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Proton is set to introduce integrated tyre services at selected authorised service centres across Malaysia following a strategic collaboration with Continental Malaysia. The move reflects Proton’s ongoing commitment to enhancing customer convenience and delivering a more seamless vehicle ownership experience.

Through this partnership, Proton service centres will be transformed into comprehensive one-stop hubs, offering tyre sales, professional installation, and after-sales support. These services will be delivered in cooperation with Continental Malaysia, one of the world’s leading tyre manufacturers. By the end of December 2025, the company expects to roll out these offerings at 60 outlets nationwide, covering owners of all current Proton models.

As part of this initiative, customers will be able to purchase and install new tyres during routine maintenance appointments. Prices will begin at RM211 per unit for models such as the Proton Saga. All tyres offered will be newly manufactured to ensure maximum safety, reliability, and performance, with installation carried out by Proton-certified technicians to uphold consistent service standards.

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The Ministry of Transport (MOT) has reinforced its stance on the use of retreaded tyres, emphasising that only those meeting mandatory standards are permissible for road use. Transport Minister Anthony Loke warned that uncertified retreaded tyres, which lack proper testing and verification, pose significant safety hazards.

Minister Loke cited the Motor Vehicles (Construction & Use) Rules 1959, which mandate that retreaded tyres must have certification to ensure compliance with safety standards. He pointed out that the Road Transport Department (JPJ) enforces three essential standards: Malaysian Standard (MS) 224, United Nation (UN) Regulation R108, and United Nation (UN) Regulation R109. These standards ensure that retreaded tyres undergo rigorous testing for durability and performance.

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There has been an ongoing debate about whether electric vehicle (EV) owners need to purchase tyres specifically designed for EVs. While some argue that EVs require special tyres, many EV owners find that standard tyres perform well and offer long life. Michelin, a trusted tyre manufacturer, has weighed in on this issue, dispelling the myth that EV-specific tyres are necessary, as reported by Torque News.

 

Before diving into Michelin’s stance, it’s important to understand some widely accepted facts about EVs:

  1. Weight: EVs are generally heavier than similarly sized vehicles with conventional powertrains due to their large batteries.
  2. Torque: EVs offer more torque and deliver it more smoothly than most conventionally powered vehicles.
  3. Noise: EVs are quieter inside the cabin, amplifying tyres and road noise.
  4. Efficiency: Range and efficiency are critical for many EV owners.
  5. Spare tyres: Most EV models do not come with spare tyres.

These characteristics influence tyre selection, emphasising durability, noise reduction, and efficiency. However, these needs are not exclusive to EVs; many conventional vehicles share similar requirements.

Michelin’s Perspective on EV Tyres

Michelin asserts that their latest generation of tyres are “EV Ready” and do not need to be specifically labeled as EV tyres. According to Michelin product managers, their tyres inherently possess the qualities that EV manufacturers and consumers seek, such as long wear, noise reduction, and low rolling resistance.

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When it comes to safe and enjoyable driving, the choice of tyres plays a pivotal role. Goodyear, a renowned name in the automotive industry with a history spanning 125 years, has consistently been at the forefront of tyre innovation.

With a commitment to providing products tailored to various driving needs, Goodyear introduces a range of premium tyre solutions designed to enhance the driving experience for a diverse range of vehicles and preferences in the Asia Pacific region.

Goodyear had just unveiled four new tyres: Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 for Luxury Sports, Wrangler DuraTrac RT for Premium 4×4 Off-Road, ElectricDrive, and Assurance MaxGuard for Mid Passenger. We got the opportunity to put these tyres to the test.

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With Cooper Tire having become part of its group last year, the Goodyear Tire Company has grown even bigger as one of the largest tyre corporations in the world. This has meant that Goodyear subsidiaries around the world also handle the brand besides Goodyear tyres and in Malaysia, Cooper Tires are now officially available through selected Goodyear Autocare stores nationwide.

Like Goodyear tyres, Cooper Tires have a range of products that cover a broad spectrum of vehicle types. These include tyres for 4×4 vehicles and pick-up trucks which have been designed to withstand harsh terrain and challenging conditions.

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To ensure that tyres are still suitable for road use during this festive season, Goodyear Malaysia is urging Malaysians to also obtain “new shoes” for their vehicles.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions for the past two-years, more people are taking advantage of long-distance travel this year. And with unpredictable weather to deal with, Goodyear, a company that consistently explores the possibilities of tyre technology, wants to encourage Malaysians to perform all necessary checks on their tyres.

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Goodyear Malaysia has added another choice in its Assurance range with the launch of the new Assurance ComfortTred. The new tyre is intended for use with premium and luxury passenger vehicle models (including EVs) in the local market.

With premium vehicles, there is expectation of comfort and quietness, which the Assurance ComfortTred is said to excel in, as promised with the advertising tagline of ‘Serenity Redefined’. “We believe that the new Assurance ComfortTred is a true comfort provider that enables the vehicle to become a quiet space for the riders to recharge themselves, gather their thoughts and share moments with people they cherish,” said Alex Ng, Managing Director of Goodyear Malaysia.

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Like any progressive manufacturer, Continental constantly improves its products. Not only is the upgrading only for current requirements and conditions but also with foreseeable changes in the market in future.

Following the success of its Generation 6 products, the tyremaker has now moved to Generation 7, with the first of this new generation in Malaysia being the UltraContact UC7. An all-round tyre, it prioritizes safety, with an emphasis on exceptional noise comfort and long drive life.

“The specific needs and driving habits of consumers are constantly evolving, and Continental Tyres is committed to bringing continuous innovations that meet those changing needs. We invest heavily in the development of every single product we bring to market, and the resulting UltraContact UC7 truly represents a next-generation upgrade,” said Dalibor Kalina, Head of BA Replacement Tires Asia Pacific.

Significant improvements
In comparison to the UltraContact UC6, the UltraContact UC7 has significant improvements in braking and control on wet ground, important with Malaysia’s tropical climate. Other performance aspects such as fuel efficiency, dry braking, and handling are also enhanced.

To offer the best driving experience to consumers, Continental has developed flagship technologies focusing on the unique consumer requirements for each segment. Specially tailored for the all-round segment, Confidence+ Technology combines the best of the brand’s compound technology and construction design features to create the ultimate tyre that does not compromise on any aspect of safety, comfort, handling, or mileage.

Extensive testing before launch
With on-road safety as the greatest priority, before every new tyre product goes into the market, it is subjected to test after test to ensure that its performance across all aspects meets Continental’s highest requirements.

“We take pride in our safety technologies that have been highly recognised for generations. With ‘Vision Zero’ as our top priority, we strive to achieve zero accidents, zero injuries, and zero fatalities on the road,” said Andrea Somorova, Managing Director of Continental Tyre Malaysia.

The development of the UltraContact UC7 was carried out by a worldwide team of around 25 engineers and material experts. They spent more than 9,500 hours designing, simulating, building, and testing all the prototypes with the target consumer always in mind.

During the development phase alone, Continental engineers conducted more than 850 tests under various conditions, with a combined distance that could circle the earth 12 times. As Bob Liu, Director of Continental R&D Asia Pacific, explained, “We put this tyre through rigorous rounds of testing to ensure we meet our own exacting standards and can deliver cutting-edge tyre technology to consumers. We will continue to do so as we further expand the portfolio to establish powerful, competitive offerings for the market.”

What makes it better?
Featuring the Continental ‘Diamond DNA’ – Diamond Compound, Noise Breaker 3.0 and Aqua Channel Advanced –  the new UltraContact UC7’s superior wet performance is proven by a shorter braking distance and strong grip on wet slippery roads. This is due to the Aqua Channel Advanced surface sipes on the centre part of the pattern which efficiently evacuate water to reduce the risk of hydroplaning.

Simultaneously, the innovative Noise Breaker 3.0 design with Flow X-celerator leverages the Venturi Effect principle to accelerate water flow through the groove, improving surface contact between rubber and road.

BHPetrol

Thirdly, the Diamond Compound formulation enhances the transformation of kinetic energy into heat at optimum levels, resulting in shorter braking distances – even on wet roads.

The second advantage of the UltraContact UC7 is a quieter and more harmonic drive as a result of reduced noise levels and smooth vibrational frequency. As sound waves travel through the grooves, the Noise Breaker 3.0 interrupts the waves by disrupting the homogeneity of the grooves.

The sound waves are broken up and dissipated into smaller waves, preventing noise from building up and traveling into the cabin of the car. The Diamond Compound with whisper touch also contributes to reduced noise generation by absorbing impact from the road.

The third advantage is long drive life, allow the motorist a better return on his expenditure. The Diamond Compound’s optimised polymer network provides wear resistance for long-lasting tread life.

The UltraContact UC7 is available, in sizes from 15 inches to 18 inches. It is suitable for fitment on compact and mid-size cars, MPVs, and luxury sedans. Although launched, Continental Tyres has not released the prices for the new tyres.

Goodyear Malaysia recently donated RM30,000 worth of tyres to St. John Ambulance Malaysia (SJAM) to help improve the safety of the ambulances and passengers. The tyre company has been a sponsor of the organisation since 2006 as part of its support for the local humanitarian efforts in helping Malaysians in need.

The ambulance services from St. John Ambulance Malaysia provide 24-hour response to emergency calls, including transporting COVID-19 patients. At the peak of the pandemic, St. John Ambulance Malaysia transported over 400 COVID-19 patients to the Klang Hospital.

BHPetrol

Goodyear Malaysia actively organises humanitarian initiatives to help the communities in need. Over the years, besides the St. John Ambulance, it has also supported Pertubuhan Amal Uncle Kentang Malaysia (since 2021) with tyre sponsorship of approximately 1,000 tyres in total, which were fitted to more than 50 ambulances.

About the SJAM
The SJAM has a history going back to 1885 when it was first established in the region in Singapore. Form humble beginnings with 6 out of 56 pupils passing an examination in ‘First Aid to the Injured’, the organisation has grown to over 60,000 volunteers in Malaysia.

These volunteers are found at various sporting events, festivals, parades and other functions, big or small. They also assist in disasters like floods, fires, landslides, plane crashes, etc. In total, they serve up to 3.6 million man-hours annually, providing various services.

SJAM has local 24-hour emergency as well as non-emergency ambulance services. Annually during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Chinese New Year periods, SJAM volunteers are also on standby along the North-South Highway and the Federal trunk roads. SJAM also provides community services such as haemodialysis centres, and Nursing Home.

To know more about SJAM or to find out how you can be a volunteer, visit sjam.org.my.

Goodyear Malaysia’s Worry-Free Assurance (WFA) programme has been in the market almost ten years, having been introduced in 2013. It was initially offered with just one (the Assurance TripleMax) but within a short time, other tyres in the brand’s range were also included.

The original WFA programme had a straightforward benefit: if there were damages by road hazards, there would be free tyre replacement or partial credit for purchase of new Goodyear tyres, depending on the tread depth.

Goodyear Malaysia has now made improvements to the programme with extra benefits for motorists. “Since the Malaysian government announced the endemic phase in May, the number of cars on the road has seen an increase of two-fold compared to 2019. As such, we want to encourage our customers to be aware of their vehicle tyre’s health so they can drive with peace of mind. As an advocate of on-the-road safety, we believe the new Worry-Free Assurance programme will help our customers stay safe and have an enjoyable drive for the long run,” said Alex Ng, Managing Director of Goodyear Malaysia.

Modern tyres are tough but can still be damaged by some road hazards. If that happens with Goodyear tyres, you could get a free replacement.

Added benefits for customers
The new WFA programme is available at no extra cost for all customers who purchase any new Goodyear consumer tyres and now there is no minimum purchase as a condition. However, as before, motorists who have Goodyear tyres that come fitted as standard on their new vehicle will not have WFA coverage.

Customers who register for WFA will enjoy the security of a 1-year Road Hazard Warranty from the date of purchase. They will be eligible for a free 1-to-1 exchange if tyres are damaged beyond repair caused by road hazards such as potholes and/or sharp objects during normal driving. The tyres should have a tread depth of 5.0 mm and above to qualify for the exchange. This new feature is an extension of the previous WFA with 6-month coverage with a minimum tread depth of 6.0 mm.

Free tyre safety check
The new WFA programme ensures that the tyres are in optimal condition by providing 2 free tyre safety checks. Customers may return to the original Goodyear Autocare centre where they purchased their tyres from for these safety checks on the sixth and twelfth months after the date of purchase.

Warranty up to 5 years
Goodyear Malaysia has updated their terms and condition where the 5-year limited warranty will cover 5 years from the date of purchase stated in the original invoice, instead of from the manufacturing date on the tyres. This is fairer to the customer since the tyres might not be sold immediately after they leave the factory.

However, in the event that the original invoice is not available, the limited warranty will cover the tyres from the date of manufacturing instead. Under this warranty, Goodyear also covers manufacturing defects in workmanship or materials used.

In the event that the original invoice is not available, the limited warranty will cover the tyres from the date of manufacturing instead. Under this warranty, Goodyear also covers manufacturing defects in workmanship or materials used.

Easy registration online
The process of registering for WFA is easy as it can be done online with submission of scans of the receipt and WFA card number. Each tyre purchase should come with a WFA card but if it is not available should a claim be made (or for the safety check), customers can print out the WFA online registration instead.

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