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The following tyre tests news, provided
by courtesy of TyrePress, may be of interest to
consumers as well as to our fleet operator customers.
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free. Tyre Tests News
23Feb06:
Our Tyres Last up to 54 per cent Longer – Michelin
Our Tyres Last up to 54 per cent Longer – Michelin
Michelin is claiming its products last longer than tyres
made by any other manufacturer. Following a rigorous
testing regime by Germany’s TUV, the French manufacturer
is claiming that its Primacy HP tyre gives at least 25
per cent longer tread life than any other competitor,
while its “Green” tyre runs for 54 per cent longer than
the worst competitor. In addition Michelin claims the
Primacy HP brakes as well in the wet after 10,000
kilometres as when brand new.
According to the company, the new Michelin Primacy HP
tyres were compared to other premium brands in the
225/55R16 95W size. Tyres & Accessories has learnt that
the other competing tyres were Bridgestone’s Turanza ER
300, Goodyear’s Excellence, the ContiSportContact 2 and
the Pirelli P7. The tyres were tested at 10,000km in
identical conditions on BMW 5-series saloons. The
research was carried out in the third quarter of 2005 at
the TUV Automotive Centre.
Michelin’s decision to publicise the direct comparisons
with its competitors is something of a departure from
the company’s previous European marketing tactics.
However, company representatives say the news is just
confirmation of the word-of-mouth knowledge that had
already been circulating in the industry for some time.
The manufacturer is now working on consumer and trade
advertising campaigns based on the test results.
In terms of driving time, the percentages Michelin has
quoted mean the nearest competitor’s tyre runs for 24
months on the road, while the Primacy HP runs for 30
months. Furthermore, Michelin claims that the Primacy
will run for a full year longer than its worst
competitor.
But why change tack and publish independent test results
now? One reason could be the poor showing of the
Michelin Energy E3A in last summer’s Auto Express tyre
tests. On this occasion Michelin’s tyre came 16th out of
19. Sources at Michelin told T&A that the TUV tests
provided the opportunity to highlight Michelin’s
strengths in wet braking and longevity. The company says
research has found that consumers are most interested in
these two areas.
The new Primacy HP tyre features a flexible casing with
a rigid tread pattern, which is designed to give a
bigger contact patch. According to the manufacturer this
particularly improves braking in the wet where the tread
design displaces water to reduce aquaplaning.
The new Michelin Primacy HP is designed for upper sector
saloons such as the Mercedes C, E and S class, the BMW
1, 3 and 5 series and the Audi A4 and A6. The Primacy HP
tyre is presently available in 16,17 and 18 inch sizes
in V, W and Y rating. Run-flat ZP (Zero Pressure)
versions are also available. |
