German tyre major Continental is significantly expanding its presence in the global market for ultra-high-performance (UHP) tyres. The company states that the UHP tyres are designed for safe and dynamic driving at high speeds and are available in sizes from 18 inches.

Between 2019 and 2024, the premium tyre manufacturer increased its worldwide sales of UHP tyres in the passenger car and light truck segment by approximately 15 percent. Over the same period, the share of UHP tyre sales across all Continental brands rose from 38 to 52 percent, and to 60 percent for the core Continental brand, up from 46 percent five years ago.

Edwin Goudswaard, Head of R&D, Continental Tires, said, “For us, ultra-high-performance tyres are much more than a technological flagship product – they are a strategic driver of innovation. Their development requires engineering of the highest standard, high-tech materials and precise testing and production processes. At the same time, they demonstrate our solid position in the premium segment and significantly contribute to Continental’s economic strength.”

UHP tyres are claimed to provide excellent grip, precise steering, strong brake performance and high driving stability, primarily used on powerful vehicles such as sports cars, SUVs and luxury saloons. The global demand for UHP tyres is projected to grow by around 9 percent annually until 2029, driven by the increasing popularity of SUVs and the electrification of powertrains. Continental is experiencing particularly high demand for UHP tyres in the Asia-Pacific region, especially in China.

The German brand currently offers UHP tyres across all product segments, including summer, winter and all-season tyres. The flagship product in its UHP portfolio is the SportContact 7. Since its global launch in 2022, the SportContact 7 has won 21 out of 24 independent tyre tests, boasting a success rate of over 87 percent.

The company stated that tyre testers have praised its ‘shortest braking distances under all test conditions’ and ‘very balanced and safe vehicle handling on dry roads and even better performance on wet roads compared with the competition.’ Its precise steering characteristics, reproducible driving responses and excellent grip during sporty driving have also received acclaim.

Continental continues to invest in the development of its UHP products, fostering close collaborations with vehicle manufacturers and tuning specialists like AC Schnitzer and Brabus.

"These partnerships enable us to transfer ideas from the high-performance segment to the mass market,” explained Goudswaard. The High-Performance Technology Centre (HPTC) in Korbach produces high-performance tyres for powerful and technologically sophisticated passenger cars and conducts rigorous testing under realistic extreme conditions.

The SportContact 7 has received original equipment approvals for various models, including the Porsche Panamera, Maserati Levante, Audi RS6 Avant, Polestar 3, BMW 5 Series and BYD Seal. The tyre is available in 120 sizes from 18 to 24 inches and has been developed for both electric and conventional vehicles.

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Steelastic LLC, part of the HEICO Companies, has officially announced a new strategic partnership with IBP for the territories of India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. In this capacity, the company has welcomed John Powath as its official agent for these regions. Powath is a respected leader within the tyre industry, bringing a wealth of experience from his roles as a Partner at IBP and as a Co-Founder of Automoto. He is also recognised as an active contributor to global tyre and automotive industry events.

Operationally, Steelastic’s Business Development Manager Hemant Agrawal will work in close coordination with the IBP team. Their collective focus will be on strengthening the support infrastructure for customers and driving the growth of Steelastic’s business footprint across South Asia. The company has expressed considerable optimism regarding this collaboration and believes it will unlock substantial new opportunities for its valued customer base in the region, enhancing product access and technical service.

The company statement read: “We welcome John Powath as Steelastic’s official agent in these regions. Powath is a respected leader in the tyre industry, Partner at IBP, & Co-Founder at Automoto, as well as an active contributor to global tyre and automotive events. Moving forward, Steelastic Business Development Manager, Hemant Agrawal, along with the IBP team, will work closely to strengthen customer support and grow Steelastic’s business across South Asia. We are excited about this collaboration and the opportunities it will bring for our valued customers.”

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The Bridgestone Potenza Sport has been declared the definitive winner in EVO's 2025 Tyre Test, decisively outperforming eight rival products. Evaluated on a high-powered BMW 135i xDrive with 302 bhp in the size 235/35 R19, the tyre delivered six class-leading results.

The tyre’s dominance was particularly evident in wet conditions, where it achieved the shortest braking distance and top scores for cornering and aquaplaning resistance. The tyre also excelled in dry performance, recording the fastest lap time and a strong third-place finish in dry braking. Test editors praised it as an exceptional and emphatic winner, noting its superb on-road feel and capability in all conditions.

This assessment is further supported by independent TÜV SÜD testing, which confirms the Potenza Sport's superior dry braking, cornering and stability against other premium tyres. Its wet performance is also officially recognised with a top EU 'A' wet grip rating and leading results in wet cornering and handling, solidifying its status as a top-tier ultra-high-performance tyre.

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Michelin has announced the full deployment of its proprietary TreadEye technology across the Michelin Retread Technologies franchise network in the United States. TreadEye is a technology developed to enhance the retread process and deliver value to fleets.

The company stated that TreadEye is a tread depth assessment tool that helps fleets maximise their tyre investment. The system collects 1,200 measurement points accurately and consistently, providing insights into tread wear and casing condition.

Key benefits of the TreadEye technology include:

• Identification of pull points by fleet location.
• Maximisation of rubber on the road by helping to avoid early pulls.
• Helps in prevention of casing damage and helps reduce DOT violations.
• Helps reduce downtime from late pulls.
• Improved efficiency in the tyre removal process, directly affecting a fleet’s bottom line.

Nate Kirian, Vice-President of Sales and Distribution, Commercial Business Lines for Michelin North America, Inc, said, “TreadEye is a game-changer for our retread operations and for the fleets we serve. It’s a powerful example of how Michelin continues to innovate in ways that directly benefit our customers.”

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In a significant move for UK road safety, TyreSafe, the nation's dedicated tyre safety charity, has formed a landmark partnership with the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA). This alliance represents a powerful consolidation of industry voices, uniting manufacturers, distributors and safety advocates behind the common goals of enhancing road safety, elevating professional standards and promoting positive behavioural change among motorists.

This formal collaboration brings together two central organisations within the automotive aftercare sector. By combining their strategic objectives, they aim to amplify crucial safety messages and deepen engagement with the frontline professionals – retailers, fitters and technicians – who directly influence driver habits. The NTDA, a leading trade association founded in 1930, represents over 300 companies operating more than 2,000 retail outlets across the country, from major national chains to independent family-run businesses.

The partnership will facilitate joint public campaigns, shared research projects and the development of educational resources designed to help both consumers and industry professionals better understand the critical importance of correct tyre maintenance and timely replacement. This collaborative effort is bolstered by compelling new data from the NTDA's recent TyreCheck 2025 study, which examined over 58,000 vehicles. The research revealed a concerning increase in the number of tyres nearing the legal minimum tread depth, underscoring an urgent need for renewed public education on what constitutes a truly roadworthy and safe tyre. Ultimately, this unified initiative marks a new era of cooperation, driven by a shared vision to eliminate the dangers posed by illegal and defective tyres on Britain's roads.

Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe Chair, said, “This partnership represents a pivotal moment for the tyre industry. TyreSafe and the NTDA share a common goal – to make tyre safety a central part of the national road safety conversation. By combining TyreSafe’s public awareness and behavioural insight with the NTDA’s trade expertise and nationwide reach, we are uniting every part of the tyre supply chain behind one clear message – safe tyres save lives. Together, we can make that message stronger, more consistent and more effective than ever before.”

Ian Andrew, CEO, NTDA, said, “The NTDA has long been committed to raising standards across the tyre trade and promoting the professionalism of our members. Working collaboratively with TyreSafe allows us to take this commitment to the next level – ensuring that retailers, fitters and technicians play a central role in improving driver understanding and road safety outcomes. This partnership will help unify our industry around shared goals, driving both cultural and practical change.”

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