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.
ATS Euromaster has renewal its SafeContractor accreditation for the eighth year running. The accreditation, first awarded to ATS Euromaster in 2009, means the tyre and vehicle maintenance specialist can instantly comply with the health and safety requirements of many clients, simplifying the procurement process for potential customers.
Michelin has launched Click2Sell – a website solution the company refers to as “a flexible ‘website in a box’ that helps dealers build their online presence and attract new customers with ease”.
While wholesalers have done similar things, Click2Sell is believed to be the only tyre manufacturer-backed website-building package to allow dealerships in the UK and Ireland the freedom to promote their chosen tyre range online. And, what’s more, the range can be either primarily Michelin tyres or a premium competitor. Click2Sell is open to any dealership.
Michelin will supply Pilot Sport 4 tyres to all 1,955 production models of the Alpine A110 First Edition. Exhibited at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, the car is fitted with 205/40ZR18 front and 235/40ZR18 rear sizes. The Pilot Sport 4s were designed to complement the character of the car, with Michelin’s engineers completing the development process over two years and more than 3,000km on tracks including the Michelin Technology Center in Ladoux, Charade Circuit in France and at Idiada in Spain.
Michelin will start the process of replacing its most popular heavy truck tyre range on the Birmingham HEC’s stand 5A45 with the international debut of the all-new X Multi tyre line-up at the CV Show. The manufacturer states that its tests show the next-generation delivers 15-20 per cent more mileage than the current Michelin X MultiWay 3D series. The tyre is designed to deliver the lowest cost per kilometre with grip in all weather conditions. The new tyres will initially be available from April in 315/70 R 22.5 all-position and drive fitments, alongside 385/55 R 22.5 steer and trailer tyres. Additional sizes will follow later this year.
Renault Trucks has introduced Urban Lab 2 – its distribution concept vehicle – at this year’s Pollutec at Lyon’s Eurexpo exhibition centre until December 2 2016. Developed with six partners under the collaborative Efficient Distribution Truck (EDIT) project, the vehicle combines innovative technology in aerodynamics, hybridisation of the engine, tyres and vehicle-infrastructure communication to achieve potential fuel savings of up to 13 per cent. Having partnered Renault on its Optifuel Lab 1 and 2 projects, Michelin is developing energy-saving tyres.
Although the overall UK market for motorcycle tyres was largely flat in 2016, James Dimmock says Michelin had a fantastic year – and is looking to continue this into 2017. The enthusiasm relayed by the two-wheel marketing manager for the UK, Ireland, the Nordic countries and Russia stems from the introduction of several key products, Michelin’s rider education programmes and its upcoming second season as MotoGP tyre supplier.
Four in every five new Porsche 911 GT3s will be fitted with specially-developed Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 N1 ultra-high-performance tyres, in 245/35 ZR20 front and 305/30 ZR20 rear sizes. The road-legal track tyre is a specially modified version developed as part of the ongoing technical partnership of the German car maker and Michelin – designated by the N1 marking. Compared to its N0 marked predecessor, Michelin says the Pilot Sport Cup 2 N1 offers improved lap times and stability, as well as more sporty handling. The new 911 GT3 was launched by Porsche at the Geneva Motor Show.
The Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar will roll on Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres in 265/35ZR20 front and 325/30ZR21 rear sizes. Michelin said the tyre “blurs the line between motorsport and road tyres”, as the latest generation of road-legal track tyres designed for UHP cars that are used on road and track. The Valkyrie’s high-power, high-downforce, low-weight philosophy represents Aston Martin’s attempt to redefine the limits of road car performance, and will put “unprecedented demands on its tyres”.
Michelin’s popular – some would even say trend-setting – CrossClimate tyre is now available to a wide range of SUVs and 4x4s.
The Michelin CrossClimate was the world’s first summer tyre to achieve the 3PMSF winter accreditation, and it has won a string of awards since its launch.
Michelin’s new X Force ZL for military and civilian all-terrain trucks boast the highest tyre load-carrying capacity on the market. The product, suitable for such vehicles as airport fire tenders, will therefore receive a significant payload advantage when fitting the deep tread tyres.
The tyre described as a “game changer” when awarded a SIMA Innovation Gold Medal last November has now been launched at the Paris agribusiness fair. This game changing product is the Michelin EvoBib, a ‘2 in 1 tyre’ containing patented tread pattern and casing technology that enables the tyre’s shape and profile to change according to inflation pressure.
Andy Fern has joined Kwik-Fit as fleet sales director following an 18-year career with Michelin, most recently as national fleet sales manager. He replaces Peter Lambert who has retired after seven years as Kwik-Fit GB fleet director. Meanwhile, Simon Lucas has been promoted to the new role of customer support director of Kwik Fit GB. This role includes responsibility for Kwik-Fit Mobile, numbering some 200 vehicles, and the management of the company’s Customer Support Centre in Tannochside, Scotland, serving both fleet and retail customers. Both Fern and Lucas will report directly to Kwik-Fit GB managing director Kenji Murai.
The North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust has fit Michelin’s CrossClimate+ to its 160-strong rapid response paramedic fleet of Škoda Octavias and Volkswagen Passats. The tyre is designed to match high performance summer competitors, but with winter capabilities, enhancing safety, longevity and durability.
McGill’s Buses has signed a five-year extension to its Michelin solutions tyre management programme. The fleet operator said Michelin solutions’ “fantastic support” was a key factor in its decision to renew. The Effitires contract covers the operator’s 400-plus single and double-decker buses, and will see Michelin solutions supply, fit and service the operator’s Michelin tyres.
Michelin reports having met its financial objectives in 2016 and its chief executive officer considers the year “a successful milestone in our strategic roadmap.” The tyre maker’s sales volumes increased 2.1 per cent during the year, outperforming the market, and an increase in operating and net income was also recorded.
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