’s GR sports car range. In recent years, the company has supplied ADVAN APEX V601 tyres for the GR Corolla and ADVAN FLEVA V701 tyres for the Corolla Cross GR Sport.

The supply forms part of Yokohama Rubber’s three-year medium-term management plan, Yokohama Transformation 2026, covering 2024 to 2026. Under the plan, the consumer tyre business is seeking to increase the proportion of high value-added products, with a focus on expanding original equipment supply of ADVAN tyres and GEOLANDAR tyres for SUVs and pick-up trucks.

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has been selected by Toyota to provide its ADVAN V61 tyres as original equipment for the newly launched global hybrid SUV, the RAV4. The tyres, fitted specifically to the Z and ADVENTURE trim levels, come in the sizes 235/65R17 and 235/60R18. This partnership follows the worldwide introduction of the ADVAN V61 in March 2025, a premium summer tyre designed for sport utility vehicles that is now available in all markets except North America.

As part of Yokohama’s flagship ADVAN line, the V61 is engineered to deliver the brand’s signature high performance. It achieves a careful balance between fuel efficiency, stable handling and reduced noise, aiming to provide comfort for both daily urban use and extended journeys in heavier SUVs. The model is already supplied as original equipment on several premium vehicles and is offered in a broad selection of sizes for the aftermarket.

The development of these tyres was supported by Yokohama Rubber’s proprietary HAICoLab, an artificial intelligence framework. This system combines human innovation with the extensive data-processing power of AI to accelerate discovery and foster digital advancements in tyre technology.

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NEXEN TIRE is expanding its original equipment presence in the strategic Chinese electric vehicle market by becoming a tyre supplier for Beijing Hyundai's newly launched ELEXIO, an electric SUV developed specifically for China. This vehicle is the first electric-dedicated model from Beijing Hyundai, utilising the Hyundai Motor Group's Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP). For this application, NEXEN TIRE is providing two of its ultra-high-performance tyre models.

The supplied tyres include the N’FERA Supreme S, a flagship all-season tyre designed for both electric and internal combustion engine vehicles. It incorporates an AI-optimised tread pattern to reduce noise and a structure that improves load distribution, enhancing stability for heavier EVs and SUVs. Technologies to maintain performance over time and an aerodynamic sidewall for better energy efficiency are also key features. The second model, the N’FERA Primus QX EV, is a summer tyre engineered specifically for electric vehicles. Its design focuses on improving cornering stability, lateral grip and water evacuation, with a reinforced shoulder and tie-bar technology to provide responsive handling.

This supply agreement marks a significant step in NEXEN TIRE's strategy to grow its original equipment brand in China, a critical market leading global EV adoption. The company has built a strong foundation as a supplier to global automakers since 2012, including providing tyres for other Hyundai and Kia electric models. As original equipment products hold considerable prestige in China, this partnership with Hyundai is anticipated to substantially boost NEXEN TIRE's brand recognition and influence within the local automotive industry.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, “Supplying OE tyres for the ELEXIO marks an important milestone in demonstrating our electrification capabilities in the strategically important Chinese market. We will continue to expand our global OE partnerships by delivering products optimized for both EVs and ICE vehicles, as well as for other mobility solutions.”

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