Hankook Tire has introduced the Laufenn S Fit 2, a new addition to its sporty tyre lineup that emphasises consistent performance, efficiency and durability while upholding the premium standards of the Hankook brand. This marks a significant milestone as the first Laufenn model to be selected as original equipment by European automobile manufacturers. The Laufenn S Fit 2 is now widely available in 94 sizes ranging from 15 to 20 inches, with a dedicated SUV version offered in sizes from 16 to 20 inches.

Engineered specifically for the European market, the tyre underwent rigorous testing to ensure it performs reliably across diverse driving conditions. It delivers strong grip and stability for agile cornering on dry asphalt, confident control during heavy rain and a smooth, comfortable ride through city traffic. A key technical advancement is the high silica compound combined with convex tread blocks, which enables nearly 90 percent of sizes to achieve the top EU wet grip classification of A. This represents a 16 percent reduction in braking distance compared to its predecessor. Furthermore, four wide linear grooves enhance water evacuation, resulting in a 10 percent improvement in wet handling and increased directional and lateral stability at higher speeds.

The S Fit 2 also demonstrates notable gains in sustainability and cost efficiency. With a rolling resistance rating between B and C, the tyre supports exemplary fuel economy. The integration of a new generation of polymers contributes to a 15 percent increase in mileage over the previous model, thereby reducing long-term tyre costs. Additionally, the refined tread pattern minimises vibrations and noise, significantly enhancing acoustic comfort.

Beyond its performance credentials, the Laufenn S Fit 2 offers a high load capacity and low weight, making it suitable for a broad spectrum of vehicles. Looking ahead, Laufenn tyres designed for plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles will feature a dedicated EV marking on the sidewall, a strategic characteristic of this second-generation product line that is already present on the S Fit 2.

Jang Hyuk Moon, Vice President – Marketing, Hankook Tire Europe, said, “With the Laufenn S Fit 2, we are strengthening the profile of our brand in the summer segment. The fact that the tyre is also being used as original equipment for the first time is an important milestone and shows that Laufenn is continuing to gain substance in the European market.”

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Hankook Tire, the exclusive tyre supplier for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, played a central role in the season’s pivotal Japanese double-header. As the official race tyre for all competitors, the company’s iON Race compound was put to the test under extreme and shifting conditions during Rounds 14 and 15 of Season 12 at the 2026 TDK Tokyo E-Prix.

The weekend’s on-track action produced two dramatic winners. CUPRA KIRO’s Dan Ticktum snatched victory in Round 14 with a last-corner overtake on Jake Dennis, while Nick Cassidy completed the podium. The following day, Mahindra Racing’s Nyck de Vries claimed Round 15, finishing ahead of Cassidy and Dennis, who secured second and third respectively. The entire paddock also observed a period of remembrance for the late Cyril Blais.

The 2.575-kilometre temporary circuit, featuring 18 corners and situated around Tokyo Big Sight, hosted its first-ever night races, drastically altering track conditions from practice to competition. Unstable weather compounded the challenge, with a Sunday thunderstorm cancelling Free Practice 3 and leaving a damp, drying surface for Round 15 that demanded constant adaptation in tyre warm-up and strategy.

Throughout the weekend, Hankook’s iON Race tyre demonstrated reliability across the evolving grip levels and temperature swings. Following the Tokyo results, Dennis retains the championship lead with 146 points, narrowly ahead of Mitch Evans and Pascal Wehrlein. The title battle remains fiercely contested and will be resolved at the season-ending Hankook London E-Prix double-header on 15–16 August.

Manfred Sandbichler, Senior Director, Hankook Motorsport, said, “Bringing Formula E night racing to Tokyo for the first time made this a distinctive weekend and one of the more unusual tyre assignments of our season. The contrast between afternoon running and the 20:05 races shaped how teams prepared for both events, and the iON Race managed that transition and the changing weather conditions well, delivering consistent and predictable performance as the circuit cooled through the evening.”

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Tegeta Green Planet recently contributed to the ‘Circular Future’ green camp, an environmental education initiative organised by CENN and funded by the European Union. The camp, which hosted 23 teenagers from the Adjara and Kakheti regions, was designed to deepen ecological understanding, advocate for waste-free systems, and inspire long-term behavioural change among the next generation.

Throughout the week-long gathering, young attendees engaged with forward-thinking methods for minimising refuse, prolonging product life cycles and improving separation and recovery processes. Interactive workshops translated abstract circular economy theories into tangible daily actions, equipping participants with the know-how to conserve materials and shrink their personal environmental toll.

A noteworthy component of the programme occurred on 22 July, when a specialised seminar titled ‘Circular Economy: Waste Reduction and Recycling for Public Health’ was convened. Co-hosted by Tegeta Green Planet, the UNDP and the Waste Management Business Association, the seminar examined the intersection of ecological integrity and human well-being, illustrating how robust recycling systems directly benefit community health outcomes.

Closing the day’s agenda, Tegeta Green Planet’s Director, Shalva Akhvlediani, offered an in-depth look at the Extended Producer Responsibility model currently unfolding in Georgia. He traced the journey of end-of-life vehicle components – from used tyres and spent lubricants to depleted batteries – through collection, transport and reprocessing channels. Akhvlediani also highlighted his organisation’s network of over 350 domestic producers and importers, stressing that youth education remains a cornerstone of their mission. The floor was then opened for a lively exchange, where students posed probing questions, debated local environmental dilemmas and floated their own grassroots suggestions, reinforcing the message that responsible resource use begins with informed individual choices.

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Nexen Tire reported second-quarter revenue of KRW 891.3 billion and operating profit of KRW 34.3 billion, as growth in Europe and higher sales of premium products supported performance despite rising costs and geopolitical uncertainty.

Revenue increased 10.8 per cent from a year earlier, driven by demand in key markets, particularly Europe, the company said .

The tyre manufacturer said its strategy of expanding original equipment (OE) supply programmes and diversifying replacement (RE) tyre sales helped support growth amid weaker demand in the automotive market. Sales of 18-inch and larger tyres accounted for 38.8 percent of total sales, up 3.6 percentage points from a year earlier, reflecting a greater focus on premium products.

Profitability came under pressure as higher raw material prices and increased ocean freight rates raised costs. The company also incurred one-off expenses following the final ruling on US anti-dumping duties, which resulted in a higher tariff rate than previously expected.

Europe was the strongest-performing region during the quarter, with revenue reaching KRW 407.2 billion, the first time quarterly sales in the region have exceeded KRW 400 billion.

The company attributed the growth to higher OE sales from its European manufacturing plant, business expansion in the UK, Türkiye and other markets, and improved distribution and logistics following the addition of a finished-goods warehouse at the plant.

In South Korea, demand for electric vehicle (EV) and sport utility vehicle (SUV) tyres remained strong. Nexen Tire said its expanding OE portfolio, which includes the Hyundai IONIQ 6, Kia's EV3 to EV9 models and other domestic electric vehicles, supported higher OE revenue and increased sales of larger-diameter tyres.

The company also said continued growth in rental sales within the replacement market improved its product mix, while its first OE supply agreement with BYD strengthened its position in the global EV market.

Alongside its financial results, Nexen Tire said it had expanded its OE supply during the quarter to electrified models including BYD vehicles and the Hyundai STARIA EV. Supply to premium automotive brands also increased from a year earlier, supported by research and development initiatives, including AI-based performance prediction technologies.

"Despite growing cost pressures from external factors, we have continued to achieve top-line growth on the back of strong sales in key markets," said John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO of NEXEN TIRE. "With the stable ramp-up of the second-phase expansion at our European plant and the results of our distribution improvements in North America, we expect more tangible improvements in earnings."

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Pirelli has officially communicated to all Formula 1 teams the tyre compound selections for the upcoming Dutch, Spanish and Italian Grands Prix. The Italian manufacturer has opted for the medium-range C2, C3 and C4 compounds for the events at Zandvoort and the new Madrid circuit, while the Monza race will see the softest available tyres, the C3, C4 and C5, deployed.

For the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, Pirelli has confirmed the same compound choice as the previous year. The coastal circuit is defined by its medium and low-speed corners, including two banked turns, which place significant vertical and lateral loads on the tyres and demand high aerodynamic downforce. The track surface itself offers low inherent grip, a challenge compounded by sand from the nearby beaches being blown onto the asphalt, further affecting tyre performance.

The Italian Grand Prix at Monza presents a contrasting challenge, with its recently resurfaced track encouraging teams to run low-downforce configurations. The pit lane loss time for a tyre change is among the highest of the season, incentivising teams to extend stints and manage degradation to achieve a one-stop race. However, the potential for high ambient temperatures could complicate this strategy, making tyre management more difficult.

Making its debut on the calendar as the Spanish Grand Prix, the semi-permanent street circuit in Madrid features 22 highly varied corners, significant elevation changes and the longest banked turn in the championship. Simulations indicate that the loads on the tyres are comparable to those at Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps. Consequently, Pirelli’s selection of the medium-range compounds is designed to favour a two-stop strategy and offer greater protection against overheating, a risk to which the softer C5 compound would be particularly vulnerable in warm conditions.

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