Hankook Tire has launched the fourth generation Ventus evo, a sporty ultra-high-performance summer tyre for changeable conditions.

Featuring a new mixture developed using artificial intelligence (AI), the tyre provides excellent wet grip and low rolling resistance. The wide drainage grooves work in tandem with the optimised tyre contact area to facilitate good evacuation of water and reduce the risk of aquaplaning, while the extra-rigid sidewalls and tread blocks provide stability during cornering and shorten the dry braking distance by six percent compared to the third-generation tyre. The innovative mixture, on the other hand, ensures low rolling resistance despite the high grip. This reduces fuel consumption and provides a 32 percent increase in mileage compared to the third-generation tyre.

Klaus Krause, Vice President and Head of Europe Technical Centre, Hankook, said, “With the fourth generation of the Ventus evo, we are setting new standards. We decided early on to leverage AI in the development of tyre mixtures and were able to successfully transform the laboratory results into high-quality industrial processes. Today, we’re seeing the benefits of that effort. With its innovative mixture ratio, the Ventus evo overcomes traditional trade-offs, delivering uncompromising excellence in performance, safety and mileage.”

The new Ventus evo and Ventus evo SUV will be available in stores in 58 sizes by this summer, with plans to expand the offering to 94 sizes – from 17 to 23 inches in widths from 205 to 325 in the 65 to 30 series and with speed indexes from V to (Y) – by the end of next year.

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In a significant step for sustainable infrastructure, the Selwyn District in Canterbury is poised to conduct New Zealand's inaugural trial of a rubber road surface. According to Radio New Zealand, the trial is scheduled for early 2026 in Glentunnel on State Highway 77. This pioneering initiative represents a proactive move by the council to explore innovative solutions for its extensive roading network and reflects the council's commitment to investigating new technologies that can enhance performance and provide additional value.

Central to this venture is Treadlite NZ, the nation's sole supplier of recycled rubber granules specifically designed for pavement applications. The company's executive director, Brad Pearce, has confirmed their involvement, collaborating with a contractor to supply the material for the proposed trial. Pearce expressed his enthusiasm for the prospect of seeing recycled rubber improve the durability and functionality of roads across the country in the near future.

The rubber road project is just one of several innovations being pursued by Selwyn's infrastructure team. Other exploratory measures include the use of plastic grids in road rehabilitation to minimise excavation and an underground stormwater system, StormBrixx, which manages surface flooding in vulnerable areas. The council is also considering a novel contracting model where companies lease road lanes, creating a financial incentive to complete work quickly and efficiently. This drive for innovation occurs against a backdrop of managing one of the country's largest geographic road networks, which is facing pressures from high growth and increasing traffic loads.

While data indicates that Selwyn's roads are among the smoothest in New Zealand, the council acknowledges the ongoing challenge of maintaining surface conditions as its infrastructure ages. The upcoming trial in Glentunnel, facilitated by the specialized materials from Treadlite NZ, stands as a testament to the council's forward-thinking approach to extracting greater value and longevity from its critical assets.

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Maxion Wheels, the world’s leading wheel manufacturer, has officially confirmed its readiness to begin series production of forged aluminium truck wheels in January 2026. The announcement was made at the SOLUTRANS 2025 exhibition in Lyon, France. This production will be housed in a new, state-of-the-art 24,500-square-metre plant located in Manisa, Türkiye, which was developed as a joint venture with İnci Holding. The facility is now fully operational, featuring advanced machinery and an initial annual capacity of approximately 350,000 wheels, with a flexible design to accommodate future market growth.

The introduction of these wheels significantly expands Maxion's commercial vehicle portfolio, allowing the company to offer what it now considers the industry's most comprehensive product range. The new forged aluminium wheels will be available in high-demand sizes and finishes, engineered to meet the stringent requirements of OEMs and fleets across Europe and Türkiye for superior durability, performance and appearance.

Looking forward, the company is already developing a patented surface treatment designed to offer enhanced durability, improved corrosion resistance and easier maintenance. This innovative solution is currently undergoing laboratory and benchmarking tests, which have so far yielded highly promising results.

Mark Gerardts, CEO, Maxion Wheels, said, “Forged aluminium truck wheels represent a critical evolution in our strategy to deliver the most complete and innovative commercial vehicle wheel portfolio in the industry. Our steel wheels have set the benchmark – and our forged aluminium truck wheels will meet it with the same uncompromising quality and reliability.”

Mustafa Zaim, President of the Board of Maxion Inci and Maxion Jantas, said, “Our collaboration with Maxion Wheels combines global product expertise with local manufacturing excellence to deliver a new wheel line-up that redefines choice and quality for truck OEMs, fleet managers and drivers. This milestone is more than the start of production – it’s a commitment to innovation, safety and meeting the evolving needs of OEMs and fleets across Europe and beyond.”

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Apollo Tyres Ltd and the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneshwar, are collaborating to incorporate a specialised ‘Tyre Technology’ module into the engineering curriculum. This initiative is unprecedented in India, representing the first time a tyre manufacturer and a technical institution have joined forces to formally integrate the science of tyre design and manufacturing into academic studies.

Apollo Tyres will be instrumental in developing the course, ensuring the syllabus and materials reflect the most current industry practices and technological advancements. Prof (Dr) Achyuta Samanta, Founder KIIT, KISS and KIMS, highlighted that this focus on the critical automotive component of tyres will equip future engineers with the practical knowledge to solve complex technological challenges.

The alliance is poised to offer students exceptional exposure to specialised fields and create transformative educational experiences, bridging the gap between theoretical learning and industrial application.

R Mahalakshmi, Chief Human Resources Officer, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “This strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone for the Indian automotive sector. By bringing tyre technology into mainstream engineering education for the first time, we aim to equip young engineers with future-ready skills and real-world exposure. Through internships and on-ground training at our facilities, students will gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge tyre design, manufacturing and testing, strengthening the talent pipeline for India’s mobility future.”

Prof (Dr) Saranjit Singh, Vice Chancellor, KIIT-DU, said, “In the fast-growing demand for a market ready workforce, it is imperative that Industry and Academia work closely together to develop quality tech talent. Being one of the leading technology universities, we have a strong intellectual capital and talent base to partner with industry in bridging the talent gap and nurturing future-ready digital professionals. The introduction of co-branded specialisation, ‘Tyre Technology’, will definitely give our students a new scope for innovation and edge over others.”

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French tyre major Michelin has opened two new Michelin Tyres & Services Store (MTS) in Hyderabad. The new stores, in partnership with Ashoka Wheels and 4 Wheelz & Tyres, will further strengthen Michelin’s presence in the southern market with now a total of five stores in the city.

Both dealerships will provide Michelin’s latest products, premium consumer experience and services such as wheel alignment, road force balancing and premium tyre fitment.

Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director, Michelin India, said, “Hyderabad continues to be a fast-evolving automotive market in Southern India. The city’s growing base of luxury and premium vehicle owners, coupled with its strong service ecosystem, makes it an ideal market for Michelin. The launch of two new stores in this city aligns with our commitment to expanding our network, improving accessibility, and providing customers with world-class premium products and the full-fledged Michelin experience. This milestone coincides with our strengthened manufacturing capabilities in India, with the passenger car tyre manufacturing unit in Chennai.”

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