Team MRF Tyres has become the 2023 FIA European Rally Champions, achieving a remarkable victory with two rounds left in the eight-round 2023 FIA ERC Championship.
This victory solidifies MRF Tyres’ position in the world of rally championships, outperforming other well-known global tyre companies. The team’s success spans different terrains, excelling on both gravel and asphalt surfaces.
In a hard-fought season, Team MRF successfully defended its 2022 team championship title, competing against established multinational rally tyre manufacturers. After achieving dominance with nine wins in the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championships, MRF Tyres aimed higher by entering the top-tier European competition, joining the FIA ERC in 2020. Through focused product development and strategic efforts, MRF Tyres quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with, clinching stages, rallies, and championships. This second ERC championship win highlights the exceptional quality, performance, and durability of MRF Tyres.
Entering the 2023 FIA ERC season with high expectations following their 2022 championship win, Team MRF Tyres encountered tough competition. The season began strongly with a podium finish in the Rally Islas Canarias by Efrén Llarena and Sara Fernandez. Martins Sesks with Renars Francis dominated the fast gravel stages of Rally Liepaja and Rally Poland, showcasing the precision and reliability of the MRF tyres.
Arun Mammen, Vice-Chairman & Managing Director, MRF Ltd,” said, “I am extremely proud of the success achieved by MRF Tyres in the 2023 FIA European Rally Championship. As India’s leading tyre manufacturer, we looked to take India to the world stage and compete in the toughest rally competitions in the world. We knew it would take dedication and determination to succeed, and to do it once was a challenge, to back up that success in 2023 proves the talent and skill of the entire team at MRF Tyres. I would like to extend my congratulations to the team, and I look forward to our future challenges.”
Martins Sesks, driver of Team MRF Tyres, said, “We came into this year knowing that it would be a challenge. In the FIA European Rally Championship, you have to earn every result, as the quality of the teams and the drivers is very high. I have been proud to represent MRF Tyres in the Championship, and standing on the top step of the podium after winning at home in Latvia and Poland, has made me extremely proud. I would like to thank and I would also congratulate everyone at MRF Tyres for this Championship success.”
With consecutive victories, Team MRF Tyres positioned themselves favourably for the Team’sTeam’s Championship, further strengthened by another podium in the first Royal Rally of Scandinavia. The team secured vital Powerstage points in the Rally di Roma Capitale, solidifying their goal of a second Team’sTeam’s Championship. Notably, the MRF Tyres Dealer Team also achieved podiums and stage wins.
Having secured two wins and two podiums in six rallies, Team MRF Tyres has demonstrated its undeniable dominance throughout the year.
NEXEN TIRE Expands Kia Seltos OE Tyre Supply To North America And Europe
- By TT News
- May 29, 2026
NEXEN TIRE has expanded its original equipment tyre supply for the Kia all-new Seltos into North America and Europe, following an earlier rollout for the Korean market in March with the N’PRIZ S and N’FERA AU7.
For North America, the company provides the N’PRIZ S in a 16-inch fitment for United States and Canada. This tyre is designed for electric, hybrid and combustion vehicles, emphasising mileage performance and ride comfort. In Europe, including Germany, France and the Netherlands, NEXEN TIRE supplies summer tyres across multiple sizes. The N’FERA Primus comes in 16- and 18-inch fitments, offering high-speed stability and wet braking, while the 19-inch N’FERA Sport delivers ultra-high-performance capability validated in European tyre tests.
This regional strategy highlights NEXEN TIRE’s ability to tailor OE solutions for a single vehicle model across different markets. The manufacturer continues to grow its global OE portfolio, covering mass-market SUVs to premium brands.
John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, "This OE supply for the all-new Seltos goes beyond simply increasing volume – it demonstrates NEXEN TIRE's ability to deliver products tailored to the specific road conditions and consumer needs of each market. We will continue to strengthen partnerships with global automakers and expand our market-optimised OE supply going forward."
Yokohama’s Sporty ADVAN FLEVA V701 Tyres Chosen As OE For Honda’s New Super-ONE EV
- By TT News
- May 28, 2026
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has confirmed the supply of its ADVAN FLEVA V701 tyres as original equipment for Honda Motor Co., Ltd.’s new compact electric vehicle. The Super-ONE, launched in Japan in May 2026 with a gradual rollout planned for United Kingdom and several Asian markets, uses the tyre in size 185/55R15 82V.
Engineered under the ADVAN brand’s philosophy of delivering driving enjoyment, the sporty high-performance tyre provides sharp handling across city streets, winding roads and highways. The EV is marketed under different names regionally, including Super-ONE in Japan and Asia & Oceania, Honda Super-ONE in select Asia & Oceania countries and Super-N in UK.
Honda developed the Super-ONE to combine everyday usability and environmental performance with a unique fun-to-drive character. By engaging all driver senses through sporty handling only a small EV can offer, the model aims to deliver an exciting and uplifting driving experience.
Yokohama Rubber Supplies OE Tyres For Subaru Trailseeker BEV
- By TT News
- May 26, 2026
Yokohama Rubber has begun supplying its ADVAN V61 and GEOLANDAR X-CV tyres as original equipment for the new Trailseeker battery electric sport utility vehicle developed by Subaru Corporation.
The vehicle, known as the E-Outback in Europe, was first unveiled in the United States in April 2025.
Tyres supplied for the Japanese and European markets are ADVAN V61 in size 235/60R18 103H, while North American models are fitted with GEOLANDAR X-CV tyres in size 235/50R20 100V.
The ADVAN V61 is a summer SUV tyre within Yokohama Rubber’s flagship ADVAN range. According to the company, it combines fuel and energy efficiency with handling stability and low noise levels.
The GEOLANDAR X-CV is a highway terrain tyre that meets the M+S (mud and snow) standard. Yokohama Rubber said the tyre was designed to deliver high-speed performance and drivability while balancing safety, comfort, durability and fuel efficiency.
Both tyre models supplied for the Trailseeker carry Yokohama Rubber’s proprietary “E+” mark on the sidewall, indicating technologies intended to address the requirements of electrified vehicles, including durability, quietness and energy efficiency.
Yokohama Rubber said the tyres were developed using HAICoLab, its artificial intelligence-based development framework designed to combine human input with data-driven analysis.
The Trailseeker is Subaru’s new battery electric SUV designed to combine BEV driving performance with utility for both daily and recreational use.
- Yokohama Rubber
- Yokohama GEOLANDAR X-CV
- Yokohama ADVAN V61
- Mazda Motor Corporation
- MAZDA CX-5
- Original Equipment
Yokohama Rubber Supplies Two Tyre Lines As OE On New Mazda CX-5 Across Global Markets
- By TT News
- May 26, 2026
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., has been selected to supply two distinct tyre models as original equipment for Mazda Motor Corporation’s new crossover SUV, the MAZDA CX-5. The vehicle launched in North America in March 2026. Yokohama’s GEOLANDAR X-CV tyres, in size 225/65R17 102H, are designated for the North American market, while the ADVAN V61 tyres are fitted on CX-5 units sold in Japan, Europe and other regions.
The GEOLANDAR X-CV is a next-generation highway terrain tyre that meets mud and snow standards, emphasising high-speed performance and drivability alongside safety, comfort, durability and fuel efficiency. Development relied on Yokohama Rubber’s proprietary HAICoLab, an artificial intelligence framework that merges human creativity with massive data processing to drive digital innovation and new discoveries.
The ADVAN V61, part of Yokohama’s flagship ADVAN range for premium SUVs, delivers high-level balance in fuel efficiency, handling stability and quietness. Suited for both city driving and long-distance touring in heavy SUVs, this tyre is already original equipment on many premium models. Yokohama began offering a broad range of replacement-market sizes for the ADVAN V61 in 2025.
As Mazda’s current best-selling model, the third-generation MAZDA CX-5 evolves the Soul of Motion design and Jinba-Ittai driving experience. Enhancements to interior space, usability, ride comfort and quietness support a comfortable drive across diverse conditions, reinforcing the vehicle’s emotional and tactile appeal.
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