Premium tyre manufacturer Hankook Tire’s associate brand Laufenn is celebrating 10-year milestone of the brand’s presence in Europe.

The brand started with passenger car tyres since 2015 and added commercial vehicle treads to its portfolio five years later. Laufenn today boasts market presence in over 100 countries, offering passenger car tyres in 341 sizes along with a commercial vehicle portfolio of 18 sizes. Hankook intends to boost marketing expenditures in order to raise awareness of its Laufenn brand. In addition, a new generation of passenger car treads for the summer and winter will soon be introduced. Laufenn will increase its market share and supply original equipment tyres to a European automaker in 2025, in addition to its current offering in the passenger car replacement market. Laufenn has also been an official sponsor of the UEFA Europa Conference League since the 2021/22 season, further emphasising its position in strategically important sales markets.

Laufenn first made its foray into the market with performance and touring summer tyres for passenger automobiles. The X Fit Van summer tyre for SUVs and passenger vehicles, as well as the i Fit, the first winter tyre for SUVs and passenger cars in Western and Central Europe, came next. The i Fit ICE, a studded winter tyre for passenger automobiles and SUVs, marked Laufenn's entry into the Northern and Eastern European markets over the ensuing time frame. All-season tyres are now part of the range in addition to summer and winter tyres. Laufenn unveiled the improved summer tyres S FIT EQ+ and G FIT EQ+ in 2020. Laufenn's total market share in Europe has increased fourfold since its launch.

Laufenn is also commemorating a significant milestone in the commercial vehicle tyre industry: the company has been providing truck, bus, and trailer treads throughout Europe for five years. In 2025, the 18 sizes that are now available in the commercial vehicle portfolio will be expanded to include additional sizes, beginning with the trailer tyres LF95 and LR02, which are 265/70 R19.5.

In an effort to further innovate the truck market, Laufenn is this year launching ‘Laufenn365’, a new digital platform that will make it easier to resolve unintentional damage claims for the company's commercial vehicle tyres and provide clients with additional insurance against unforeseen expenses. Initially, this platform will be available in the United Kingdom. Laufenn intends to reach further European markets with its smart product and tyre warranty. The launch of another affiliate brand, Optimo, is a recent illustration of Hankook's strategic brand growth. Optimo serves a market niche with increasing demand for passenger automobiles and enhances Hankook's sibling and premium brands.

Jongho Park, President and Chief Operating Officer, Hankook Tire Europe, said, “With our associate brand Laufenn, we offer tyres that deliver excellent value for money without compromising on safety, reliability and quality. Customers benefit from the many years of experience of the Hankook brand and get a product that meets the highest standards. This allows us to create a win-win situation in every respect.”

Jang Hyuk Moon, Vice President – Marketing Department, Hankook Tire Europe, said, “Laufenn has established itself as a strong associate brand to Hankook with a steadily expanding portfolio and growing international presence. The brand will continue to focus on quality and customer relationships in order to further build on its success.”

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Continental Tire is launching a philanthropic initiative with ROUSH Performance and automotive influencer Supercar Ron to deliver hope to children with critical illnesses. The collaborative effort centres on raising funds for Make-A-Wish, the global leader in granting transformative wishes for children facing serious health challenges. At the campaign’s core is the ‘Full Throttle for Wishes Giveaway’. This sweepstakes offers a grand prize of a fully equipped ROUSH-supercharged F-150 Nitemare, outfitted with Continental ExtremeContact DWS-06 Plus tyres, with all proceeds directly benefiting the charity.

Since 1980, Make-A-Wish has fulfilled over 615,000 wishes worldwide, providing hope and joy during immensely difficult times. The organisation believes a wish can serve as a pivotal moment, fostering resilience and optimism that positively impacts a child’s journey. With a child becoming eligible for a wish approximately every 25 seconds, the mission is urgent. By uniting high-performance automotive passion with philanthropy, this initiative aims to create life-changing experiences and deliver moments of joy to as many children as possible.

Brian Beierwaltes, Head of Marketing US PLT, Continental Tire, said, “Together, we have the power to create something extraordinary. By joining forces with ROUSH and Supercar Ron, we’re turning passion into action and making a huge difference for kids who need hope the most.”

Supercar Ron said, “Cars have always been my passion, but helping kids is my purpose. This initiative is about more than horsepower; it’s about giving these incredible kids the strength to keep fighting. I’m thrilled to team up with Continental and ROUSH to make this happen.”

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Apollo Tyres has achieved an A- rating from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) in both Climate Change and Water Security for 2025. This recognition places the company among the foremost international leaders in transparency and tangible environmental action, as evaluated by this prominent disclosure platform. Apollo Tyres began its formal CDP reporting journey in 2020, demonstrating its dedication to accountability through alignment with major frameworks including the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

The company’s performance trajectory illustrates a consistent and marked improvement, rising from an initial Climate Change score of D in 2020 to achieving leadership status just five years later. This progression was bolstered in 2023 when Apollo Tyres expanded its disclosures to encompass water security, immediately securing a B- rating. The subsequent elevation to a dual A- rating underscores robust advancements in corporate governance, risk management, and comprehensive emissions reduction initiatives.

Central to this progress is Apollo Tyres’ commitment to achieving net zero emissions across its value chain by 2050. In support of this ambitious long-term vision, the company is developing a detailed decarbonisation roadmap and will shortly announce specific, absolute near-term emission targets. This systematic approach reinforces ongoing efforts to deepen stakeholder engagement and implement science-based environmental strategies, solidifying the company’s strengthened standing within the competitive global sustainability landscape.

Rajeev Kumar Sinha, Chief Manufacturing Officer, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said “Reaching an A- rating underscores our dedication to environmental stewardship and our progress towards a low-carbon, water-secure future. We remain committed to driving meaningful action and transparency across our operations.”

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Michelin is accelerating its retail expansion in North India through strategic new partnerships. The global tyre manufacturer has inaugurated two new Michelin Tyres & Services stores in Delhi NCR region. In Noida, Michelin has collaborated with Tyre Shoppe India, an established retailer with over 25 years of industry presence and a substantial facility renowned for its technical proficiency and customer service. A separate flagship outlet has also opened in Delhi’s Model Town in partnership with Liberty Tyres, a trusted automotive specialist operating for more than two decades.

These new stores provide customers with full access to Michelin’s premium tyre portfolio alongside comprehensive automotive care. Both facilities are equipped with advanced diagnostic tools, high-precision alignment and balancing equipment and offer a complete suite of vehicle services to ensure efficient and accurate maintenance. This expansion is part of Michelin’s focused strategy to strengthen its footprint across Northern India, enhancing convenience and reliable access for motorists.

Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director, Michelin India, said, “Delhi–NCR plays an important role in Michelin’s growth strategy for India, with its strong base of premium and performance vehicle owners. The addition of these two new Michelin Tyres & Services Stores strengthens our retail presence in the region and brings us closer to our customers. As we prepare to introduce our Made-in-India passenger car tyre range next year, expanding our network remains central to ensuring accessibility and providing consumers with world-class mobility solutions.”

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Bridgestone Retail Operations, the service and retail arm of Bridgestone Americas, has named Zachary Borden as its 2025 Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Master Technician of the Year, recognising his performance across technical skills, productivity and customer service.

Borden received the award at a ceremony hosted by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, which oversees certification standards for vehicle repair and maintenance technicians in the US.

Borden joined the company’s Firestone Complete Auto Care network in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in 2016 after completing an associate degree in automotive technology at Tidewater Community College. He holds nine ASE certifications and has exceeded his service productivity rate by nearly 300 per cent for the past two years, according to the company.

Marko Ibrahim, president of Bridgestone Retail Operations, said: “Zach exemplifies the spirit of this award through his commitment to efficiency, clear and productive communication, and fostering a collaborative work environment. He is a standout technician and a trusted advisor for our customers, and it is an honour to recognise his servant leadership.”

Borden said: “Being named ASE Master Technician of the Year is truly an honour, and I’m grateful to be recognised for the quality of my work. What means the most to me is the opportunity to grow alongside a team that supports, challenges, and learns from one another every day.”

ASE Technician of the Year nominations are determined by employers based on test scores, on-the-job performance and community involvement. Bridgestone Retail Operations selects candidates from its network of more than 2,200 outlets across the US operating under the Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus, Hibdon Tires Plus and Wheel Works brands.

The award follows the accreditation of Bridgestone Retail Operations’ technician-training curriculum by ASE in October. Accreditation is granted to institutions that meet established standards for technical education and is intended to support technicians in gaining ASE certifications throughout their careers.

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