Continental, one of the leading tyre and automotive technology suppliers, has launched its new fuel-efficient, long haul drive tyre – Conti HDL 3 EP - for the United States Market.

The company stated that the new tyre combines high-structure carbon black and silica technology to deliver a well-balanced mix of rolling resistance and durability. It features a polymer matrix-bound silica compound, which enables up to 10 percent better rolling resistance compared to its predecessor and is SmartWay verified for Class 8 long haul tractor trailers.

Shaun Uys, Head of Continental’s Truck Tyre Replacement Business in the US, said, “The Conti HDL 3 EP was purposefully designed with a fleet’s needs in mind – from being built on 3G Casing for maximum retreadability, to its improved rolling resistance and even wear. This premium long-haul tire was designed to help fleets achieve their lowest overall driving cost.”

The Conti HDL 3 EP comes with groove geometry reduces stone retention, and the tyre offers up to 15 percent improved cut and chip resistance, further extending its lifespan.

It is built on Continental 3G Casing that has a 240-245 mm retread width, and features a state-of-the-art belt package that reduces heat, increases durability, and maximises retreadability. It can also be paired with Continental’s ContiConnect Live digital tyre monitoring system.

The tyre will be available for the replacement market in size 295/75R22.5 in load range G, and additional sizes to be introduced by Q1 2025. 

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PT Bridgestone Tire Indonesia (Bridgestone Indonesia), a subsidiary of Japan’s Bridgestone Corporation, marked its golden anniversary with a formal ceremony in Jakarta on 24 August. The event served as a platform to acknowledge the critical role played by various partners and stakeholders in the company’s five-decade journey within the nation.

The commemorative gathering was honoured by the presence of Minister of Trade Budi Santoso, alongside representatives from the Indonesian government, the automotive industry association GAIKINDO and a broad network of clients and business associates. This assembly of industry leaders underscored the strong collaborative ecosystem that has been fundamental to the company's operations.

Bridgestone’s operational history in Indonesia dates back to 1976 with the establishment of its first production facility in Bekasi. The subsequent opening of a second plant in Karawang in 1999, which includes a global-standard proving ground, significantly enhanced production capacity and technical capabilities to meet rising domestic and regional demand. Presently, the company serves diverse market segments, including passenger, commercial and specialty tyres, by integrating global manufacturing standards with local market insights.

Looking ahead, Bridgestone Indonesia is intensifying its commitment to advanced technologies and sustainable mobility, exemplified by the 2026 local supply of B-Silent tyres for a global automaker’s electric vehicles. Building on its robust local research, design and manufacturing foundation, the company aims to further leverage its global network to deliver safer and more efficient solutions. As a key market for Bridgestone Corporation, which operates in over 150 countries, Indonesia remains central to the company’s regional strategy, with a steadfast focus on fostering long-term value for the nation's economy and automotive sector.

Budi Santoso, Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia, said, "We extend our appreciation and congratulations on Bridgestone's 50th anniversary in Indonesia. We are highly receptive to future investment and collaboration opportunities involving Indonesian investors and Bridgestone. The Government of Indonesia remains open to receiving ongoing input and engaging in strategic discussions aimed at strengthening domestic market dynamics, maximising global export opportunities and advancing investment policy proposals.”

Nobuyuki Tamura, Member of the Board, Representative Executive Officer, EAST CEO, Bridgestone Corporation, said, "As Bridgestone Indonesia celebrates its 50th anniversary, we are proud of the strong foundation built together with our employees, customers and partners over the past five decades and deeply grateful to all of our stakeholders for their longstanding trust and support. Indonesia is both an important market and a strategic manufacturing and export base within Bridgestone's global network. Guided by our unchanging Mission, 'Serving Society with Superior Quality’, we remain committed to growing together with Indonesia and creating greater value for customers and society in the decades ahead."

Mukiat Sutikno, Managing Director, Bridgestone Indonesia, said, "Over the past five decades, Bridgestone Indonesia has grown alongside the country's automotive industry, supported by the trust of our customers, partners and communities. As we look ahead, we will build on this strong foundation by deepening our local capabilities, responding to the evolving needs of the market and delivering solutions that make mobility safer, more efficient and more sustainable. Our commitment to Indonesia remains as strong as ever, and we look forward to continuing this journey together with our stakeholders.”

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has initiated the full-scale deployment of a proprietary generative artificial intelligence system, which became operational in August 2026. This advanced platform employs Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) technology to sift through the company’s extensive internal repository of technical documentation. The primary objective is to furnish development engineers with rapid and precise access to critical information, thereby streamlining decision-making processes in areas such as material innovation and tyre design.

This system represents a significant expansion of Yokohama Rubber’s existing HAICoLab AI framework, first established in October 2020. While the company had previously introduced AI tools for predicting rubber properties, generating novel compounds and assisting mould design, a persistent challenge remained in efficiently navigating the vast collection of regulatory texts, manuals, reports and case studies that constitute essential domain knowledge. The new generative AI system was developed specifically to address this gap, enabling swift retrieval of pertinent data aligned with specific development goals.

In practice, engineers pose questions tailored to their project’s specific context and the AI searches for the most relevant information from internal records to formulate its answers. To further refine accuracy, an integrated AI agent interprets the user’s intent and autonomously cycles through planning, information retrieval and evaluation steps. Moreover, the system provides direct links to the original source documents, allowing staff to confirm the validity of the AI-generated responses and incorporate them into their analytical and strategic work. This functionality effectively integrates accumulated technical knowledge into the HAICoLab-driven development environment.

Concurrent with these technological advancements, Yokohama Rubber is actively cultivating digital transformation personnel proficient in utilising the HAICoLab platform. The company remains committed to enhancing the system’s capabilities and leveraging its internal data and intellectual assets to foster the creation of innovative products, processes and services moving forward.

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Linglong Tire has expanded its European summer tyre portfolio for light commercial vehicles with two new offerings under its subsidiary brands, Leao Tire and Crosswind Tire. Following the spring introduction of the Linglong Dura Master Van, the company has now launched the Crosswind Dura Peak Van and the Leao Nova-Force Van 2. This marks Crosswind's first entry into the summer van tyre segment, while the Nova-Force Van 2 succeeds its well-regarded predecessor.

Engineered specifically for vans, motorhomes and light trucks, both tyres emphasise durability, fuel efficiency and enhanced driving performance. Their new construction integrates optimised tread patterns and wider footprints to reduce wear and extend mileage. An innovative silica-based compound lowers rolling resistance for significant cost savings, a critical factor for commercial operators. The reinforced carcass supports heavy loads, while advanced sipe technology, combined with the tread compound, shortens wet braking distances and improves handling on both wet and dry surfaces.

Manufactured exclusively at Linglong's advanced facility in Zrenjanin, Serbia, each tyre line is available in 29 sizes ranging from 12 to 17 inches, with orders now being accepted. Development took place at the European Development Center in Hannover, with validation testing conducted at the Idiada circuit in Spain and the group's Sino Asia proving ground in China. These strategic choices underscore Linglong's commitment to European-quality engineering and rigorous performance standards for its commercial vehicle offerings.

Looking ahead, Linglong plans to complete the van tyre ranges for both Crosswind and Leao Tire with the introduction of new winter and all-season tread patterns scheduled for late 2026. This upcoming expansion will further solidify the group's comprehensive year-round coverage in the light commercial vehicle segment across its brand portfolio.

Wencheng Liu, Head of Product Management, Linglong Tire, said, "With the new Crosswind and Leao van tyres, we are expanding our range in the field of light commercial vehicles and offering a high-performance solution for both businesses and private households. Both tyres combine high mileage with safety and efficiency – crucial factors for cost-conscious families and entrepreneurs who use their vehicles on a daily basis."

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India’s tyre exports rose 16 percent year on year to INR 77 billion in the first quarter of FY2026–27, despite geopolitical uncertainty, supply-chain disruptions and elevated input and logistics costs, according to the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA), citing data from the Ministry of Commerce.

The April–June performance builds on a record export value of INR 273.12 billion in FY2025–26, indicating sustained external demand for Indian-manufactured tyres.

Passenger car radial (PCR) tyres led the growth, with export value increasing 21 percent during the quarter.

Arun Mammen, Chairman of ATMA, said: “The significant growth in tyre exports during the first quarter represents a strong start to the new financial year. It reflects the growing acceptance of Indian-manufactured tyres across discerning global markets and the sustained investments made by the industry in technology, capacity, product development and quality.”

Europe was a key growth driver, with exports to the region rising 25 percent to INR 30.03 billion in the quarter, accounting for nearly 40 percent of total tyre exports. The US remained the single largest export destination, contributing 16 percent of overall export value. Indian tyres are exported to more than 170 countries.

India’s global presence is also supported by tyres supplied as original equipment on vehicles manufactured domestically and exported worldwide.

ATMA said improved market access through trade agreements and supportive export policies could help the industry sustain momentum and strengthen India’s position as a global tyre manufacturing and export hub.

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