Michelin to introduce Energy Saver tyres later this year

Geneva, Switzerland - Michelin plans to introduce a range of Energy Saver tyres this Autumn, in time for the Paris Motor Show scheduled for the first two weeks of October 2006. Didier Miraton, head of innovation at Michelin told reporters that the tyre can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 4g/km/vehicle, but he did not say what the saving compared against.

The company said many of the ideas shown in its Proxima concept tyre would be included in the Energy Saver product range. Information supplied to the press said the Proxima tyres produce 25 percent less rolling resistance than the current Michelin Energy range, at 6.5 kg/tonne and they weigh 20 percent less. The notes added that Michelin first put these tyres on a vehicle four years ago, in April 2002.

A Michelin spokesman said the Proxima has been around for a number of years and is designed with no other goal in mind apart from minimising rolling resistance.

During a presentation at the Geneva event, Miraton repeated the message he gave at the Geneva motor show in 2005.