Kumho Tire’s new ultra-high-performance (UHP) tyre, the ECSTA Sport, has been rated ‘Very Good’ in the latest Die Reifentester summer tyre test.

The tyre size used for testing was 225/40R18. Eight tyre manufacturers participated in the test, including well-known names like Goodyear, Bridgestone, Michelin and Continental. Bridgestone and Continental shared the top rating with Kumho's ECSTA Sport. The wet braking results were one of the test's main features. With a stopping distance of only 23.07 metres at 80 kmph, the ECSTA Sport outperformed every other tyre in the test. It was one of just two tyres – the other being the Continental SportContact 7 – to receive the ‘Very Good’ rating in wet handling. In dry weather, the ECSTA Sport also performed admirably. Die Reifentester gave it a ‘Very Good’ grade for dry handling, comparing it to three competitors of premium brands.

Drivers seeking precision handling, robust safety features and high mileage performance are the target market for the ECSTA Sport. The tyre, which comes in sizes 16 to 22 inches, features a new compound blend that improves high-speed stability and reduces stopping distances.

Matthias Bode, Head of Research and Development Europe at Kumho Tire, said, “We are delighted with this result from Die Reifentester. Kumho ECSTA Sport is designed to offer excellent performance for all motorists, including the most demanding drivers, and this test result is an excellent indication that we are on the right course.”

Tony Gangseung Lee, Head of Europe, said, “This test result demonstrates the commitment of Kumho to developing and producing exceptional tyres which offer excellent value to the driving public. I am delighted to see the team’s hard work being so well rewarded in this independent tyre test as we set new performance benchmarks.”

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Pirelli has been named a ‘2026 Top Graduate Employer Brand’ in China by 51job, a leading domestic human resources firm. The recognition highlights the tyre manufacturer’s effectiveness in attracting top university talent, developing student skills and strengthening its overall employer reputation among young professionals.

Established in 2018, the award programme uses a dual-evaluation system that incorporates feedback from both corporate recruiters and student candidates to ensure impartiality. The 2026 cycle, themed ‘Without Boundaries’, judged participants on several criteria, including campus brand influence, graduate training structures, youth development culture, university partnership depth and compensation competitiveness. Pirelli’s selection underscores its strong resonance with emerging talent and validates its sustained investment in early-career recruitment.

The company operates a year-round campus engagement model, featuring recruitment drives in both spring and autumn that target engineering, business and design disciplines. Selection processes involve structured interviews, assessment centres and business case simulations. For the 2027 graduate cohort, Pirelli has opened positions across a wide array of functions, such as motorsports, research and development, quality, data analytics, production management, lean manufacturing, supply chain, electrical engineering and health, safety and environment.

New graduates enter a two-year induction known as the Warming Up @Pirelli programme, which is structured around four stages: an orientation to corporate culture and strategy, a functional deep-dive into company operations, practical tool acquisition and a reflective session to map future career paths. The initiative emphasises international exposure, cross-functional rotation, executive engagement, hands-on simulations and a round-the-clock digital resource library. Beyond onboarding, Pirelli maintains a global training architecture with four pillars – Professional Academies, School of Management, Global Activities and Local Education – offering continuous professional development across multiple fields while collaborating with top universities for localised, innovation-focused programmes.

Pirelli also champions an inclusive, equitable workplace, guided by the values of inclusion, enhancement and equal opportunity. Its global MORE welfare framework, centred on care for employees, their families and the community, delivers comprehensive health benefits, family support and volunteer engagement, reinforcing the company’s commitment to holistic people development and long-term career growth.

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Titan International has introduced the ITP Kinetic tyre line, marking a significant advancement in powersports engineering for modern utility terrain vehicles. Engineered to meet the demands of today’s largest and most powerful UTVs, the new tyre range prioritises all-terrain capability while ensuring long-lasting durability and consistent traction across diverse environments.

Designed for operators at every skill level, the Kinetic series combines aggressive styling with balanced functionality. Its open tread pattern delivers superior performance on hard pack, loose dirt, rocky trails and ruts, while strategic siping in select blocks enhances flexibility and grip on slick or uneven ground. Dimpled tread elements further contribute to improved stability and steering precision, offering riders enhanced control in challenging conditions.

Durability is reinforced through an eight-ply radial construction that provides a smooth ride alongside exceptional puncture resistance. Additional sidewall armour protects against cuts and abrasions, and an integrated rim guard shields wheels from debris damage, preserving both wheel integrity and visual appeal. All models are manufactured at the company’s Clinton, Tennessee facility, underscoring a commitment to domestic production.

The ITP Kinetic is now available in five popular sizes through authorised dealers nationwide, providing a versatile, no-compromise solution for enthusiasts seeking confident performance across multiple terrains.

Todd Hinson, Powersports Product Manager at Titan, said, “UTV owners today are pushing their machines further than ever. The new Kinetic tyre line was engineered to keep up with users that push their machine’s limits and utilise their UTVs in many versatile and challenging tasks and applications. Giving our customers one tyre for their ever-changing needs.”

Rhett Turpin, Director of Sales – Powersports, said, “This tyre does just about everything riders could ask for. It’s quiet on hard surfaces, aggressive on rough terrain and built to last.”

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Doublestar Tire has cemented its regional ambitions with the HEADWAY tyre series launch in Phnom Penh, where Chen Gang, Chairman of Doublestar (Cambodia) Factory, joined Deng Ling, General Manager of the Overseas Development Department and Xie Tao, Asia-Pacific Regional Director, to court local dealers and distribution partners. The Cambodian manufacturing base emerged as the centrepiece of the strategy, offering logistical agility and cost advantages that the company believes will underpin sustained growth throughout Southeast Asia. Executives used the gathering to reaffirm their commitment to tailoring products specifically for the Kingdom's road environment.

Engineering innovation took precedence as Xie Tao presented the HH316 passenger tyre, whose grooved architecture enhances wet-braking performance amid Cambodia's heavy seasonal rains, while five-pitch sequencing curbs cabin noise for a smoother ride. His counterpart Deng Ling outlined the brand's localised production philosophy, emphasising rigorous heat-reduction measures that extend tread life – a critical factor in tropical climates. The HU906 sports variant, engineered to rival premium benchmarks, rounded out a portfolio designed for both everyday commuters and performance-driven motorists.

The event also underscored the strategic value of the local partner, a 30-year industry veteran with nationwide reach, which has already invested heavily in promotional campaigns to elevate HEADWAY's profile. Distribution teams expressed enthusiasm for the product pipeline, while Chen Gang acknowledged their indispensable role in navigating Cambodia's fragmented retail landscape.

By merging domestic production with targeted product development and a seasoned ally, Doublestar signalled its intent to transform HEADWAY into a dominant local franchise, earning tangible buy-in from attendees who witnessed the brand's technological and commercial pitch firsthand.

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KENDA Europe has completed the relocation of its Belgian operations from Arendonk to Turnhout, with the new facility becoming fully operational in March 2026. Constructed by the Bolckmans Group, the 8,000-square-metre centre occupies a strategically central location designed to enhance regional service efficiency while actively reducing CO₂ emissions. This site joins KENDA’s network of five other European locations that deliver fitting, distribution and sales support close to customers.

The Turnhout logistics hub features nearly 6,800 square metres of warehouse space alongside a 1,500-square-metre fitting area. Equipped with two semi-automatic assembly lines and eight fitting stations capable of handling tyres from 3 to 17 inches, the centre streamlines workflows to ensure consistent and reliable service delivery.

Sustainability was a core design principle beyond operational performance. Bolckmans utilised lower-carbon materials such as CEM III B concrete and XCarb steel, while glulam timber beams actively store carbon within the structure. Energy efficiency is achieved through advanced insulation, solar-control glazing, heat pumps and intelligent building management systems, complemented by rooftop solar panels and an on-site wind turbine that supply 100 percent renewable power. Rainwater harvesting and on-site infiltration systems further manage water resources.

With this new Turnhout base, KENDA reinforces its commitment to efficient operations and responsible practices, ensuring robust infrastructure to support customers both now and in the future.

Richard Todd, COO, KENDA Europe, said, “The move not only improves the way we work today but also gives us the flexibility to support our customers well into the future. Throughout the relocation, maintaining a high level of service was our priority, and I am pleased that the transition was completed smoothly.”

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