Continental has reinforced its commitment to sustainable manufacturing with its tyre plant in Sarreguemines, France, earning the globally recognised International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS sustainability certification. This certification validates the plant’s adherence to stringent sustainability standards, particularly in the use of renewable and recycled raw materials, while ensuring full traceability throughout the production process.

Compliance with and documentation of certain procedures for the mass balance of raw materials served as the foundation for the certification. In current systems and processes, the mass balancing method blends recycled, renewable, and fossil raw resources. Since the amounts consumed are monitored along the value chain, they can always be distributed appropriately. Continental is able to progressively raise the percentage of more environmentally friendly materials in its products by using the mass balancing technique. It guarantees correct reporting of the balance of certified more sustainable resources.

The Continental tyre mill in Sarreguemines, France, was established in 1964 and has over 1,300 employees. With an area of 323,000 square metre, the factory can produce up to 8.5 million passenger car and light commercial tyres a year. Over 330 million tyres have been produced at the factory since it started. In 2024, the plant's adoption of the Contyre.Tex technology marked a major turning point in its sustainable development. PET bottles that wouldn't be recycled otherwise are used in this method. Polyester yarn, which can tolerate the unique stresses in tyres, is made from the bottles without the need for any further chemical processes. Since this year, Continental has started producing more tyres with materials approved by the Mass Balance. Carbon black, which is partially created from oil from circular processes, and synthetic rubbers derived from bio-based and bio-circular raw materials are two examples.

Jorge Almeida, head of Sustainability for Continental Tyres, said, “Step by step, we are working to ensure that all of our tyre plants worldwide have the internationally recognised ISCC PLUS certification. The certification of our tyre plant in Sarreguemines underscores our strong commitment to more transparency along the entyre supply chain, while enabling the introduction of new and more sustainable materials”.

Didier Fuchs, head of the Continental tyre plant in Sarreguemines, said, “Receiving the ISCC PLUS certification is a strong recognition of our team’s commitment here in Sarreguemines. We are continuously integrating more sustainable solutions into our production processes. Together, we are shaping a more resource-efficient and responsible future.”

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Hankook Tire has launched the Smart Work AM11+, a premium commercial tyre designed for the UK’s demanding regional distribution and waste management sectors. Engineered for vehicles with frequent stop-start cycles, it features a reinforced sidewall with proprietary abrasion-resistant compounds to withstand repeated kerb impacts. The innovative triple-wear indicator system simplifies maintenance by providing clear, at-a-glance tread depth checks, helping fleets optimise replacement schedules and reduce operational costs.

Available in size 315/80 R22.5 from September, the AM11+ utilises Hankook’s advanced casing technology to deliver extended mileage and puncture resistance. Its optimised tread pattern enhances wet grip and braking performance, critical for urban safety compliance. Developed after extensive fleet trials, this tyre addresses the specific needs of refuse trucks, delivery vehicles and municipal operators facing harsh daily conditions.

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Chinese tyre manufacturer Linglong Tire Co Ltd has defended the quality of its products after facing criticism over Volkswagen's decision to equip the new Tiguan model with its tyres as standard equipment.

The Shandong-based company, which operates Europe's first Chinese-owned tyre factory in Serbia, issued a statement emphasising its commitment to meeting automotive industry standards and highlighting its partnerships with leading car manufacturers.

"Linglong is fully committed to the quality, reliability and safety of its tyre products. Our highest priority is to guarantee drivers and manufacturers the highest standards in tyre technology," the company said in a statement from its German subsidiary.

The new Volkswagen Tiguan comes equipped from the factory with a Linglong Original Equipment tyre in size 255/45 R19 100V, marking a significant win for the Chinese manufacturer in the premium European market. The Ultra High-Performance tyre was specifically developed according to Volkswagen's requirements and carries a "+" marking on the sidewall, which "stands for a noticeable plus in quality, comfort, performance, and efficiency."

Linglong emphasised that development work took place "in close coordination with Volkswagen, with a focus on criteria such as driving dynamics, safety, comfort, mileage, and emission reduction." The company said it adheres to the same specifications as all other premium original equipment tyres regardless of their origin.

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Building on their successful 2024 collaboration, Goodyear and streetwear brand Anti Social Social Club (ASSC) have reunited through IMG Licensing to launch a bold new capsule collection celebrating racing culture. The limited-edition line blends ASSC's rebellious aesthetic with Goodyear's rich motorsport heritage, paying tribute to the iconic Goodyear Blimp and the brand's century of track innovation.

The collection features adrenaline-charged designs across apparel and accessories. Standout pieces include racing-inspired ‘Catch the Feeling’ tops with driver's seat graphics and international race flags, ‘High Performance’ hoodies showcasing the Goodyear Blimp, and ‘Wet Tyre’ tees with tread-pattern branding. Motorsport enthusiasts can also find spark-generating race car graphics on ‘Sparks’ collection pieces, while the ‘Eagle’ line incorporates blimp imagery across button-ups and swim trunks.

Complementing the apparel are podium-worthy accessories like a dual-branded Zippo lighter, flag-adorned keychain and racing gloves. The crown jewel is the Podium Cap, featuring wreath detailing that channels vintage motorsport victory celebrations. Each piece fuses ASSC's signature irreverence with Goodyear's legacy of high-performance racing technology.

This marks the second collaboration between the tire giant and streetwear disruptor, following their October 2024 drop that similarly celebrated automotive culture through fashion. The new collection continues to bridge the worlds of competitive racing and contemporary street style.

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Maxxis continues its successful partnership with the Nissan Acceleration Team (NAT) for the 2025 racing season, supplying high-performance tyres including the Victra VR-1, Victra VR2, RAZR AT (for Altima) and Bravo HP-M3 (for Versa) models. These tyres will equip NAT's diverse fleet featuring Sentra, Z, Z NISMO and CS23 vehicles across 39 AutoX and RallyX events.

The volunteer-driven team of Nissan engineers and technicians, Nissan Technical Center North America (NTCNA), founded in 2019, has grown to include Arizona Testing Center (ATC) members while maintaining its winning tradition. NAT enters the season with strong momentum following a dominant 1-2 finish at Detroit's Milan March Madness rallycross event. The team will also showcase its capabilities at September's ZCON convention in Nashville, the premier gathering for Z car enthusiasts.

Mark Lin, OE Account Manager, Maxxis – Canada, said, “We’re proud to partner with Nissan and help this team live their passion for motorsports. Everyone at Maxxis is cheering them on, and we’re delighted that our tyres help them to roar across the finish line in first place.”

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