Tyre industry pioneers, Michelin has a long history. Having begun in 1889, Michelin is now the second-largest tyre manufacturer in the world after Bridgestone and larger than both Goodyear and Contineantal.
Michelin is to invest a further £14.5 million into its Northern Ireland manufacturing facility. According to the Northern Ireland News Letter the company intends to make its Ballymena site the largest truck and bus tyre plant in the UK.
A recent issue of Automotive News has reported that the 2005 Honda Odyssey will use Michelin PAX run flat tyres. It is not yet known whether run flat tyres will be fitted as standard or will only be used on the higher end EX and Touring models. At the same time, it is reported that Toyota Sienna minivans are using Bridgestone’s rival RFT system.
Michelin is to invest $31 million (£17 million) in plans to upgrade and expand production at its Bridgewater and Waterville tyre plants situated in Nova Scotia, according to the Nova Scotia Economic Development Ministry, which is providing $3 million to help secure the project.
High-speed action on gravel roads was the order of the day, at this weekend’s WRC race in Finland. The double world champion Marcus Grönholm and his new Peugeot 307 CC drove in a league of their own, won, and putting Grönholm back in contention for the title.
Michelin, as one of the race series’ two tyre suppliers, occupied the further places with Ford driver Markko Märtin and Citroën star Carlo Sainz. The victory Champagne must have tasted particularly sweet, since it was the seventh season victory for Michelin. The win also represents the first World Rally Championship triumph for the new Peugeot. Current champion, Petter Solberg and his Subaru (on Pirelli tyres) fell at the first hurdle, having an accident on the first day.
Hi-Q Tyre Services has appointed Naithan Keeping to the role of fleet director. Mr Keeping, 31, joins the Goodyear Dunlop retail network, from ATS, where he was fleet sales director.
In the 1st half of 2004, Michelin further improved its market position. Its continuous efforts to improve efficiency and successful price increases enabled the group to offset continually rising raw material costs and double income net to 328.9 million euros.
Following the consolidation of its car, van and truck divisions into one single company, ATS Euromaster Ltd has strengthened its national and divisional sales teams by appointing two new directors. Martin Saint will become national sales director and Robert Blaikie has been appointed divisional sales director.
Michelin’s winter tyres have come out on top in a survey conducted into customer satisfaction in Japan.
Research company, J.D Power Asia Pacific, performed the study, which showed of the five tyre brands ranked by the customers, Michelin scored highest with 655 out of a maximum of 1,000 points. The overall industry average is 586.
Formula 1 tyre producers, Bridgestone and Michelin, provided the all important tyres for an event promoting the possibility of a London Grand Prix. The companies were part of a convoy that drove into London under Police escort on Monday night.
“Something like this takes a minimum of 18 months’ planning, so you’re most probably talking two years away.” London mayor, Ken Livingstone told the BBC. One suggested race route would “centre on Hyde Park Corner and Park Lane” and would involve cornering that would stretch the F1 tyre compounds to the limit.
Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya lent his support saying: “I’ve raced in a lot of street circuits in America and they test the teams and drivers more. To bring Formula One to people would be a really good thing.”
Former world champion, Nigel Mansell and future hope Jenson Button also supported the proposed London Grand Prix.
The Bridgestone Potenza equipped Ferraris of Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello successfully reclaimed the French Grand Prix crown as they claimed first and third places respectively. Fernando Alonso’s Michelin running Renault took second place.
The 2005 season will see the introduction of new regulations governing competition vehicles. The FIA has assigned experts to ensure that speeds will be reduced in the next Formula 1 season. The decision will also lead to further rules regarding tyres.
Michelin has launched the new Pilot Activ as a replacement to part of its existing Macadam 50 range of motorcycle tyres.
According to Michelin the new belted crossply tyre with sports-orientated tread pattern, “offers improved manoeuvrability, better dry and wet grip, higher mileage, and improved rider comfort,” compared with the Macadam 50.
The new tyre’s tread pattern features an optimised void ratio which puts four per cent more rubber on the road compared with a Macadam 50 of the same size. Which in turn improves grip, tyre life and contributes to better stability.
To achieve the improvements Michelin revised the recently developed casing construction to improve grip in all weather conditions.
The tyre is available in seven front sizes and six rears and in H and V speed ratings.
Renault’s F1 test driver Franck Montagny accomplished Michelin tyre tests this week in Barcelona. At first the Michelin tyres were only tested regarding compounds, later different tyre constructions were added to the programme. According to chief test engineer, Christian Silk, a few improvements were found in the tyres.
Michelin & Cie., one of Europe’s largest tyre makers, is set to open a tyre plant in Russia on 7 July. Both Interfax and The Moscow Times reported the information, citing an official at the company’s press service in Paris, who stated that the plant, based in the Moscow region, will produce 2 million car tyres a year. The company intends to expand this capacity to 6.5 million next year. The press service source said Michelin is investing $160 million in the plant.
Michelin, based in Clermont-Ferrand, France, planned to borrow $20 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for the Russian factory two years ago, on the understanding that the EBRD had would have a 49 per cent stake in the plant.
Renault has produced a concept car, which could be seen as precursor to a Laguna Coupé. The “Fluence” uses 22 inch (245-710 R560) Michelin PAX tyres. The tyres fit to wheels produced by aluminium cast wheel producer, Montupet that feature spokes designed to reduce air resistance.
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