Michelin Changes the Dialogue Around Worn Tires At NAIAS

Returning as the exclusive tire sponsor of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit for the 30th consecutive year, Michelin will highlight its commitment to sustainable mobility with a focus on the safety, financial and environmental benefits of worn tire performance.

WHO: Scott Clark, recently appointed as chairman and president of Michelin North America

WHEN:  Tuesday, Jan. 16, at 9:35 a.m. EST

WHERE: Michelin’s exhibit in Hall A at Detroit’s Cobo Center.

WHAT:

• Clark will introduce Michelin’s global initiative to improve understanding among dealers, drivers and others about worn tire performance. Currently, the industry standard is to test performances (especially braking distances) only for new tires. However, those attributes change as tires wear over time and some worn tires deliver braking performance that’s about the same or better than other new tires. Michelin supports testing of worn tires for wet-braking performance to make this insight about “long-lasting performance” more visible to consumers.

• The Koenigsegg Agera RS that recently set a world speed record will be publicly displayed for the first time, including the original MICHELIN® Pilot® Sport Cup 2 tires that set the record.

• Appearing for the first time in North America, Michelin will preview the Maxion Flexible Wheel assembly with Michelin Acorus technology. MICHELIN’s Acorus technology reinvents the wheel, helping to eliminate costly damage from potholes and road debris to tires and rims in larger sizes on high-performance or luxury passenger vehicles. The patented new technology was developed in collaboration with Maxion Wheels, the largest global wheel manufacturer.

• The VISION tire concept is Michelin’s airless, organic, rechargeable and connected tire designed to meet sustainable mobility demands of future motorists. MICHELIN’s Vision concept recently was selected as one of TIME Magazine’s “25 Best Inventions of 2017.”

• Michelin swept the industry’s top honors for original quality in the Luxury, Passenger Car, Truck/Utility and Performance Sport segments of the 2017 J.D. Power Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study. Michelin has received an all-time total of 84 quality awards since the J.D. Power tire study began in 1989.