Michelin is launching two new tyres in its CerexBIB 2 range to equip New Holland’s CR11 combine harvester.

As part of an exclusive two-year supply agreement with New Holland, a brand of CNH and a renowned pioneer in agricultural machinery, Michelin has developed two new tyre sizes in its CerexBIB 2 range specially designed to match the heavy specifications of the CR11 combine harvester. With the two new sizes, VF900/65R46 CFO and VF 800/70R46 CFO, Michelin has expanded the dimensions offered in the Michelin CerexBIB 2 range.

Developed using Michelin’s patented ULTRAFLEX technology, the new tyres provide a larger footprint on the ground, protecting it from compaction and rutting for increased productivity. These new sizes offer a load capacity of 19 metric tonnes per tyre and a diameter of 2.32 metres (for the VF900/65R46 CFO size), which is perfect for the CR11 combine harvester given the machine’s 20,000-litre capacity hopper and a 15-metre-wide header. Additionally, the new tyres comply with the various European regulations for road transport.

Combined with a new rear axle configuration, these high-performance tyres optimise total fuel economy while simultaneously increasing the vehicle's footprint by 23 percent and lowering ground pressure by 7 percent. It is the only range available that offers a 10 km/h cyclic load bonus to raise the load or lower tyre pressure.

Nicolas Reboul, Director – OE Sales Agricultural, Michelin, said, “We are proud of our partnership with New Holland. It was a real technical challenge. Innovation and excellence are part of the Group's DNA. That's why Michelin will continue to play a major role in tomorrow's agriculture, by promoting an increasingly environmentally friendly approach while improving productivity.”

A delegation from WESTLAKE MARKETING (MALAYSIA) SDN. BHD. recently visited ZC Rubber’s headquarters at Hangzhou. The visit provided a chance to deepen the understanding of ZC Rubber's operations, technology and future direction while also strengthening the collaboration.

The visitors were given a tour of ZC Rubber's 5G Future Factory to demonstrate how technologies such as automation, real-time monitoring and smart logistics are integrated into daily operations to improve efficiency, product consistency and sustainability. During their tour of the ZC Rubber Showroom, the visitors learned about the company's whole product line, technological advancements, brand history and global expansion, demonstrating the company’s dedication to performance, safety and innovation. The guests also learned more about ZC Rubber's sustainability development and corporate social responsibility initiatives. In order to strengthen market cooperation, align growth goals and investigate new prospects for the Malaysian market, ZC Rubber organised a strategy conference following the tours.

Justin Cui, Asia Sales Director, said, “Malaysia is one of our key strategic markets in Southeast Asia. We highly value our partnership with WESTLAKE MARKETING (MALAYSIA) and look forward to working even more closely to deliver high-quality products and strong support to our local customers.”

The N Vision intelligent tyre from Maxxis has strengthened its resolve for innovation and sustainability by winning the gold A’ (A-Prime) Design award. The tyre was recognised in the Vehicle Parts, Auto Accessories and Care Products design category.

N Vision, which was created for the autonomous vehicles that are expected to be commercially available in 2030, makes use of information from several sensors to forecast tyre condition, vehicle load, speed and road conditions. By modifying the spokes' stretch and bending in response to such circumstances, it gives the tread area the best possible pre-compression or pre-tension. In the end, this lowers the cost of travel per mile. In order to maximise sustainability, N Vision was built using recycled materials made from fishing nets, tyres and PET bottles, as well as bio-based components made from rice husks and sunflower seeds. Tyre scrapping is decreased by its environmentally friendly design and materials, which also give customers an inexpensive, renewable travel choice.

A jury composed of 316 top designers, scholars and prominent members of the press selected the winners of the international A' Design Award competition, which recognises excellence in design in a wide range of fields, including transportation, hospitality, furniture, beauty and much more.

The Victra Sport 6 and HP6 tyres from Maxxis have won the Red Dot Product Design Award for 2025 in the Vehicle Accessories category.

The Maxxis Premitra HP6 features improved rolling resistance, effective braking, a smooth ride, improved mileage for longer travel and accurate handling in wet situations. Designed for sport and luxury automobiles, the Maxxis Victra Sport 6 is an ultra-high-performance tyre that works well with electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. It offers outstanding handling and performs quite well at sporty, faster driving. Both the tyres are available in Europe.

Red Dot Award winners are selected by a panel of 40 worldwide professionals who test, analyse and assess each entry in one of the biggest design contests in the world. The categories for awards include Design Concept, Brand Communication and Product Design. Winners will receive the Red Dot trophies during a banquet in Essen, Germany, on 8 July.

Continental's SportContact 7 tyre has emerged the test winner in this year's Auto Bild sportscar summer tyre test (issue 6/25) with an overall grade of 1.2 (exemplary).

Seven tyre models in the sizes VA 245/35 R 20 and HA 295/30 R 20 from European, Asian and American manufacturers were tested by the editors. The Lotus Emira served as the test car. The SportContact 7 scored top marks in wet handling, cornering, braking and aquaplaning. It had a 43.7-metre braking distance from 100 kmph on wet asphalt, which put it four metres ahead of the second-place tyre and eleven meters ahead of the last-place tyre. It clinched an intermediate score of 1- for the wet tests, which puts it far ahead of its rivals in the test field. After 31.2 metres at 100 kmph in the dry testing, the tyre came to a complete stop. Overall, the tyre received an intermediate 1- throughout the five dry categories.

The SportContact 7 is specifically made for high-performance sports cars that may be powered by electricity or conventional power. Several automakers have authorised it, and it comes in sizes ranging from 18 to 24 inches. Continental concentrated on achieving excellence in every performance criterion throughout development in order to maximise driving enjoyment and safety.

Andreas Schlenke, tyre expert at Continental, said, "The SportContact 7 took first place in the AUTO BILD sportscar test in both wet and dry conditions. This once again proves its leading position in the sports and UHP tyre segment.”

The final verdict from the tyre testers read: "Conti's sport tyre sets the standard for braking on dry and wet roads and offers a big plus in driving safety. Stable, well-balanced handling on dry roads.”