Hyundai Motor Group and Michelin are collaborating to develop next-generation tires optimized for premium electric vehicles (EVs). The new tires are expected to significantly improve drivers’ ride comfort by reducing vibration and noise generated by EVs at high speeds.
The announcement follows the completion of the two parties’ first partnership and will lead to the development of tires to be equipped with Hyundai’s sustainable mobility solutions.
Over the next three years, Hyundai and Michelin will jointly develop: eco-friendly tires with increased use of eco-friendly materials; tires optimised for next-generation EVs and a real-time tire monitoring system which will help advance autonomous driving technology.
The agreement is a follow-up to the first five-year partnership signed in November 2017 to jointly develop an exclusive tire for IONIQ 5 and carry out experiments and analysis methods related to tires as well as technology exchange.
Hyundai and Michelin also plan to conduct joint research to analyse tire wear, tire load and road friction beyond the current standards of tire temperature and air pressure.
Bong-soo Kim, Vice President and Head of Chassis Development Center at Hyundai Motor Group, says: “By fully leveraging our mobility technology and Michelin’s tire expertise, we are confident in our ability to achieve ground-breaking innovations in tire performance enhancement and create synergies in this organic collaboration.”
Georges Levy, Executive Vice President of Automotive Original Equipment at Michelin, adds: “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 favor 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.”
Next-generation tires resulting from the collaboration will find their way onto future premium EV models of Hyundai Motor Group.
