Hyundai and Michelin continue their partnership

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors, in collaboration with Michelin, will continue to develop tires with improved performance, and a corresponding memorandum of understanding was signed on November 24 at the automaker's research center in Hwaseong (Gyeonggi Province, South Korea). The document was signed by Shin Yong Suk, head of the Genesis design center, and Georges Lévy, vice president of Michelin's Asia-Pacific region, responsible for supplies to the original equipment sector.

This is the third cooperation agreement, with the first two signed in 2017 and 2022. Under the terms of the new memorandum, the parties will conduct research in the field of improving tire performance, as well as developing virtual simulation technologies and exchanging technological resources over the next three years.

In particular, tires with reduced rolling resistance, as well as improved handling and braking performance, will be developed, while new simulation technologies should help create optimized tires for off-road use. In addition, Hyundai and Kia will conduct training courses for Michelin specialists on the work of the vehicle chassis, and tire manufacturers' experts will share knowledge from their area of competence.

"We expect that in the third stage of technical cooperation, advanced innovations in the field of tires and future mobility will be created," said Shin. "Our capabilities in tire and vehicle development will be combined to significantly improve the performance of vehicles."

It is also noted that in the first two stages of the partnership, significant results were achieved, and, for example, tires were developed that are optimally suitable for rear-wheel drive electric vehicles, and research was conducted to reduce tire wear and increase their environmental friendliness.