Accidental damage guarantee an industry first, says Michelin

Claiming a UK and Irish truck tyre market first, Michelin has introduced a six-month accidental damage warranty with every replacement market purchase of its new X Works tyre before the end of May 2012. The tyre maker says it took the decision to introduce this warranty as it is “so confident” of the tyre’s robustness. Purchasers wishing to register their tyres under the free guarantee must either download the form from the X Works microsite at http://xworks.michelintransport.co.uk or contact their local Michelin account manager.

The 315/80 R 22.5 tyre is available as either an all-round X Works XZY fitment, or as the drive-axle specific X Works XDY. Michelin comments that the tyre was purpose-designed to increase endurance and can be used in harsh conditions, such as construction sites, landfills and quarries as well as on the road – making it ideal for tippers, mixers and hooklifts, the manufacturer adds.

“There’s a common misconception that if a truck is being used in an environment with increased risk of damage, there’s no point investing in a quality tyre,” said Martin Covington, Michelin’s head of Truck and Earthmover Marketing. “As a result, some fleets will buy budget tyres and pay more in the long-term owing to frequent downtime, expensive repairs and reduced tyre life. If you invest in a quality tyre, such as the Michelin X Works, tyre-related vehicle downtime will reduce and the life of the tyre itself will increase – this will result in lower bills.

“We are launching this tyre guarantee to demonstrate the confidence we have in our product,” Covington added. “We know the economic climate is tough, but if fleets invest a little more up front, they can enjoy the benefits Michelin tyres deliver throughout their longer life. It will prove to be an all-round better tyre fitment for their business.”

Michelin says the X Works tyre has been designed to improve resistance to accidental damage and increase mileage potential, even when being used in harsh conditions. The casing and compounds used are said to have been designed to better resist cuts and impacts, while the X Works XDY also features a chambered tread block design and compact central tread pattern to improve resistance to tread tearing. Other X works features Michelin points out are its wider tread grooves that improve water evacuation, its self-cleaning properties in muddy conditions and V-shaped tread grooves that vary in width and pitch to help reduce stone retention.

The Michelin X Works XZY and XDY are both M + S marked.