Tyre News

Half a century has passed since the VW Golf GTI first hit the road, and to celebrate the anniversary Volkswagen has developed a limited-edition model, the Golf GTI Edition 50. Bridgestone has engineered custom Potenza Race semi-slicks for the Edition 50 and is supplying these as exclusive tyre for cars delivered with the optional GTI-performance package.

Road safety charity TyreSafe teamed up with Lancashire County Council Trading Standards and Lancashire Constabulary to investigate three used tyre sellers in Preston recently – and found shocking results. Of the 30 part-worn tyres checked by investigators NONE complied with UK regulations, and nearly 20% were being sold in a condition that represents a serious safety risk to drivers, their families and other passengers. “This investigation paints a deeply worrying picture,” said Stuart Lovatt, chair of TyreSafe.

As summer approaches and drivers across Europe prepare for holidays and road trips, Goodyear is reminding motorists of the need to get ‘road-ready’ for summer to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey. From fitting the right tyres to understanding local driving laws, proper preparation is the key to maximizing both safety and driving pleasure this summer.

Marking Diabetes Awareness Week with an important road safety message TyreSafe and the Diabetes Safety Organisation (DSO) have officially launched the ‘Tread Safely’ campaign, a new initiative designed to raise awareness of the increased road risks faced by people living with diabetes—particularly those affected by Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN).

More than seven in 10 motorists would “consider” buying a car made by one of the new Chinese manufacturers entering the UK market. This verdict comes from Startline’s June Used Car Tracker, which adds that BYD has achieved 28% recognition among these potential customers, followed by Maxus (19%) and Chery (14%). Aiways, Denza and Jaecoo are all on 11%; Omoda and Xpeng on 10%; and Nio, Skywell and GWM Ora on 9%. The rest are Leapmotor (8%), Lynk & Co (7%), HiPhi (3%) and Zeekr (2%).               

A recent survey by Apollo Tyres Ltd reveals that 45% of UK drivers purchase new tyres without understanding tyre labels, which provide critical information on safety and performance. These labels, similar to those on household appliances, rate tyres on wet grip, fuel efficiency, and noise levels. Despite EU regulations since 2012—and stricter rules introduced in 2021—requiring retailers to share this data, only 16% of UK motorists were informed about tyre labels during their last purchase, the lowest among eight European countries surveyed (average 34%).