New for 2022, the Mercedes-Benz EQB is a fully electric compact SUV that weighs in at 2.1 tonnes and delivers up to 292hp through its 66.5 kWh motor, power that will get it from 0 to 62mph in as little as 6 seconds. Versions of the EQB delivered with 19-inch rims as standard will roll from the factory on Continental tyres. Continental is supplying its EcoContact 6 to Mercedes-Benz in size 235/50 R19 103T XL.
Kia has selected Continental tyres as original equipment for its new Niro. In European, Middle East and African markets, it will deliver the fully-electric version of its SUV with Continental EcoContact 6 Q tyres in size 215/55 R17 94V. Plug-in hybrid models of the Niro will roll on the PremiumContact 6, which Kia will fit in size 225/45 R18 95V XL FR.
The Maxam Agrixtra range of agricultural tyres has been approved for original fitment on select New Holland T5, T6, and T7 SWB and LWB tractors around the world. “The homologation, approval, and commercialisation of our radial agricultural tyres is a significant step in the evolution of the Maxam brand as a long-term supplier to CNH Industrial and New Holland Agriculture,” says Kevin Buckley Maxam OE sales director Europe. The Sailun Group brand added that the approval represents a “major milestone” for the brand and its agricultural tyre series, which was introduced in 2014.
Hopium, France’s first manufacturer of hydrogen-powered vehicles, is partnering with Bridgestone to develop tyres for its Hopium Machina saloon. Bridgestone will create the tyres using its proprietary Virtual Tyre Development technology, working to a remit of minimising rolling resistance in order to enhance the car’s 1,000-kilometre range.
The BMW Group has selected Apollo Tyres’ Vredestein Ultrac tyres as original equipment for the all-new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, which went on sale across Europe from March 2022. Produced at Apollo Tyres’ Gyöngyöshalász plant in Hungary, the Vredestein tyres chosen by the BMW Group will be supplied in three sizes: 205/65R16 95W, 205/60R17 97W XL and 225/50R18 99W XL, each marked with a star symbol on the sidewall to indicate that they are a bespoke product for the BMW Group. This is the first time that Apollo Tyres has secured an original equipment deal with a BMW Group business.
KTM has selected the Dunlop Geomax MX33 as original equipment for the majority of models in its 2023 motocross range. Dunlop will supply the Geomax MX33 for all the larger capacity 2023-spec KTM SX bikes, including the KTM 450 SX-F and KTM 250 SX-F.
VW Caddy models supplied with 16- and 17-inch rims will be available with Continental all-season tyres as original equipment. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is equipping the Caddy with the AllSeasonContact in sizes 205/60 R16 96H XL and 215/55 R17 98H XL. It has also approved the Continental EcoContact 6 summer tyre for the Caddy in size 215/55 R17 98H XL.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has officially opened its new manufacturing facility in Dudelange, Luxembourg, an operation it calls a “first of its kind” for the company. The inauguration on 5 May follows a US$77 million investment in industry 4.0 digital manufacturing processes at the site.
Automotive tuner AC Schnitzer creates the most powerful BMW M3s ever at its facility in Aachen, Germany. With power upgraded to a total of 610 hp (449 kW) and refined according to the AC Schnitzer philosophy of “better fast than hard”, the M3 can reach around 300 km/h or 186 mph. This power connects with the road via Continental SportContact 7 tyres. AC Schnitzer fits the new sports tyre to the M3 in size 285/30 R 20 at the front and 295/30 R 20 on the drive axle, each on its own lightweight forged rims.
The BMW i4 Gran Coupé will be sold with Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 tyres as original equipment. Hankook Tire is supplying its ultra-high-performance tyres in 18- and 19-inch dimensions, including mixed and all all-position sizes as well as a run-flat option.
It is the ‘MO’ label on the sidewall that Hankook Tire is particularly proud of. The two letters stand for ‘Mercedes Original’, and only tyres that match strict quality criteria are approved as original equipment for Mercedes-Benz vehicles. These letters appear on the sides of three Hankook tyre models that Mercedes-Benz fits on the S-Class, continuing a supply arrangement that began almost a decade ago.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has selected Apollo Tyres’ latest Vredestein Quatrac all-season tyre as original equipment for the new Caddy. It will fit the Quatrac in 205/65R15 99H XL to selected Caddy models manufactured at the Volkswagen production facility in Poznan, Poland.
Maxam Tire
