Andrew Bogie

Yokohama Tire has confirmed its continued partnership with the United States Auto Club (USAC) as the official tyre supplier and presenting sponsor for the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America and USA West by Yokohama in 2026. This marks the sixth consecutive season of collaboration. All competing cars will use Yokohama’s Advan A005 racing slicks and Advan A006 rain tyres.

Andy Butterfield, customer service director at National Highways said that the agency is beginning to recognise the importance of tyres in the safe running of the UK’s strategic road network in his Tyre Industry Conference 2025 presentation. He added that National Highways wants to build understanding through partnership, and discuss the role that tyres play in “connecting customers to the roads that we maintain.” Click through to the article to watch the presentation in full.

Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) five-week shutdown was the leading cause of a -27.1 per cent fall in UK car production this September, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) figures show. With only 51,090 units made, this meant September 2025 saw the fewest cars manufactured in the month since 1952 – fewer even than in the pandemic years. Overall vehicle output was down -35.9 per cent, as commercial vehicle volumes were also driven down by -77.9 per cent to 3,229 units by plant restructuring.

At the fifth edition of Bridgestone India’s Mobility Social Impact Awards (MSIA) held in Pune, Delhi-based Impact Guru Foundation (IGF-India) was honored as the First Runner-up in the category of Empowerment of Vulnerable Communities. The awards celebrate organizations that use mobility to drive social change, with winners sharing a total prize pool of 40 lakh rupees (circa £34,000).

The government has published UK 2024 road casualty statistics, which demonstrate the country’s continued lack of progress in reducing the most serious road safety incidents. Road safety organisation TyreSafe responded to the statistics, expressing concern over the persistent stagnation in fatal and killed or seriously injured (KSI) figures, a trend that has remained unchanged for over 15 years. Of particular concern is the role of tyres as a contributory factor in road incidents, which remains a preventable yet under-addressed cause of casualties.

The Pirelli-supplied FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) travels to Wales for its penultimate round with the title fight wide open. Among the contenders firmly in the hunt are two Pirelli-equipped drivers: Andrea Mabellini in a Škoda Fabia and Jon Armstrong in a Ford Fiesta.

Sailun Group has been awarded an A-rating in the latest Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) assessment conducted by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI), rising from BB last year. With the certification, Sailun Group is China’s first tyre company to receive an A in the assessment. The MSCI is a globally recognised sustainability index.

UK government should mandate retreads in public fleet procurement – Vaculug

Ben announces Christmas fundraising activities

JK Tyre & Industries has announced details of the JK Tyre Shiksha Sarthi Scholarship Scheme 2025. Launched in 2023, the initiative is aimed exclusively at the daughters of heavy commercial vehicle drivers. The scholarship helps families overcome financial barriers that often restrict higher education for girls. More than 320 young women have already benefited from the programme; this year JK Tyre will expand the initiative to 500 students pursuing undergraduate education in five states (Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand). JK Tyre says the scheme recognises the invaluable role in powering the nation’s transport and logistics backbone and the company’s commitment to enabling equal opportunities and nurturing the next generation of women achievers.

UK retreader Vaculug has opened its new OTR Centre of Excellence in Kent. The company said the cutting-edge facility marks a major step forward in Vaculug’s mission to deliver world-class service, advanced technology, and environmentally conscious solutions to the heavy equipment industry.

Linglong Tire is entering the 2025/26 football season as the official and global tyre partner of FIFA Club World Cup winner Chelsea FC, the second of its multi-year deal signed last year. The brand will have an extensive presence on the digital boards at the stadium at Stamford Bridge at all Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup matches, commencing with the team’s 14:00 league season-opener on Sunday 17 August at home ground Stamford Bridge against Crystal Palace. Linglong will also be present at the stadium for Chelsea FC Women's home matches.

S&P Global has appointed Bill Eager, chief executive officer of CARFAX, as president of S&P Global Mobility, effective 15 August, 2025. Eager is also CEO designate of the standalone public company that will be formed after the planned separation of Mobility. Eager succeeds Edouard Tavernier, who will remain with the company as a strategic advisor until 30 September, 2025, supporting a smooth transition.

Michelin Tyre B2B sales director Andrew French has addressed the current road transport sector megatrends in an interview for the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ newsletter and website. French outlined the significant challenges and developments facing the sector, beginning with the urgent need to decarbonise fleets. While adoption of alternative fuel vehicles is increasing, infrastructure limitations and the high cost of electric trucks remain major hurdles. French said that Michelin supports all driveline technologies by focusing on tyre performance, safety, and improving efficiency for internal combustion engines and range for electric vehicles.

A new government consultation on the adoption of driverless passenger vehicles announced this week is likely to have wide-ranging implications for the future of fleet risk management, says the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP). The consultation covers taxis, buses and other passenger carrying vehicles, and is planned to lead to limited trials next year ahead of a wider implementation as part of the Automated Vehicles Act in 2027.

Michelin Tyre UK & Ireland managing director John Howe has been elected chair of the British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (BTMA). Howe has more than 25 years’ experience in the tyre industry, working his way from the warehouse to senior leadership at Solideal International, followed by stints with Camoplast, Camso, and ultimately Michelin. Goodyear’s Jamie Stevens, previously chair, will step down to the role vice-chair on a temporary basis, the association added.

Hankook Tire & Technology is the headline sponsor, as well as Electric Café sponsor, of the highly-anticipated Everything Electric show in 2025. Returning to Farnborough International on 11-12 October 2025 with organisers aiming for the biggest and best year yet, featuring more test drives, exhibitors, tech and expert talks over the two day show. The sponsorship agreement represents an expansion of Hankook's previous support for the electrification focused expo in 2024, and demonstrates the tyre manufacturer's position at the vanguard of specialised electric vehicle rubber with its acclaimed iON tyre range.

LKQ Europe has entered into a joint venture with Synetiq Ltd, the UK’s leading vehicle parts, dismantling and vehicle-recycling specialist. LKQ Synetiq will combine Synetiq’s market-leading dismantling, reuse and remanufacturing expertise with LKQ’s distribution and logistics network. Synetiq dismantled approximately 27,000 vehicles across four UK sites in 2024. LKQ Europe calls the new JV “a key building block” in the development of its salvage channel. It will also seek to enhance Synetiq’s goal of maximising the environmental and financial potential of every vehicle.

When Michelin launched its CrossClimate series, the French tyre manufacturer wanted to redefine what a product for year-round driving could be – a “summer tyre with winter capabilities” rather than a compromise promoting the convenience of a year-round fitment. With the launch of the third generation of CrossClimate tyres, Michelin wants to take this further, adding a variation that explicitly targets drivers of performance vehicles, and suggesting that “sporty driving no longer has a season.” While the range, which is particularly suited to the moderate island climate of the UK, continues to offer reliable, durable all-season tyres for all vehicle classes and drive types with the CrossClimate 3, the CrossClimate 3 Sport will offer higher performance driving in a year-round fitment, suitable for vehicles requiring higher rim diameter products (between 18 and 20 inches initially).

Pirelli’s motorsport tyre crews are supporting the opening weekend of the European Rally Championship in Andalusia on 4-6 April. The Sierra Morena Rally is set on the regions winding tarmac roads, with 82 crews on the entry list. New Zealander Hayden Paddon won back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024 but has chosen not to defend the title in 2025. In addition to its ERC role, Pirelli is the sole supplier and technical partner to the ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy, now in its second season, with seven crews taking part in Rally Sierra Morena.