GQEBERHA, South Africa, October 10, 2025 – The BMW X3 has secured the prestigious title of 2025 South African Car of the Year, a milestone celebrated not only by BMW Group South Africa but also by its trusted partners, including Continental Tyre South Africa (CTSA). Produced at BMW’s renowned Rosslyn Plant in Pretoria, the X3 continues to impress both locally and abroad, with exports reaching key markets such as Europe, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
As a long-standing partner of BMW SA, Continental plays a pivotal role in equipping the X3 with tyres engineered to meet the vehicle’s premium performance and safety standards. Currently, Continental supplies approximately 50% of the tyres fitted to locally produced X3 models, drawing on its global production network in Portugal (Lousado), Slovakia (Puchov), and Germany (Korbach).
The G45 generation X3, which entered production in 2024, benefits from Continental’s diverse fitment portfolio. This includes eight different tyre sizes designed for both internal-combustion and plug-in hybrid variants, featuring the premium EcoContact 6 Q* and SportContact 7* ranges. These tyres deliver a refined balance of efficiency, driving dynamics, and safety, aligning seamlessly with BMW’s hallmark standards.
Notably, Continental is the exclusive supplier of the 20-inch SportContact 7 high-performance tyres for select X3 derivatives. Each of these tyres carries BMW’s distinctive “*” marking, denoting original-equipment approval and full compliance with the manufacturer’s demanding ride and handling specifications.
“BMW’s success in the 2025 South African Car of the Year Awards is a proud moment for the local automotive industry,” said Dustine Gascoyne, Market Manager at Continental Tyre South Africa. “Continental is honoured to support BMW Group South Africa through our continued partnership, supplying tyres that complement the X3’s hallmark blend of comfort, agility, and safety.”
Continental’s collaboration with BMW SA dates back to 2018 with the previous-generation G01 X3 and has expanded alongside the model’s evolution, ensuring that each new generation continues to deliver on performance and driving enjoyment.
Continental Tyre Fitments for BMW X3 (G45)
| Tyre Size | Model | Production Plant | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 245/50 R19 105Y XL FR | EcoContact 6 Q * | Lousado (Portugal) | – |
| 255/40 R21 102Y XL | EcoContact 6 Q * | Lousado (Portugal) | – |
| 285/35 R21 105Y XL | EcoContact 6 Q * | Lousado (Portugal) | – |
| 255/45 R20 105Y XL FR | SportContact 7 * | Puchov (Slovakia) | Exclusive 20-inch fitment |
| 285/40 R20 108Y XL FR | SportContact 7 * | Puchov (Slovakia) | Exclusive 20-inch fitment |
| 225/60 R18 104Y XL | EcoContact 6 Q * | Korbach (Germany) | – |
| 255/45 R20 105Y XL FR | EcoContact 6 Q * | Korbach (Germany) | – |
| 285/40 R20 108Y XL FR | EcoContact 6 Q * | Korbach (Germany) | – |
With this recognition, the BMW X3 not only reinforces its status as a segment leader in South Africa but also highlights the role of high-quality tyre partnerships in delivering an unmatched driving experience. Continental Tyre South Africa remains committed to supporting premium mobility solutions, ensuring that vehicles like the X3 continue to set benchmarks in performance, safety, and innovation.
