Hyundai, Kia join hands with Michelin to develop next-generation tyres
Seoul, November 27
Hyundai Motor and Kia have teamed up with global tyre maker Michelin to build next-generation tYres that aim to improve driving performance, fuel efficiency and safety, according to a report by Pulse, the English service of Maeil Business News Korea.
As per the report, Hyundai Motor and Kia under Hyundai Motor Group signed a memorandum of understanding at Hyundai Motor Group's Namyang research center in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province. The agreement sets up a three-year plan starting next year for joint work on new tyre technologies. Their main goal is to lower rolling resistance to help cars use less fuel and to improve handling and braking so vehicles can respond better while driving.
Hyundai Motor Group and Michelin earlier worked together in 2017 and 2022 on advanced tyre research. Those efforts included developing tyre specifications for rear-wheel-drive electric vehicles and studying tyre wear. The new plan builds on those earlier projects and aims to push the research further by adding virtual simulation tools to the process.
"Through the third phase of technological collaboration with Michelin, we expect to achieve tyre technology innovations that will lead the future mobility market," the report quoted Shin Yong-suk, vice president and head of Genesis Engineering Design Center at Hyundai Motor Group. "By leveraging the specialized capabilities of both companies in mobility and tyre technologies, we will create a synergistic effect that will ultimately translate into improved driving performance."
Hyundai Motor Group has been trying to secure stronger tyre technology as part of its wider strategy to raise the value of its premium vehicles. The report noted that the group recently secured core technology for ultra-low-rolling-resistance tyres, known as ULRR tyres. These tyres help a vehicle move forward with less wasted energy.
Hyundai's technology division worked on tyre development for the facelifted Kia Sorento hybrid model over three years from 2022 and reached a rolling resistance coefficient of 5.5, which the report said represents leading mass-production technology.
Better tyres can also help electric vehicles run longer on a single charge, a key point as global demand for EVs grows.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As a Hyundai owner, I'm excited about this collaboration. Michelin tyres are known for quality, and combined with Hyundai's engineering, this could really improve driving experience. The focus on EV range is particularly important as more Indians consider electric vehicles.
While this sounds promising, I hope these "next-generation" tyres will be affordable for Indian consumers. Often such collaborations result in premium products that only luxury car buyers can afford. The real test will be when these reach mass-market vehicles.
Lower rolling resistance means better mileage - that's music to Indian ears! With fuel prices constantly rising, any technology that helps save petrol/diesel is much needed. Hope Indian manufacturers also focus on similar innovations. ðŸ‘
Good to see continuous innovation in tyre technology. The mention of improved braking performance is crucial for Indian driving conditions where sudden stops are common. Safety should always be the top priority.
Interesting development! The three-year timeline suggests we might see these in production vehicles by 2027. Curious to see how these perform in Indian monsoon conditions and on our varied road surfaces. Tyre technology has come a long way!
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