Hyundai Motor and Kia have been busy of late. In addition to announcing their new Universal Wheel Drive System, the vehicle makers say they’ve developed a new snow chain-integrated tyre technology that eliminates the need to fit a vehicle with snow chains. The technology uses shape memory alloy modules located inside the wheel and tyre that protrude to act as a ‘snow chain’ when an electrical signal is received.
The No Problem Kit brand distributed by Mak SPA has introduced a line of anti-slip devices for cars called NPK Snow Socks Multigrip, a technical fabric-based alternative to chains that is joined by two other kits (EZ Repair and Spare Wheel Kit) in the range.
Michelin will showcase its non-tyre vehicle accessories at Automechanika in Frankfurt (13-17 September 2022, Stand D88 in Hall 12.1). The brand had 52 licensees in around 130 countries in 2021, together selling more than 31 million Michelin branded products. Michelin says that this puts Michelin Lifestyle Limited at number 46 in a ranking of the world’s most successful licensors. Highlights of the Michelin Automechanika stand will include high-pressure washers, Michelin Eco cleaning and car care products, the new Michelin Jump Starter range, windscreen wipers, snow chains, car mats, and hydraulic vehicle jacks capable of lifting up to three metric tons, making them particularly suitable for SUVs.
The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) published the new European Standard EN16662-1:2020 for supplementary grip devices on 27 May 2020, which covers not only metal snow chains but also devices made from other materials. On 27 September AutoSock announced that its textile alternative for cars and light commercial vehicles to 3.5 tons was the first and is currently the only product worldwide to be certified according to the new European Standard. As a result, it will be a regulatory approved alternative to snow chains in all EU countries effective 1 December 2020.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.
Michelin
AutoSock