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Michelin to Produce Durable Airless Tire in Future

Michelin Top Ranked Tire Manufacturer in New J. D. Powers Study

The day after consumers rated Michelins tires above all others in J. D. Powers and Associates 2004 Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study, released Monday, the tire manufacturer debuted a revolutionary new airless tire.

Compressed air has been the backbone of the tire industry since pneumatic or inflatable tires were invented, a discovery that predates the automobile depending on which inventor gets credited. Most accounts give title to Scottish veterinarian John Boyd Dunlop, who invented the first practical pneumatic tire, first used on bicycles and patented in 1888. Robert William Thomson, however, invented the first vulcanized rubber pneumatic tire, patented in 1845. While his invention worked well it was too costly for accepted widespread use.

The airless tire, specifically designed to withstand the harsh

Say goodbye to the classic compressed air tire in areas where rough roads are prevalent, that is if Michelin engineers have their way and continue development of the revolutionary new "airless" Tweel tire. (Photo: Michelin)

road conditions of growing markets such as China and India, will not puncture. In a similar fashion to how automakers unveil concept vehicles at the worlds top-tier auto shows, Michelin has chosen its home market Paris Motor Show to debut the new conceptual "Airless Wheel" and "Tweel" tires, products it hopes to have ready for sale in approximately 10 years. The auto show opens to the press this Thursday and for the public on Saturday.

The new wheels and tires, which Michelin has stated it wants to make adaptable to "motorcycles, cars and heavier vehicles," are produced out of elastic, meaning

Michelin has stated it wants to make the airless tires available for "motorcycles, cars and heavier vehicles". (Photo: Michelin)

they can absorb shock at higher rates than pneumatic tires while allowing for a smoother ride over rough road surfaces.

"There is a robustness that is especially designed for fast-growing markets, like China and India, where the roads and infrastructure are not as well developed as ours," commented Didier Miraton, head of research and development at Michelin.

Miraton added that designs for future wheel and tire packages, such as the Airless Wheel and Tweel tire, could use a wider range of materials, which would make Michelin less reliant on natural rubber, an expensive component incorporated into all tires currently available.

No doubt Michelin feels it can overcome the general reaction for elastic to bounce, which would be cause for instability when applied to

Michelin claims the new airless wheel and Tweel tire package will be ready for market by 2014. (Photo: Michelin)

car tires. Miraton did not comment on this issue, but said that the Tweed tire would improve reaction to road conditions and especially when turning corners.

Between now and 2014, when Michelin believes its new tire technology will be ready for primetime, it will remain the brand of choice among consumers. Proof of this comes via J.D. Power and Associates 2004 Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study, which placed Michelin North America Inc. products in the topmost position within three of four segments.

Altogether, 14 tire suppliers were included in the study that surveyed in excess of 31,000 new-car customers in the U.S. who purchased their vehicles in 2002 and 2003. The research firm rated tiremakers in four segments: pickup/full-size van, SUV, luxury/sport and non-luxury. Customer satisfaction was ranked by tire appearance, handling, traction, and durability.

Michelin ranked on top in all but the pickup/full-size

The lovable Bibendum "Michelin Man" won the distinction of the "Best Logo of the Century" in 2000. (Photo: Michelin)

van segment, in which Goodyear took first place. Still, a third place finish in the pickup/full-size van segment is nothing to be concerned over. The French tire manufacturer missed the second placement because of a strong showing from BF Goodrich.

Of interest, the J. D. Power study also deduced that about 19 percent of all surveyed experienced problems with tires in the first year of purchasing their vehicles.

Knowledge of such poor statistics from rival tire manufacturers will only bolster the French tiremakers hold on the market, and make the lovable Bibendum "Michelin Man" smile even wider.

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