Linglong Tire launched the Grip Master Winter, a new winter tyre for compact, medium and luxury-class vehicles. It targets the high and ultra-high-performance segments.   

The Grip Master Winter succeeds the Linglong Green-Max Winter UHP and Green-Max Winter HP models, aiming to improve their performance in all aspects. Key improvements include:   

• Enhanced Wet and Dry Performance: The new directional V-shaped tread pattern and optimised block design provide better water evacuation and stability, improving handling and shorter braking distances on wet and dry surfaces.   
• Optimised Snow Performance: While already strong with the previous models, the Grip Master Winter's snow performance has been further refined using a newly developed polymer-silica composite compound and 3D sipes.   
• Increased Mileage: The new material mix combines full silica and natural resins, reducing tyre wear while maintaining braking effectiveness, resulting in increased mileage.
• Reduced Noise Emissions: The optimised block arrangement minimises noise generation compared to the previous models.
• Improved Rolling Resistance: The Grip Master Winter is fuel-efficient due to its optimised rolling resistance.

"The key main requirements for the Grip Master Winter were to elevate wet performance and dry handling characteristics, all while improving environmental properties compared to its predecessors," said Andreas Krause, Director of R&D at Linglong Germany GmbH. "Developing such a balanced winter tyre was a challenge, especially considering the need for increased mileage and further optimised rolling resistance. We believe the Grip Master Winter is Linglong Tire's best and most powerful winter tyre yet."   

Development and Production:

The Grip Master Winter was primarily developed by Linglong's European development centre in Hanover. Testing was conducted at European test tracks in Spain and Finland, as well as at Linglong's Sino-Asia test site in China. The tire is exclusively produced at Linglong Tire's newest factory in Zrenjanin, Serbia.   

Availability and Future Plans:

The Grip Master Winter is currently available in 70 sizes, ranging from 14 to 20 inches, with varying cross-sections and tread widths. An additional 30 sizes are planned for launch next year. Linglong also intends to offer the Grip Master Winter for original equipment with select automakers.   

This launch expands the Linglong Master family, including summer tyres (Sport Master, Sport Master e, and Comfort Master), the Grip Master C/S SUV tyre, and the Grip Master 4S all-season tyre. 

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has initiated original equipment supply of its GEOLANDAR X-CV tyres for Subaru’s new Uncharted (US model) SUV-type battery electric vehicle (BEV), which was launched in North America in December 2025. The specified tyre size for this application is 235/50R20 100V.

The GEOLANDAR X-CV is engineered as a modern highway terrain tyre with M+S certification, prioritising responsive drivability and high-speed capability. Its design seeks an integrated balance of safety, comfort, durability and fuel efficiency. Tailored for electrified vehicles, these tyres bear Yokohama’s proprietary ‘E+’ sidewall engraving, signifying enhanced attributes in durability, quietness and energy conservation. This development was facilitated by the company’s HAICoLab framework, an AI-driven platform that combines human creativity with advanced data processing to accelerate digital innovation.

This supply agreement aligns with the strategic goals outlined in Yokohama Transformation 2026, the company’s medium-term management plan running through 2026. A core initiative of this strategy is to increase the proportion of high-value-added tyre sales by expanding original equipment placement for key global brands. This includes actively promoting both the flagship ADVAN line and the GEOLANDAR series for SUVs and pickup trucks on new vehicles worldwide.

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NEXEN TIRE has been selected to supply original equipment tyres for the Renault FILANTE, a crossover model from Renault Korea that merges sedan comfort with SUV practicality. The chosen tyre is the ROADIAN GTX, an all-season model engineered for SUVs and crossover utility vehicles, fitted in a 19-inch specification. Its zigzag tread pattern across a wide contact patch promotes even pressure distribution for stable handling, while a precision load distribution structure boosts road grip. Additionally, a low noise optimised block arrangement delivers the quiet ride that electrified vehicles require.

Hybrid vehicles like the FILANTE, which features Renault Korea’s latest hybrid powertrain, place high technical demands on tyres due to the combined use of an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. NEXEN TIRE’s selection proves its ability to provide solutions for various powertrain types. The supply covers not only domestic Korean sales but also export models heading to Latin America and the Middle East.

This collaboration builds on a growing partnership with Renault Korea, following OE fitment for the Grand Koleos midsize SUV launched in 2024. Since entering the overseas OE market in 2012, NEXEN TIRE has become a key supplier to global automakers. From 2016 onward, the company has continued to demonstrate its technological strengths by partnering with numerous premium global brands across Europe and beyond.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, "We are continuously advancing our tyre technology to keep pace with the next generation of mobility, where electrification and artificial intelligence are converging. We will further strengthen our strategic partnerships with global automakers to solidify our presence in international markets and enhance the company's overall value."

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Yokohama Rubber  has begun supplying its Geolandar X-CV tyres as original equipment for Toyota Motor Corporation’s new battery electric C-HR SUV, launched in North America this month.

The vehicle is being fitted with 235/50R20 100V size tyres. Part of a new generation of highway terrain equipment, the Geolandar X-CV is designed to balance high-speed performance and drivability with safety, comfort and fuel efficiency.

The tyres supplied for the C-HR feature Yokohama’s "E+" mark, indicating technology tailored to the specific requirements of electrified vehicles, such as increased durability and reduced road noise.

Development was conducted through HAICoLab, the company’s proprietary artificial intelligence framework. The system aims to merge human creativity with data processing to accelerate digital innovation in tire design.

The Geolandar X-CV is already used across several models in Toyota’s electric lineup, including the Lexus RZ and the bZ in North America.

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Yokohama Rubber has commenced the supply of its ADVAN V61 tyres as original equipment for the new WILDLANDER SUV launched by GAC Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. in China in November 2025. The tyres, sized 235/60R18 103H, are fitted to both gasoline and hybrid versions of the model.

This tyre model represents a premium summer option within Yokohama’s flagship ADVAN family and is specifically designed to meet the demands of larger SUVs. It aims to deliver the refined driving experience associated with the brand while ensuring a strong equilibrium between energy consumption, responsive handling and a quiet cabin environment. The design supports both everyday city commuting and extended highway journeys. A distinct ‘E+’ marking on the tyre’s sidewall signifies the integration of technology tailored for electrified vehicles, such as the hybrid version of the WILDLANDER. Beyond its role as factory equipment, this particular size has been part of a wider replacement market availability since 2025, building on the model's established presence as original equipment on numerous premium SUVs.

The engineering behind the ADVAN V61 was supported by Yokohama’s HAICoLab (Humans and AI ColLaborate), a development concept that merges human creativity with the extensive analytical power of artificial intelligence (AI). This framework facilitates innovation by combining human intuition with rapid data processing to refine product characteristics.

The latest WILDLANDER itself has been positioned as an innovative smart SUV, undergoing significant updates to its powertrain, interior technology and styling. It features an efficient smart hybrid engine and a next-generation smart cockpit designed specifically for Chinese consumers, all wrapped in a more pronounced exterior design. The selection of the ADVAN V61 tyres aligns with these advancements, contributing to the vehicle's overall performance profile.

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