China’s passenger car market just posted its 10th straight monthly decline in July 2026, with domestic sales down roughly 20% year-on-year to about 1.47 million units. Meanwhile, the country’s car exports nearly doubled, jumping nearly 90% year-on-year to close to…
BMW’s smallest M car, the M2, still has surprises left. A well-connected insider claims the performance coupe could spawn yet another variant, following hot on the heels of the recently launched M2 xDrive. The new version isn’t expected to arrive…
BMW’s flagship M model, the XM, is reportedly on the chopping block as weak demand threatens its future. The plug-in hybrid SUV, which has sold just 7,608 units globally in 2025, is the slowest-selling BMW model, with even the discontinued…
Chinese tire giant Zhongce Rubber Group (ZC Rubber) has posted year-on-year growth in both sales and profits for the first half of 2026, driven by aggressive overseas expansion and sustained order demand. The Hangzhou-based company reported operating revenue of Yuan23.5…
Chinese carbon black producer Liaoning Changxing Black Cat Carbon Materials Technology plans to invest over Yuan 1 billion (€130 million) in a new 240 kilotonne per annum (ktpa) carbon black plant in Liaoning province. The project, listed on the Chinese…
Japanese tire giant Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) has inked a joint research pact with Thai institutions to probe low-frequency tapping systems for natural rubber (NR) trees. The initiative, announced on 19 August 2026, aims to slash tapping frequency to enhance…
Hong Kong-based Shougang Century Holdings has signed a cooperation framework agreement with Hong Kong BMC (Europe I) Ltd (HK BMC)—a major shareholder of Cordenka—to explore the establishment of a joint venture focused on tire reinforcement materials. The proposed deal aims…
German automotive supplier Continental has reduced its capital expenditure by 25% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, with the sharpest cuts falling on its Tires division. Group-wide capex for property, plant, equipment, and software totaled €437 million in H1…
Dunlop has launched the Geomax EN92, an FIM-approved enduro competition tire that replaces the outgoing Geomax EN91 and doubles as a DOT-legal dual-sport tire. The headline update is a new soft-compound variant designed for wet, rocky, and root-heavy terrain, joining…
Federal Reserve officials indicated growing support for higher interest rates during their July 28-29 policy meeting, with minutes released on August 19 revealing that several policymakers favored a quarter-point increase. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) ultimately voted 9-3 to…