Nexen Tire crafted a significant and multi-faceted presence at this year's SEMA Show, moving beyond a simple product display to foster genuine engagement. The brand’s strategy centred on creating dynamic conversations and providing tangible proof of its products' capabilities. A key initiative, Nexen Live, served as a bustling hub, featuring a continuous schedule of short, unscripted discussions with a diverse array of industry figures. This approach allowed fans and trade professionals alike to see the tyres in action on actual competition vehicles and hear directly from the drivers who depend on them. The core message was one of validated performance, emphasising that Nexen’s passenger and performance lines are rigorously tested and race-proven for dependable daily use.

This narrative was powerfully reinforced early in the event when the N’Fera Sport tyre was distinguished as the runner-up in SEMA’s prestigious New Product Showcase, standing as the only tyre honoured in its category. This accolade amplified the brand's momentum and credibility on the show floor. The company’s outdoor space was consistently active, with presentations that skilfully connected various topics back to a cohesive story about the entire tyre lineup. This provided attendees with a clear understanding of where featured products, such as the EV-compatible N’Priz S and the high-performance N’Fera Sport, fit within the broader range.

The credibility of this full-line story was bolstered by an impressive roster of guests who appeared on the Nexen Live stage. The breadth of perspectives was extensive, featuring product strategy leaders from major OEMs including Nissan, Ford, Toyota and Jeep, who shared insights into manufacturer direction and original equipment performance standards. This high-level industry view was complemented by the real-world, competition-tested experiences of professional racers from Team Nexen and the NHRA. Further depth was added by builders and designers who connected tyre function to vehicle craftsmanship, while influential artists like Cartoon and Mike Giant brought unique visual storytelling that attracted new audiences. Media personalities and content creators effectively translated technical features into relatable benefits for diverse drivers, from truck owners to families. Additional practical context came from aftermarket experts in audio and lubrication, who tied tyre performance into a complete real-world vehicle experience.

This comprehensive SEMA activation is a single component of a larger, sustained effort by Nexen to build market familiarity and trust. This broader plan includes consistent media storytelling, collaborations with digital creators and visible validation from rigorous racing and off-road programmes. The SEMA presence directly followed the company's recent Ride N’ Drive event, where influencers and partners provided direct feedback after hands-on testing. Together, these initiatives delivered a dual spotlight on key products within their full-line context, helping consumers understand each tyre's specific role without overwhelming them with technical specifications. The dialogue from the show is set to continue, as Nexen will release over 40 interviews from its stage across social channels, extending the energy and conversations from Las Vegas throughout the year.

Theresa Kapper, Director of Marketing, Nexen Tire  America, said, “We brought Nexen Tire back to SEMA to make a bigger impression and a bigger impact among the people who live and breathe this industry every day. By opening the stage to racers, builders, creators and partners, we’re not just talking at people, we’re inviting them in. The choice to encourage transparency and open dialogue, and to platform other champions in this space leaves a lasting impression. It tells showgoers exactly who we are: confident in our products, confident in our process and confident enough to let real voices carry the story.” 

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The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) recently hosted a high-level delegation from the Rubber Development Division of the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities Malaysia at the ANRPC Secretariat. Led by Peter Dennis of Malaysia’s Rubber Development Division, the group met with ANRPC Secretary-General Dr Suttipong Angthong and his team.

The discussions centred on essential industry issues, particularly the vital importance of achieving stable rubber prices for the benefit of producers and the broader market. Conversations further delved into analysing recent market trends and their consequences for global production and trade dynamics.

This engagement highlighted the ongoing necessity for cooperative action to address sectoral challenges, advance sustainability and ensure resilient growth in the face of variable economic conditions.

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Bridgestone Americas has unveiled its latest flagship winter tyre, the Blizzak IcePeak, which will launch nationwide in May 2026. This new tyre is distinguished as the first from Bridgestone to achieve both the rigorous 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake and Ice Grip certifications, marking a significant advancement in winter performance. Designed to cater to a broad range of vehicles – including sedans, minivans, CUVs, SUVs and trucks – the IcePeak will replace the Blizzak WS90 and DM-V2 models. It will be available in 107 sizes, ultimately covering approximately 97 percent of the US light-duty vehicle market, with the majority of sizes ready at launch.

The tyre’s development centres on delivering superior winter traction alongside improved durability and efficiency, leveraging the company’s ENLITEN technology. This integration aims to lower rolling resistance for better fuel economy and extend tyre wear life, offering long-term cost savings for drivers. Internal testing indicates the IcePeak surpasses the wear life of its predecessors while maintaining effective traction. Its compatibility extends to conventional, hybrid and electric vehicles, emphasising its modern engineering.

Key to its performance is a suite of specialised technologies. Bridgestone’s patented MultiCell compound is engineered to enhance stopping power on ice, a claim validated by the official Ice Grip certification. This certification requires performance on ice to exceed a standard reference tyre by at least 18 percent in braking tests. For snow traction, the tyre employs optimised tread blocks and full-depth 3D sipes to create additional biting edges, helping vehicles gain grip and reduce spin.

Building upon the Blizzak lineage, which spans nearly four decades of innovation, the IcePeak introduces refined design elements. Its optimised compound is formulated for added durability across multiple winter seasons without sacrificing grip. A newly unified global tread pattern incorporates several critical features: strategically placed sipes are angled to maximise the gripping edge, protrusions on tread blocks prevent water intrusion on ice and micro-grooves help clear the thin water film that forms on icy surfaces. Together, these features aim to provide drivers with reliable control in wet, snowy and icy conditions, advancing the brand’s reputation for winter safety and performance.

Ian McKenney, Senior Product Manager, Bridgestone Americas, said, “Our Blizzak tyre lineup moves from strength to strength, continually raising the standard for impressive winter weather control. With the application of ENLITEN technology, we are able to expand the tyres’ performance envelope in all directions while also delivering greater durability and reduced rolling resistance, while promoting a focus on enhanced sustainability.”

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Citira, a circular tyre management provider, is introducing a nationwide emergency tyre service in Sweden for commercial fleets, a strategic move to become a comprehensive tyre management partner. Named Citira 24/7 Däckjour, it provides a dedicated contact point for heavy vehicle operators needing immediate assistance, day or night.

This service connects customers to an established, quality-assured network of professional tyre workshops across the country. By utilising pre-assembled replacement wheels ready for immediate deployment, the system ensures rapid on-site repairs to maximise vehicle uptime and minimise operational disruptions.

Clients also benefit from predictable, agreed-upon pricing and consolidated billing, which simplifies administration and enhances budget control. This integrated offering is designed to streamline daily operations, reduce downtime and deliver a more seamless support experience for truck and bus companies.

Göran Bengtsson, Head of Sales at Citira Sweden, said, “This is an important milestone for us to be to able offer our Swedish heavy vehicle fleet customers. This has been frequently requested to us, and we are happy to be able meet the demand, providing a new level of reliability and convenience for our customers.”

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Michelin has unveiled the X-Ice Snow+ tyre, a premier winter product designed to meet the heightened demands of modern, unpredictable winter weather. This new offering provides increased performance and durability over its predecessor, specifically engineered to tackle severe seasonal challenges. Its advanced FLEX-ICE 3.0 tread compound optimises braking performance across a spectrum of conditions, including ice, snow and both wet and dry roads, ensuring reliable control during freezing rain or on treacherous black ice.

The tyre's proven tread design delivers superior start-up traction in deep snow compared to three leading competitors and offers strong lateral grip for stability on slick, icy corners. Beyond immediate safety, the X-Ice Snow+ is built for long-term value and efficiency. It achieves an extended tread life, lasting more than 26 percent longer than key rival tyres. Furthermore, through a specialised low-energy-loss compound that minimises rolling resistance, it delivers up to 34 percent better efficiency, which supports fuel savings and extends electric vehicle range without sacrificing winter traction. Passenger comfort is enhanced by proprietary Piano Acoustic Tuning Technology, a system engineered to reduce road noise for a quieter ride.

Available for dealer order starting in May 2026 for the winter selling season, the Michelin X-Ice Snow+ tyre will be produced in 15- to 23-inch sizes to accommodate a broad range of vehicles, including sedans, CUVs, SUVs, pickups and both hybrid and electric models.

Omer Waysman, Vice President – B2C Marketing, Michelin North America, Inc, said, “For more than 130 years, Michelin has continued to push the boundaries of innovation by improving our technologies to meet the needs of mobility across the globe. With the new Michelin X-Ice Snow+ tyre, we have taken everything drivers loved about the previous generation tyre and improved key areas. This new tyre delivers excellent winter performance, longer-lasting durability and greater efficiency, giving drivers a dependable advantage when the weather is at its worst.”

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