Hyundai Motor Group and French tyre manufacturer Michelin have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with an objective to develop next-generation tyres to be used in premium electric vehicles (EVs).
The new MoU comes after the completion of the two firm’s maiden partnership launched in 2017, which among others, involved co-developing an exclusive tyre for IONIQ 5.
Hyundai Motor and Michelin will now develop tyres that will be equipped with the former’s clean, smart, and sustainable mobility solutions.
Hyundai Motor Group vice president and chassis development centre head Bong-soo Kim said: “This partnership with Michelin will result in real innovations in tyre technology, solidifying Hyundai Motor Group’s position as a leader in the smart mobility industry.
“By fully leveraging our mobility technology and Michelin’s tire expertise, we are confident in our ability to achieve ground-breaking innovations in tyre performance enhancement and create synergies in this organic collaboration.”
During the next three years, Hyundai Motor and Michelin will collaborate on developing eco-friendly tyres with greater use of eco-friendly materials.
The tyres will be optimised for next-generation EVs.
Besides, the partners plan to develop a real-time tyre monitoring system to help advance autonomous driving technology.
Michelin automotive original equipment executive vice president Georges Levy said: “The collaboration between Hyundai Motor Group and Michelin over the past five years contributed to the successful launch of the Hyundai IONIQ 5. We are pleased to announce that the relationship has been extended for three more years to continue our work together on new technologies in favour of safer, cleaner mobility.
“The association between Hyundai Motor Group and Michelin is founded on the same vision and on a shared passion for excellence, performance and innovation that have become increasingly essential factors as we rise to the mobility-related challenges we all face today.”
The partners also intend to carry out joint research for analysing tyre wear, tyre load, and road friction beyond the present standards of air pressure and tyre temperature.
The new tyres to be developed by the two firms are also expected to considerably enhance the ride comfort of drivers by lowering vibration and noise produced by EVs at high speeds.
Additionally, Hyundai Motor and Michelin will explore methods to ramp up the use of eco-friendly materials in tyres to nearly 50% of the total tyre weight from what is currently at 20%.