Marcus Webb Volkswagen Group is doubling down on its cost-cutting crusade with a sweeping plan to slash complexity across its sprawling model lineup. The German automotive giant is targeting fewer models and variants, prioritizing high-volume products that sell best rather than maintaining…
The 2026 Pro Motocross Championship Series swings east for the first time, rolling into High Point Raceway in Mt. Morris, Pennsylvania, this Saturday. With 38 riders on the grid, the absence of Lucas Coenen—who’s back in Europe after a runner-up…
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have unveiled a breakthrough polymer technology designed to dramatically boost impact resistance in materials like synthetic rubber and plastics. The innovation centers on embedding weak molecular bonds, called mechanophores, into polymer networks.…
The rubber and tire industry has seen various developments over the last seven days, with key players worldwide reporting their financial results and share-price trends. Selected tire manufacturers’ share-price trends show that Bridgestone Corp.’s share price increased by 3.1% to…
As summer temperatures soar, the inside of a parked car can turn into a furnace—easily exceeding 130°F—posing serious risks to anything left inside. Beyond the obvious hazards like spoiled food or theft-prone electronics, several everyday items can become dangerous or…
A Kia Soul exploded in Gamewell, North Carolina, due to a combination of compressed air and a lit cigarette. The incident occurred on the evening of June 12, when a child in the back seat was playing with a can…
Ford Reid from Dallas, Texas, is hunting for a replacement car after his beloved 2013 Ford Focus ST was totaled in a towing mishap. With a $25,000 budget, he’s after a four-door manual-transmission car that’s practical, reliable, and spacious enough…
Carvana, the online used car retailer, has made a significant move into the new car market by quietly purchasing several Stellantis dealerships. Despite its past struggles, the company has transformed and is now valued more than the ‘Big Three’ automakers…
German chemical giant Wacker has officially opened a new silicones production site in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic, marking the completion of a €100 million investment initiated in 2024. The facility will specialize in room-temperature-curing silicones and solid silicone rubber, serving…
Zeon Corp. is set to launch a subscription-based data management platform for rubber compounders, aiming to digitalize rubber development. The platform, scheduled for commercial launch in fiscal 2026, will utilize a database of around 150,000 rubber compounding records and artificial…