Michelin to Launch First 295/60R22.5 Multi-Purpose Tyre

In August 2009, Michelin will introduce the market’s first 295/60R22.5-size multi-purpose tyre – the Michelin X MultiWay XD for truck drive axles. With the new tyre, comments Michelin, drivers of large-capacity commercial vehicles in Europe will be able to travel safely on all types of road and in all weather conditions.

The tyres that equip large-capacity and car-carrier trucks are confronted with a range of challenges, the French tyre major notes. They must be able to travel thousands of kilometres on motorways in summer and winter, access loading areas on national and smaller roads, and sometimes make city deliveries on traffic-congested streets. At the same time, trucking companies need to be able to carry heavier loads, reduce delivery times and optimise costs, while maintaining superior safety performance.

Pointing to the tyre’s versatility, Michelin states that the Michelin X MultiWay XD is ideally suited for both road and motorway use in all weather conditions. User safety, the company adds, is enhanced thanks to a self-regenerating tread that continues to deliver superior grip even when the tyre is two-thirds used. This longevity is also beneficial in terms of per-kilometre operating costs.

The X MultiWay XD has been developed using Michelin Durable Technologies, a package of innovations that can be combined in a single tyre or selected individually depending on Michelin’s needs and expectations. The 295/60R22.5 tyre is a size generally used for large-capacity and car-carrier vehicles. With this size tyre, truck manufacturers can design vehicles whose greater height increases load-carrying capacity. Over the past five years, this segment of the road transport industry has seen unprecedented growth. This can be seen in the increased demand for low-profile tyres; sales of 295/60R22.5-size tires have nearly doubled during the period.

The Michelin X MultiWay XD is also available in sizes 315/70R22.5 and 315/60R22.5.