Goodyear Tire & Rubber will fly its iconic blimp over more than 100 cities across North America and Europe this year to celebrate the airship’s centennial, expanding beyond its traditional sports coverage to music festivals and cultural events.

The tyre maker announced the tour at the Rose Bowl game in Pasadena, California, where the blimp first provided aerial coverage 70 years ago. The company will also offer rare passenger flights through a consumer sweepstakes running through 10 April.

“Only 0.0006 percent of Americans have flown in the Goodyear Blimp,” the Akron, Ohio-based company said in a statement. Three winners will receive flights for two people at their choice of bases in Carson, California, Pompano Beach, Florida, or Akron, along with USD 3,000 travel vouchers.

“The Goodyear Blimp” is an enduring symbol of nostalgia and innovation for fans worldwide. With its century-long history and unique ability to instil a sense of wonder in those who experience it – whether from on the ground or in the air, the blimp gives Goodyear a way to connect with the public in a way no other tyre company can match,” said Mark Stewart, CEO and President of Goodyear.

The first Goodyear Blimp, named Pilgrim, took flight in 1925. Since then, the airships have become fixtures at major sporting events, including the Olympics and the first Super Bowl. During World War II, the company’s blimps aided US military efforts.

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DUNLOP (company name: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.) will present a dedicated exhibit at the Automotive Testing Expo Europe 2026, scheduled from 23 to 25 June in Stuttgart, Germany. The showcase is organised by UKIP Media & Events Ltd.

At booth number 1474 in Hall 1 of Messe Stuttgart, the company will feature its proprietary SENSING CORE software. This technology detects tyre and road surface conditions without extra sensors by analysing wheel speed rotation data and Controller Area Network (CAN) vehicle transmissions. Key detections include tyre pressure, load, wear, road conditions and wheel detachment.

The display will highlight use cases for mobility challenges under five themes: autonomous driving, smart navigation, one-stop maintenance with insurance optimisation, smart infrastructure and digital twin. SENSING CORE supports software-defined vehicle advancement and autonomous driving, fostering partner collaboration for the evolving automotive industry.

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Radar Tyres, the flagship brand of Singapore headquartered Omni United, has announced that its Radar RED (Radar Elite Dealer) programme now includes more than 1,000 dealers across Europe. The initiative provides participating tyre retailers with exclusive incentives, brand visibility support, product training and a dedicated platform aimed at fostering long-term business growth.

The European dealer network expansion has been carried out in stages. The first phase launched in Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Portugal. An enhanced phase followed last year in UK, Spain, Italy, France and Germany, with the programme now also being introduced in Poland. Reaching the 1,000‑dealer mark represents a significant step in the programme’s regional development.

Radar Tyres’ European strategy emphasises close collaboration with local distributors and dealers rather than focusing solely on end consumers. The company recognises tyre professionals as key advisors who help drivers select products based on vehicle manufacturer guidelines, driving conditions and budget. Depending on the market and programme level, Radar RED offers point‑of‑sale materials, online visibility through a dealer locator, product training, staff tyre benefits, structured rewards and access to select Radar Protect Program benefits such as Road Hazard Protection and the 30‑day Satisfaction Promise.

To support the next phase, Radar Tyres has introduced dedicated Network Managers in selected markets and posted new dealer testimonial videos on the RED landing page. In those videos, participating dealers share how the programme supports daily business operations, customer confidence and long‑term relationships.

G S Sareen, CEO, Omni United, said, "Reaching more than 1,000 Radar RED dealers across Europe is a proud moment for us. While the number itself is an important milestone, what matters most is the trust and commitment we have built with our dealer partners over the years. The success of Radar RED is driven by dealers who believe in the brand, understand their customers' needs and see long-term value in growing their business with Radar Tyres.

“As the network continues to expand, our goal is to keep strengthening these relationships and create more opportunities for dealers to connect, share experiences and learn from one another. We look forward to bringing the RED community together through new initiatives, partnerships and events, not only across Europe but also with RED dealers in other markets around the world.

“Tyre dealers play a central role in the purchase decision. They know their customers, they understand local driving needs and they can explain product value in a practical and trusted way. Through the Radar RED programme, we are supporting the dealers in building the brand at a local level and building stronger relationships with their own customers.”

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Giti Tire has broken into the top tier of the global tyre industry, securing the eighth position on the Brand Finance Tyres 25 2026 ranking. The annual financial report also crowned the manufacturer as the world’s fastest-growing tyre brand, a distinction driven by a remarkable 37.7 percent surge in brand value. This financial lift brought the company’s valuation to USD 1.47 billion, pushing it one spot higher in the global order and signalling a sharp increase in its competitive clout.

Analysts at Brand Finance pointed to a trio of strategic priorities behind the company’s ascent: relentless innovation, advanced tyre engineering and deliberate worldwide expansion. Over the last 12 months, the tyre maker has solidified its hold on both original equipment and replacement markets while tailoring a new product family for the booming electric vehicle sector. A standout technical achievement came through a partnership with BYD’s luxury Yangwang division, where Giti’s Sport e.GTR2 Pro tyres helped the Yangwang U9 hit several high-speed performance milestones, directly challenging traditional premium brands in the EV and high-performance arenas.

The company’s physical footprint now includes five manufacturing plants and five R&D and testing hubs, distributing goods to more than 130 countries. Heavy investment continues in the AdvanZtech and T5 Smart Technology platforms, which are designed to produce next-generation tyres for passenger cars, commercial fleets and electric vehicles. That industrial reach is matched by a retail network of over 100,000 professional outlets worldwide, a logistical asset that Brand Finance cited as a key enabler of the brand’s rapid global service delivery and market penetration.

Giti’s new standing places it alongside industry titans such as Michelin, Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, Dunlop, Pirelli and Yokohama. Beyond the ranking itself, the fastest-growing tyre brand title reflects mounting recognition from carmakers, business partners and consumers alike. As the mobility sector undergoes electrification, digital shifts and sustainability demands, Giti continues to channel resources into modern tyre solutions, aiming to cement its status among the world’s tyre industry leaders.

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Bridgestone Retail Operations, a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas and operator of the largest network of company-owned automotive service providers in the world, has unveiled plans to mark the 100th anniversary of Firestone Complete Auto Care. The yearlong observance will include special events, promotions and new customer initiatives across more than 1,800 US locations.

Among the centennial offerings, Firestone Complete Auto Care will release its inaugural state of auto care report this summer, drawing on millions of data points from its retail network to highlight customer trends and cost-saving insights. The company is also launching an interactive online history archive that showcases a century of achievements and innovations. Additionally, the brand will donate its 100th Driving Great Futures passenger van to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, expanding reliable transportation for youth programs, a partnership active since 2015. Anniversary promotions and offers are available throughout the year.

The business traces its origins to founder Harvey Firestone, who, a 100 years ago, established one-stop service stations for tyres, gasoline, oil, batteries and brakes. During the 1920s and 1930s, the company helped shape the auto care industry through warranties, lifetime guarantees, advanced diagnostics and specialised training. Harvey Firestone’s customer-first philosophy remains a cornerstone of operations today.

Currently, the Firestone Complete Auto Care network spans 48 states and employs more than 9,500 technicians, all supported by an Automotive Service Excellence accredited training programme. The brand’s century-long legacy continues to emphasise trusted reliability and dependability, honouring both past and present employees who have built that reputation.

Marko Ibrahim, President, Bridgestone Retail Operations, said, “When Harvey Firestone established the first network of Firestone service stations in 1926, he helped pioneer the automotive care industry and set us on a course of innovation as the automobile evolved. Over the past century, Firestone Complete Auto Care has become a trusted neighbour and dependable resource in communities across the nation. We are grateful to our customers past and present and look forward to continuing this journey together for another 100 years.”

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