Bridgestone is planning to cut jobs at two factories in northern Spain in response to a negative shift in the European market and the growth of non-European goods.

According to a Reuters report quoting local union UGT, the business intends to lay off 546 workers at two plants in Cantabria and the Basque Country in northern Spain that produce tyres for tractors, other farm vehicles, buses and trucks. The report adds that UGT and other unions have declared their intention to call for a strike at the two facilities, but they have not given any specifics.

The company's local unit, Bridgestone Hispania, employs 2,800 people at the moment, according to UGT. Bridgestone stated that it has to modify its production capacity in light of the current market conditions, which are marked by inflation, uncertainty and regulatory changes, says the report.

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TyreSafe, UK’s leading tyre safety charity, has added Fortix to its roster of Commercial Partners, strengthening its long-running efforts to promote safer tyres and wheels throughout the automotive and road transport industries.

Fortix, a Crane Electronics brand, contributes specialist knowledge in torque management built on over 50 years of engineering heritage. Both organisations share a commitment to educating the industry on why the correct torque must be applied when wheels are swapped and why fasteners require proper tightening afterwards.

Wheel installation plays a critical role in keeping vehicles safe, making adherence to manufacturer-specified torque values essential whenever a wheel is taken off and put back on. The tie-up also coincides with the start of October's National Tyre Safety Month, the yearly campaign stressing that well-maintained tyres are fundamental to safety on the roads. During this year's push, Fortix will emphasise torque literacy and the consequences of getting it wrong for a vehicle's safety and performance.

Fortix manufactures digital torque equipment for the aftermarket, serving roadside recovery, fleet servicing and bus depot operations, among others. Its product line features the AMWrench digital torque wrench and the Fortix Tool Connect Bluetooth app, which logs torque readings as they happen. Through the partnership, Fortix will feed its torque management know-how into TyreSafe's broader wheel safety programme, with joint educational and awareness initiatives planned to deepen understanding of safe wheel fitting and correct torque application.

Stuart Lovatt, Chairman, TyreSafe, said, “We are delighted to welcome Fortix as a TyreSafe Commercial Partner. Their longstanding expertise in torque management complements TyreSafe’s work to promote safer tyre and wheel practices. When a tyre or wheel is replaced, there are a number of important considerations beyond the tyre itself. Ensuring that wheels are correctly fitted and that wheel nuts are tightened to the appropriate torque is an important part of the process. This partnership provides a valuable opportunity to raise awareness of that message and share practical information with those involved in maintaining and servicing vehicles. We look forward to working with Fortix and supporting their activity in raising awareness of the importance of correct torque.”

Sean Gynane, Sales Director, Fortix, said, “We’re very pleased to be joining TyreSafe as a Commercial Partner. There is a clear connection between TyreSafe’s work to promote tyre and wheel safety and our own focus on raising awareness of the importance of correct torque. Torque is an important consideration whenever wheels and other critical fasteners are removed and refitted, but it is an area where greater awareness and understanding can make a real difference. We’re looking forward to working with TyreSafe to share information and promote good practice, particularly around the importance of following the correct torque specifications and ensuring wheel nuts are properly secured.”

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Magna Tyres Group has unveiled a revamped Dealer Portal, now accessible to customers across the globe. The enhanced platform consolidates products, information and essential sales and marketing tools into a single online environment, designed to simplify dealers' daily business operations.

Access has been simplified, with the portal login now positioned directly on the company's homepage. This provides quick and straightforward entry to the platform. The renewed portal offers Magna Tyres' extensive product range alongside a broad selection of dealer resources.

These resources include comprehensive product details, technical information and documentation, marketing materials available to order and useful downloads and sales support tools. Initially, stock availability will be visible only to customers supplied directly by Magna Tyres' headquarters. The portal is expected to evolve further, with expanded functionality and accessibility planned over time.

By centralising these tools, Magna Tyres seeks to give customers faster access to relevant information and make ordering and sales as efficient as possible. The initiative reflects the group's ongoing commitment to strengthening customer service and supporting its dealer network with practical, accessible and effective resources.

Arno van der Linden, Sales Director, said, “With the enhanced Dealer Portal, we want to make it easier for our customers to do business with Magna Tyres. Dealers can now find our extensive product portfolio, technical information, marketing support and other important resources in one place.”

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The Indian tyre major adds 22-inch SUV tyres, new truck and bus sizes and racing motorcycle tyres to its second factory

CEAT has expanded manufacturing at its Chennai plant to produce more premium tyres for India, Europe and North America, the Indian tyremaker.

The expansion covers passenger car and sports utility vehicle (SUV), commercial vehicle and two-wheeler tyres.

CEAT said it had developed the capability to make the SportDrive SUV ZR22, making it the first Indian tyre company to produce 22-inch tyres in India. The range, aimed at large-rim, ultra-premium SUVs, uses CEAT CALM technology and is being introduced for sale in India.

The plant also makes the 4SeasonDrive+, an all-season tyre to European standards, designed for changing weather with a focus on wet grip. Another product, the CrossDrive RT, is a rugged-terrain tyre developed for the US off-road market. CEAT said it also suits regular road use and widens its premium SUV range in India.

Arnab Banerjee, managing director and chief executive, said: "The Chennai plant is an important part of CEAT's growth in India and international markets. The expanded capabilities allow us to manufacture increasingly sophisticated products across passenger vehicles, two wheelers and commercial vehicles, while responding to the distinct requirements of customers in markets such as Europe and North America. This investment strengthens our ability to compete in premium segments with products developed and manufactured in India."

Truck and bus tyres

The plant can now make seven advanced truck and bus radial (TBR) sizes for some of the fastest-growing premium segments in Europe and North America. CEAT said fleets now want lower fuel consumption, better ride comfort and handling, and readiness for electric vehicles, as well as durability and mileage.

The company said its new wide-base tyres can replace the traditional two-tyre arrangement on each wheel. That makes vehicles lighter, improves fuel efficiency and frees capacity to carry more load. The low-profile sizes are aimed at modern tractors, regional haulage, trailers and urban distribution fleets.

The plant is also scaling up production of light truck steel radial tyres in 15-inch, 16-inch and 17.5-inch sizes. CEAT said demand is rising in India and overseas as manufacturers introduce new light trucks and buses.

Two-wheeler range

In motorcycles, CEAT's SportRad Racing Slick range has been developed for racing and tested on demanding tracks by expert riders. The SportRad ST is a sport-touring range for motorcycles above 650cc, designed for long-distance riding, high-speed stability and cornering grip.

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Nova Motorsport has secured a multi-year agreement to become the Official Tyre Partner of the PartsForCars.ie Irish Rallycross Championship (IRX). The deal, struck with championship promoter Mondello Park, also brings in leading Irish motorsport supplier Euro M-Sport as a third partner. Under the arrangement, Nova Motorsport will serve as the exclusive tyre supplier to three headline classes from Rounds 3 and 4 of the 2026/27 season onward.

The affected categories are Supercar, Super Buggies and FIA Cross Car. Euro M-Sport will be present at every IRX event to supply and fit Nova Motorsport tyres for all competitors in these classes, ensuring consistent product availability and expert trackside assistance throughout the campaign. The collaboration links Ireland’s foremost rallycross promoter with a tyre brand whose lineage is deeply rooted in the discipline.

Nova Motorsport manufactures the former Avon Motorsport range under licence and owns the assets and intellectual property previously employed to produce Cooper Tires competition products. This gives the brand direct continuity with tyres that have long dominated rallycross, from national events to the FIA World Rallycross Championship. In the Supercar class, IRX competitors will use the Nova ACB11 in 225/640-17 fitment, with the Nova RALLYCROSS WET 210/635R17 available for wet conditions.

The ACB11 stands as the most successful rallycross tyre ever produced, with 10 FIA World Rallycross Championship titles, over 20 consecutive European crowns and numerous national honours. Relaunched in 2024, it is manufactured in Portugal using the original moulds, compound and construction, allowing IRX drivers to race on the same specification that has defined the sport’s elite level. Super Buggies and FIA Cross Car will run the all-new Nova ZZXC, revealed in August 2026 and developed specifically for Cross Car competition.

The ZZXC is Nova Motorsport’s first clean-sheet design. Its asymmetric rear tread fits either side of the car, reducing spare requirements, while a larger-block outer shoulder boosts durability and a more open inner pattern generates traction. Tyre pressure adjustments alter the rear profile for dry, wet or muddy conditions. Benchmark testing with three-time FIA European Cross Car Champion David Méat confirmed strong start-line traction, lateral grip and durability. The partnership also includes branding on every car in the exclusive categories, winner’s caps, Mondello Park signage, digital promotion and website features.

Roddy Greene, Managing Director, Mondello Park, said, “We are excited to have Nova Motorsport as our Tyre Partner as we enter a new era in the promotion of the Irish Rallycross Championship. Although Nova Motorsport is a relatively new company, it comes with a huge heritage, particularly in rallycross. Rallycross demands specialist tyres, so bringing on board a company as synonymous with rallycross as Nova Motorsport was an easy decision. We look forward to working with Nova as we continue to promote rallycross within Irish Motorsport.”

Matthew Vincent, Senior Product Category Manager, Nova Motorsport, said, “Nova Motorsport is proud to become Official Tyre Partner of the Irish Rallycross Championship. Irish rallycross has a long history and a passionate following, and under Mondello Park’s promotion, the IRX is a championship with real momentum. This agreement reinforces our commitment to rallycross at every level of the sport and gives us the ideal platform to bring both the ACB11 and the all-new ZZXC to a new group of competitors. The ACB11 needs little introduction. It is the most successful rallycross tyre ever made, and IRX Supercar drivers will race on exactly the construction and compound that has won world championships. The ZZXC is the first product we have created from a clean sheet, developed specifically for Cross Car, so it is fitting that the Super Buggies and FIA Cross Car classes will be among the first to compete on it. With Euro M-Sport delivering trackside supply and fitting at every round, competitors can be confident of consistent product and the highest level of support throughout the season.”

Mick McCullagh, Director, Euro M-Sport, said, “Rallycross, with the help of Mondello Park, has gone from strength to strength and is now one of the most exciting spectacles in Irish Motorsport. Euro M-Sport has a growing professional track record across multi-discipline motorsports, such as BSB, WEC, Motorsport Ireland Stages Events and contractual work with OEM Manufacturers. We are now delighted to partner with Nova Motorsport and the IRX to provide a world-class tyre and fitting service and help continue the growth of Rallycross in Ireland.”

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