Hankook Tire, the exclusive tyre supplier for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, equipped the entire grid with its specialised iON Race tyre for the 2026 CUPRA Raval Madrid E-Prix. This marked a pivotal deployment for the tyre at the historic Circuito del Jarama, the longest circuit on the calendar, where it was tasked with handling the combined strategic complexities of a new race format.

Held over 23 laps of the undulating 3.934 km layout, this Season 12 round introduced the first single-header application of PIT BOOST alongside a revised ATTACK MODE, forcing teams to master a deeper layer of strategy. The fast-flowing corners and significant elevation changes made energy management paramount. Throughout the weekend, the iON Race tyre proved essential, offering stable grip and controlled thermal behaviour that provided predictable warm-up and consistent traction under the circuit’s demanding sustained cornering loads. This balanced performance window gave teams the confidence to commit to their pit strategies despite limited historical data at the venue.

Jaguar TCS Racing executed a flawless strategic race, with António Félix Da Costa securing victory in the inaugural Madrid E-Prix, leading teammate Mitch Evans in a 1–2 finish while Pascal Wehrlein rounded out the podium for Porsche. Following the conclusion of Round 6, the championship now prepares for Rounds 7 and 8 in Berlin, where the teams and the Hankook tyres will face a distinctly different challenge on the familiar Tempelhof circuit.

Manfred Sandbichler, Senior Director of Hankook Motorsport, said, “The Madrid E-Prix offered a valuable opportunity to see how teams adapted their strategy on Formula E’s longest circuit. With PIT BOOST and a revised ATTACK MODE influencing race dynamics, tyre consistency was an important factor as teams managed energy and race pace across the 23-lap distance. Insights from Jarama will contribute to our ongoing collaboration with the championship as the season continues.”

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Magna Tyres marks its 20th anniversary today, 23 March 2026, celebrating two decades of expansion within the off-the-road and industrial tyre sector. From its beginnings as an entrepreneurial venture addressing the need for reliable OTR tyres, the family-owned business has evolved into a recognised international brand. It now serves customers across more than 130 countries, supported by a worldwide network of offices, partners and distributors.

Technical expertise and a commitment to customer focus have driven the company’s strategic growth, establishing it as a trusted partner across mining, construction, ports, terminals, recycling and agriculture. Headquartered in Waalwijk, the organisation draws on deep knowledge of rubber compounds and tyre engineering to deliver high-quality solutions tailored for demanding applications.

Over the past 20 years, the company has strengthened its global presence through new offices, expanded production capacity and strategic acquisitions. Long-term relationships with customers, distributors and partners remain central to its approach, blending entrepreneurial drive with the stability of a family-owned enterprise.

Michael de Ruijter, CEO, Magna Tyres, said, “This anniversary not only marks 20 years of growth but also the next phase. We will continue to invest in innovation, capacity and our global network to further strengthen our market position and serve customers worldwide at the highest level.”

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JK Tyre & Industries has approved an investment of INR 15.3 million to acquire a 26 percent stake in FPEL Burning Bright Private Ltd, as part of efforts to secure captive renewable energy supply.

FPEL Burning Bright Private Ltd, incorporated on 28 May 2025, operates in solar power generation. The company is a special purpose vehicle of Fourth Partner Energy Private Limited and is engaged in the generation and sale of electricity.

JK Tyre said the acquisition is intended to meet regulatory requirements for captive power consumption under Indian electricity laws. It will maintain a minimum 26 percent holding in FPEL for the duration of the power purchase and shareholder agreements.

The investment will be made in cash and is expected to be completed within 90 days. No regulatory or governmental approvals are required for the transaction, and it does not fall within related-party transactions, the company said.

FPEL, based in Hyderabad, currently has no reported turnover as it was recently incorporated.

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Michelin has introduced two new high-efficiency tyres – the MICHELIN Primacy ^{5 energy} and MICHELIN Pilot Sport ^{5 energy}. These two new product families have been developed in direct response to the shifting requirements of contemporary vehicle design. With the automotive industry’s rapid transition toward electrification, manufacturers are increasingly demanding tyres that deliver an exacting balance of low rolling resistance, tenacious grip, extended durability and precise handling dynamics. Both new ranges have been engineered to fulfil these criteria, offering tangible benefits such as extended range for electric vehicles and reduced fuel consumption for internal combustion models, all while upholding uncompromising standards of safety and longevity.

The MICHELIN Primacy ^{5 energy} is distinguished by its triple A-rating for wet braking, rolling resistance and external rolling noise. Compared to its predecessor, it achieves wet braking distances that are up to eight percent shorter, both when the tyre is new and when worn down to two millimetres of tread depth. Its best-in-class longevity is enabled by Energy Passive 2.0 Technology, which employs functionalised elastomers, advanced resins and a refined architecture to deliver the highest mileage in its European segment, including on electric vehicles. Independent tests have shown it can outlast leading competitors by as much as 40 percent in comparable conditions. The efficiency gains are substantial, offering up to six percent lower fuel consumption, which translates to roughly 0.3 litres saved per 100 kilometres, along with a 10 percent increase in electric vehicle range. These figures mean substantial fuel savings and a 327 kg reduction in CO₂ emissions over the tyre’s lifespan.

The MICHELIN Pilot Sport ^{5 energy} merges motorsport-derived engineering with energy-conscious design. Leveraging Dynamic Response Technology and a new Adaptive Grip Compound, it delivers the precise steering feedback and superior wet and dry grip expected from a high-performance tyre. MaxTouch Technology addresses the historically rapid wear associated with performance vehicles by optimising the contact patch for even wear distribution, while an Energy Passive compound in the shoulder areas achieves an unprecedented level of rolling resistance for this category. The result is a sport tyre that not only significantly outperforms key rivals in longevity tests but also secures an A rating for rolling resistance. Its endurance credentials were validated during the MERCEDES AMG GT CONCEPT XX world record, where it sustained a constant speed of 300 kmph for nearly eight days, demonstrating exceptional durability and energy efficiency under extreme conditions.

Both ranges are now being rolled out with a clear focus on meeting the specific demands of modern mobility. The Primacy ^{5 energy} is initially available in 33 sizes spanning 16 to 19 inches, while the Pilot Sport ^{5 energy} launches with 19 sizes across 19 to 21 inches. By addressing the dual imperatives of enhanced performance and reduced environmental impact, Michelin aims to reinforce its position in a segment that continues to dominate global tyre sales, offering solutions that cater equally to the needs of electric vehicles, hybrids and traditional internal combustion engine cars.

Jean-Claude Pats, Automobile and Two-Wheel Business Line Director and member of Michelin’s Executive Committee, said, “These innovations reflect a profound transformation in mobility. Today’s tyres must combine performance, longevity and energy efficiency while supporting the transition to electrified vehicles. With MICHELIN Primacy ^{5 energy} and MICHELIN Pilot Sport ^{5 energy}, drivers and manufacturers no longer need to compromise between performance, safety, durability and efficiency. These new ranges demonstrate Michelin’s continued investment in innovation and our ambition to deliver technologies that support the mobility needs of today and tomorrow.”

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TyreSafe, UK’s charity dedicated to raising tyre safety awareness, has formed a new alliance with TMS Consultancy, a specialist in road safety audits and training. This partnership unites two organisations dedicated to reducing casualties through the ‘Safe System’ framework, merging TMS Consultancy’s expertise in engineering with TyreSafe’s focus on vehicle safety advocacy.

With a 35-year track record that includes delivering over 19,000 Road Safety Audits and more than 2,500 training courses for clients across UK, Ireland and beyond, TMS Consultancy brings practical, tailored solutions to the collaboration. This complements TyreSafe’s longstanding mission to advance road safety through education, research and awareness, particularly regarding tyre condition and vehicle maintenance. Together, they aim to close the gap between road design and vehicle safety by embedding TyreSafe’s specialised knowledge into TMS Consultancy’s established training programmes. This equips road safety practitioners with a deeper understanding of how tyre health, braking distances and road surface interaction are critically linked.

This alliance also strengthens TyreSafe’s existing network of more than 250 supporters, which includes local authorities, transport bodies and police forces, helping to spread consistent, evidence-led tyre safety messages widely. Building on existing partnerships with the Institute of Highways Engineers and the Road Surface Treatment Association, TyreSafe continues to advance awareness of the connection between tyres and road infrastructure. By joining forces with organisations involved in road development and maintenance, TyreSafe further embeds the Safe System approach, working to mitigate human error through safer roads, vehicles, speeds and road users, alongside effective post-crash response.

Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe Chair, said, “Road safety depends on every element of a vehicle being fit for purpose, and tyres are a critical part of that. Working with TMS Consultancy allows us to bring clear, practical tyre safety guidance to more organisations and road professionals, helping them understand how simple checks and maintenance can prevent incidents and save lives.”

Jess Waldron, Director, TMS Consultancy, said, “Partnering with TyreSafe aligns perfectly with our mission to make roads safer for everyone; increasing knowledge and sharing best practice across the sector is a responsibility we take seriously. By sharing TyreSafe’s ACT message through our training and professional networks, we can ensure that vehicle safety becomes a core consideration for road safety practitioners across the board.”

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