“At Michelin, we believe the electric powertrain will develop”
Credit: Michelin

At this year’s North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), Michelin detailed its view of the future of automotive transportation and the role tires will play in meeting the unique demands of more environmentally positive vehicles featuring their advanced technology.

Three important points Michelin brought up were:

1. We must improve road safety
2. Increase fuel efficiency and thereby reducing CO2 emissions
3. We must integrate the new reality that growth markets will be in highly urbanized areas

Michelin strongly believes that their EV Concept Tire – the Michelin Active Wheel – is paving the way for Electric Vehicles around the world in one form or another. The Michelin Active Wheel features an electric drive motor, in-wheel active suspension and disc brakes and creates excellent road handling and acceleration.

Michelin North America has been awarded Ford Motor Company’s highest honor for Corporate Responsibility at the 11th Annual World Excellence Awards. Michelin is one of 36 production and non-production suppliers Ford is recognizing in 2009 for helping the company achieve superior quality, delivery, and cost performance and for initiatives that improve customer satisfaction.

The Recognition of Achievement-Corporate Responsibility award was presented to Michelin for demonstrating innovation in reducing the environmental impact of Ford’s products and for leadership in three key areas:

1. corporate governance,
2. human rights and working conditions, and
3. environmental and social considerations in business.

In accepting the award, Jan Skinner, Michelin North America’s VP of global sales-passenger car and light truck original equipment tires, said,

Tiremaker receives award for innovative employee wellness program from the Nat’l Business Group on Health

Michelin North America has been honored by the National Business Group on Health as one of the nation’s leading corporations for innovative programs promoting a healthy workplace and for helping its employees and their families to make better choices about their own health and well-being, the company announced today.

Michelin was among 63 companies that received the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles award at the National Business Group on Health’s annual health care summit in Washington, DC. Michelin received a Silver Award for the design and concept of its Choose Well-Live Well program. This is the first year Michelin has been selected for this award.

The U.S. Department of Transportation today proposed a new, consumer-friendly replacement tire label which would include, for the first time, information about the tire’s impact on fuel economy and CO2 emission reductions. Tires with lower rolling resistance – and proper inflation pressure – can contribute to improved fuel economy.

“Our proposal would let consumers look at a single label and compare a tire’s overall performance as it relates to fuel economy, safety and durability.” – U.S. Trans. Sec. Ray LaHood.

In addition to the new fuel efficiency ratings, the proposal by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also would provide consumers with two other key pieces of tire performance information – wet weather traction and tread wear. All three ratings would be prominently displayed on a removable label attached to the replacement tire at the point of sale.