Michelin Malaysia telah memberi jaminan kepada pasaran bahawa semua tayar dalam portfolionya sesuai untuk kenderaan elektrik (EV). Apa maksudnya? Ia bermaksud anda boleh menggunakan mana-mana tayar mereka pada kenderaan elektrik tanpa sebarang masalah.
Kenapa ini penting? Kenderaan elektrik pada umumnya lebih berat daripada kereta biasa, jadi tayar mengalami tekanan yang berbeza. Beban yang lebih berat bermaksud tayar perlu lebih kuat untuk menahan segala daya yang diletakkan padanya, bahkan semasa berhenti.
Satu perkara lagi, EV mempunyai pecutan yang lebih kuat, dan ini juga menyebabkan tayar mengalami lebih banyak kerosakan.
Dengan permintaan untuk EV semakin meningkat, Michelin menganggap baik untuk mengesahkan pasaran bahawa tayar mereka sentiasa bersedia untuk EV dan dilengkapi dengan teknologi tayar yang tersendiri untuk memberi tawaran nilai terbaik.
Ini bukan perkara baru bagi Michelin, sebenarnya pengeluar tayar ini mempunyai rekod keunggulan yang terbukti dalam memenuhi keperluan prestasi EV, termasuk faktor seperti rintangan bergolek, prestasi jangka panjang, kapasiti beban, dan operasi yang senyap juga. Oleh itu, tayar Michelin menyediakan pemilik EV keseimbangan prestasi, ketahanan, dan nilai terbaik.
Michelin juga mencatatkan prestasi yang luar biasa pada tahun 2023, dengan pendapatan operasi mencapai jumlah tertinggi sepanjang masa sebanyak US$3.85 bilion. Menariknya, sepertiga daripada jumlah itu digunakan semula untuk penyelidikan dan pembangunan tayarnya.
Di Malaysia, pilihan tayar Michelin yang paling popular adalah yang berukuran 18-inci dan lebih besar dalam segmen Kereta Penumpang. Ini telah meningkat dua kali ganda dalam saiz dalam lima tahun terakhir, dan disebabkan oleh populariti yang semakin meningkat bagi SUV di pasaran Malaysia.
Untuk menyokong popularitinya yang semakin meningkat di pasaran Malaysia, Michelin memperluas Pusat Pakar dan saluran pengedaran dan kini mempunyai 211 lokasi di seluruh Malaysia. Ia juga mengesahkan semula komitmennya kepada komuniti pemandu motosikal Malaysia dengan pengenalan tiga model baru, yang anda boleh baca di sini. Selain itu, Michelin juga memperkenalkan rangkaian tayarnya untuk basikal Velo.
Pada intinya, pendekatan global Michelin adalah kelestarian menyeluruh, dengan prinsip People, Profit, and Planet, sebagai prinsip panduan yang akan dicapai pada tahun 2030. Michelin terus memastikan bahawa setiap produk yang diperkenalkan adalah berpusat pada orang, mencipta nilai, dan mampan pada tahun 2024.
Michelin Malaysia has reassured the market that all of the tyres in its product portfolio are EV ready. What that means is that you can quite literally use any of their tyres on an electric vehicle without any issue.
Why is that an issue? Well, electric vehicles are generally heavier than their internal combustion counterparts and as such the tyres face different forms of abuse. The heavier load means the tyres need to be stronger to resist all of the forces a car puts on it, even when stationary.
The other thing is that EV’s have stronger acceleration, and that too subjects a tyre to a higher degree of wear and tear.
With demand for EV’s on the rise, Michelin though it best to affirm the market that their tyres have always been EV-ready and are equipped with their inherent tyre technology to provide the best value for money proposition.
This is not something new for Michelin, in fact, the tyre manufacturer has a proven track record of excellence in meeting the performance requirements of EV’s, including factors like rolling resistance, long-term performance, load capacity, and quite operation as well. As such, Michelin’s tyres provide EV owners the optimal balance of performance, durability and value for money.
Michelin has also enjoyed remarkable performance in the year 2023, with operating income reaching an all-time high of US$3.85 billion. Interestingly, a third of that was reinvested into research and development of its tyres.
In Malaysia, the most popular choice of Michelin tyres are those measuring in at 18-inches and above in the Passenger Cars segment, which has doubled in size over the past five years. This is down to the increasing popularity of SUVs in the Malaysian market.
To support its increasing popularity in the Malaysian market, Michelin expanded its Expert Centre and distribution channels and now boasts 211 locations around Malaysia. It has also reaffirmed its commitment to the Malaysian motorcycling community with the introduction of three new models, which you can read about here. Besides that, Michelin has also introduced its Velo range of bicycle tyres.
At the core of Michelin’s global all-sustainable approach, with People, Profit and Planet, as its guiding principle to be achieved by 2030. Michelin continues to ensure that each innovated product is people-centric, value-creating, and sustainable in 2024.
Michelin Malaysia teruja untuk mengumumkan Promosi Hari Raya 2024, dengan mempelawa para pelanggan untuk meraikan musim lebaran ini dengan ganjaran yang menarik, yang sekali gus dapat menaik taraf pengalaman memandu mereka.
Promosi ini akan berlangsung dari 11 Mac hingga 12 Mei 2024. Pelanggan yang membeli minimum dua (2) hingga empat (4) unit model tayar Kereta Penumpang, SUV, atau Trak Ringan Komersial Michelin dengan saiz 15” dan ke atas akan menerima Pulangan Tunai e-Dompet (GrabFood E-code atau PIN Tambah Nilai Touch ‘n Go) sehingga RM50 bagi setiap tayar, tertakluk kepada ketersediaan.
Michelin Malaysia is thrilled to introduce its Hari Raya 2024 Promotion, inviting customers to join in the festive celebrations with enticing rewards for an elevated driving experience.
Running from March 11th to May 12th, 2024, this promotion offers customers the chance to receive exciting rewards when they purchase a minimum of two (2) to four (4) units of MICHELIN Passenger Car, SUV, or Commercial Light Truck tyre models with a tyre size of 15” and above.
Tyres are the most important yet the most under-rated part of a car. The fact that something the size of a human palm can keep a person safe in all types of conditions is something to be respected.
Yet, many still do not understand the importance of having a good set of tyres. It is quite common to see tyres that are well past their “use by” dates and in terrible condition. But manufacturers are not to blame here, tyre technology is now at its best we have seen since the advent of the tyre.
The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is one of those tyres. Those in the know will appreciate the fact that the Pilot Sport comes from a long line of great tyres. That is no surprise though as Michelin, the second largest tyre manufacturer in the world after Bridgestone, has nearly a hundred years of experience developing tyres.
But what makes the new Pilot Sport 5 so special? The Pilot Sport has always been the go to tyre for those seeking a tyre that offers longevity, grip and quietness over all surfaces without breaking the bank. Known simply as PS5, the new tyre builds on those qualities, as we found out during a recent event at the Sepang International Circuit.
Michelin says the new PS5 offers better wet weather grip, is quieter and longer lasting than its predecessor, the PS4, which curiously will still be available in the market together with the PS5.
It is impossible to test the claim that the new PS5 lasts longer, but for every other claim, there was a specially laid out course.
Michelin also has another product but designed for SUV’s, known as the Primacy SUV+ which also promises all of the qualities of the PS5 but purpose built for SUVs. And so we began our test with SUV’s that were shod with Primacy and competitor tyres. The first aim was to test the quietness of the tyre.
To do this, Michelin provided a decibel meter that captured the interior noise for us to compare against the competition. The results were quite remarkable. The first group recorded 56.3 decibels on the Primacy while the competitor tyre recorded 61.3 decibels over the same surface and at equal speed.
The second group then confirmed the Primacy noise suppression superiority when they recorded 60.53 decibels over the competitors 64.2 decibels. The only thing that was different here were the cars, the first group did their test in Toyota Fortuners while the second group did it with Honda CRVs.
The second test was the wet braking test. To do this, we were told to accelerate to about 80km/h and slam on the brakes as hard as we could. The surface was of course inundated with flowing water.
To do this we were provided with Mercedes-Benz cars, which were Michelin’s partners for the duration of the event.
We did the test in four stints – twice in an A-Class sedan that was fitted with PS5’s and competitor tyres, and once again in an SUV, a GLA, that was fitted with Primacy SUV tyres and competitor tyres.
Slamming on the brakes just as the tyres hit the wet patch, it must be said that all tyres held their grip and the cars did not squirm under hard braking with ABS engaged. But the point here was to see which tyre provided the least braking distance. The last thing you want is a tyre that takes too long to stop.
And just to mix things up, Michelin also added worn down PS5’s and competitor tyre just to show how much grip levels deteriorate as the tyre goes through its life cycle.
For starters we compared new vs used PS5, and the new tyre brought the car to a stop in just 25.12 meters while the competitor tyre did it in 30.39 meters. That’s about 15 feet in difference and hugely significant in heavy traffic conditions.
The used PS5 on the other hand brought the car to a stop in 27.59 meters while the competitor tyre did it in 36.8 meters. That’s 9.21 meters in difference, or over 30 feet difference in stopping distance.
Assuming new cars are between 10-14 feet in length, that is about three and a half car lengths for the used competitor tyre to bring a Mercedes-Benz to a halt from 80km/h. In an emergency, that would surely result in a collision.
But just for reference sake, the Primacy SUV tyres brought the Mercedes GLA to a stop in just 27.4 meters while the competitor tyres needed 29.85 meters. The worn tyres on the other hand brought the GLA to a complete stop from 80km/h in 36.92 meters and the worn competitor tyres did it in 39.07 meters. The difference is not as dramatic as the PS5’s but significant no less.
The final course involved a high-speed turn that finished off with a dry condition emergency brake test. This time we were provided with a Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Though there are no numbers to prove the claim, but the Michelin’s did turn towards where we wanted the car to go while the competitor tyres ended up understeering wide.
The results were clear and there is little doubt that the Michelin PS5 and Primacy were the superior tyre in all conditions. But how did Michelin create such a superior tyre? Reserch and development coupled with advanced technology of course.
Michelin says that it uses multiple technologies in a single tyre. Such as Dynamic Response Technology that reduces tyre flex for more accurate and direct handling. Then there is the MaxTouch Construction that evenly distributes forces of acceleration, braking and cornering which results in longer tread life. And for wet weather, the tyres offer Dual Sport Tread Design with an internal, side and large longitudinal grooves that flush water away for wet weather traction.
It is also worth noting that all Michelin passenger and light truck tyres come with a six year warranty from the date of purchase, provided that the tyres were sold within three years of the manufacturing date.
The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 and Primacy SUV+ tyres are now available in Malaysia.
The annual Michelin Asia Cup Powered by Gran Turismo returns again for gamers from Thailand, Indonesia, and Australia, and Malaysians are also invited to compete for the opportunity to represent Malaysia. This is an e-racing competition that will use the ‘Gran Turismo’ platform on PlayStation 4 in Sport mode.
The Grand Prize Winner will win an all-expense paid trip to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the Michelin Passion Experience (MPE) event, held this year at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The First Runner-Up will receive a full set of tyres, while the Second Runner-Up will receive a fuel card worth more than RM1,500.
Registration for qualifying rounds runs are on from now until July 8, 2022. The first 500 registered participants in Malaysia will each receive exclusive Michelin merchandise. It is important to note that the Grand Prize Winner must have a driving license or a racing license (valid at least until September 9, 2022), to be eligible to claim the prize. Needless to say, he or she should also have a valid international passport.
The registered participants must submit their best time to the Qualifying Round from July 11 – 15, 2022. The top 6 participants with the fastest lap time will be announced on July 20, 2022 to represent Malaysia in the Semi-Finals, racing against the top 6 from 3 other participating countries. The total of 24 semi-finalists will be divided in two groups, each consisting of 12 gamers.
The 6 fastest gamers of each group will advance to the Final Round, which will be broadcast live on August 26, 2022 onwards, via social media channels. The top three winners will be officially announced on August 30, 2022.
Last year, Michelin Malaysia held its first-ever e-Racing competition – the Michelin Virtual Racing Series 2021 – as the brand’s first major endeavour into the local e-sports industry. This activity has seen increased activity in the past few years, especially when the pandemic-related Movement Control Order (MCO) limited outdoor motorsports events.
The event, which had prizes worth a total of RM70,000 (in cash, tyres and merchandise) was run in 3 phases in June and July. All the races were held on the Sardegna Road Track AII with participants using the BMW M6 GT3 M Power equipped with Michelin racing medium tyres.
The Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) aims to capture a 7% share of the electric vehicle (EV) market by 2030, by which time it expects to be selling 1.87 million vehicles annually. To achieve this goal, the Korean carmaker will invest around 19.4 trillion won (US$16.10 billion) in EV-related businesses.
Besides its own investments, it will also work with other parties in various fields of expertise and one of them is Michelin. A MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) was signed recently for collaboration on R&D for innovative tyre technologies over the next 3 years. These technologies will be used in the development of next-generation tyres optimized for premium EVs.
The MoU is the second one between the two companies, following the successful completion of their first partnership. This collaboration will lead to a new journey towards developing next-generation tyres to be equipped with the Group’s clean, smart and sustainable mobility solutions.
“This partnership with Michelin will result in real innovations in tire technology, solidifying Hyundai Motor Group’s position as a leader in the smart mobility industry,” said Bong-soo Kim, Vice-President and the Head of Chassis Development Centre at the Hyundai Motor Group. “By fully leveraging our mobility technology and Michelin’s tyre expertise, we are confident in our ability to achieve ground-breaking innovations in tire performance enhancement and create synergies in this organic collaboration.”
In the previous 5-year partnership that began in November 2017, the companies jointly developed an exclusive tyre for the IONIQ 5 EV. There were also joint experiments and analysis methods carried out which were related to tyres as well as technology exchange.
Over the next 3 years, HMG and Michelin will jointly develop the following innovations: eco-friendly tyres with increased use of eco-friendly materials; tyres optimized for next-generation EVs; and a real-time tyre monitoring system which will help advance autonomous driving technology.
The tyres for the IONIQ 5 EV were jointly developed by Hyundai and Michelin.
“The collaboration between Hyundai Motor Group and Michelin over the past 5 years contributed to the successful launch of the Hyundai IONIQ 5,” said Georges Levy, Executive Vice-President of Automotive Original Equipment at Michelin. “We are pleased to announce that the relationship has been extended for 3 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 next-generation tyres will be installed on future premium EV models of HMG. The new tyre technology is critical to meet the durability requirements of tyres, as well as driving performance and electric efficiency under high load as the driving range of EVs continues to increase.
There will also be joint research to analyse tyre wear, tyre load and road friction beyond the current standards of tyre temperature and air pressure. The new tyres are also expected to significantly improve ride comfort by reducing vibration and noise generated by EVs at high speeds.
Additionally, there will be research into ways to increase the use of eco-friendly materials in tyres to about 50% of the total tyre weight from 20% currently.
With SUV popularity continuing to grow worldwide, demand for replacement tyres for such vehicles has also grown. As demand grows, SUV owners also want better tyres with improved performance, just like how passenger car tyres have constantly been improved. At the same time, SUV tyres are also required to perform well in more varied surface conditions as owners may sometimes go off-road.
Michelin constantly updates its wide range of tyres and following on from the Primacy SUV, the company now introduces the Primacy SUV+ with new and enhanced Michelin technologies as well as a wider range of sizes.
“With the launch of MICHELIN Primacy SUV+, we are convinced to better capture the SUV market potential, as the tyre not only provides a more complete SUV portfolio, but also offers performance and safety made to last, plus market-leading longevity, as well as a quiet and comfortable drive – making it the best partner for both daily commutes and long journeys,” said Michelin Malaysia’s Managing Director, Oliver Biggart.
The new features of the Primacy+ are the Michelin Premium Touch sidewall design (only on 18-inch sizes and larger), higher silica loading and functionalized polymer, and MaxTouch Construction.
The Premium Touch sidewall design, already used in some newer Michelin tyres, gives a velvet-like micro texture that enhances the aesthetic appeal of the tyre. Wet and dry braking performance are said to be greatly improved – without compromising mileage nor rolling resistance – with the new compound while MaxTouch Construction optimizes the contact patch for even wear and longer tread life.
Improved performance
The Primacy SUV+ also has full depth and high sipe density with a U-shaped groove design. This maintains water evacuation even when the tyre is worn – important on the wet road conditions that Malaysian motorists frequently drive in these days. The chamfered tread blocks are more resistant to distortion under pressure, while StabiliGrip sipes help with braking performance as they optimize tyre and also remove water more efficiently.
“Significant safety improvements to the Michelin Primacy SUV+, attested by a number of tests, ensure not only superiority over competitors, but also maximum driving confidence and control behind the wheel for SUV drivers,” said Mr. Biggart.
Longer mileage
He was referring to test results on wet roads against main competitors where the Primacy SUV+ stopped 3.3 metres shorter when new, and 4.2 metres shorter when worn. In addition, its drivable mileage was found to be 10% longer than competitors’ average. The tests were conducted by independent parties, not Michelin.
The Primacy SUV+ is now available at all authorized Michelin tyre dealers nationwide. There are 26 sizes across the 16-inch to 20- inch range so the new tyre should be suitable for a wide range of SUV models. Recommended retail prices are between RM600 and RM1,600 (depending on the size) and if you shop around a bit, you might find some dealers offering better discounts than others.
Building on the successful Pilot Sport 4 tyre, Michelin today launched the new Pilot Sport 5 in Asia and Australia today. For markets in Asia, the fifth generation of the popular high-performance tyres will be offered in up to 43 sizes for 17-inch to 21-inch wheels. The Malaysian market will have 26 sizes from 17 to 19 inches, with 21 more sizes from 17 to 21 inches to be made available by the end of this year. The recommended retail prices of the new tyres range from RM700 to RM1,900.
Sophisticated features
Targets at sportscar and high-performance sedan drivers, the new Pilot Sport 5 has a range of sophisticated features and is, of course, improved in performance over its predecessor. The key features include Dual Sport Tread Design technology, Groove Clear, Dynamic Response technology, MaxTouch Construction, and Premium Touch Sidewall Design.
Dual Sport Tread Design technology is like having two tyres in one as there is a two-sided functionalized tread design inspired by Michelin’s motorsport experience. On the inner side of the tyre is a tread pattern with large grooves and high void ratio for enhanced wet road traction, while the outer has rigid blocks for better grip on dry roads. Groove Clear is the association of large longitudinal grooves that guide water under the tyre into wide transversal channels from which the water is ejected to keep the contact patch as dry as possible.
Shorter stopping distances
Independent testing showed that on a wet road, the Pilot Sport 5 stopped 1.4 metres (new tyres) and 4 metres (worn tyres) shorter than other premium brands. On a dry road, the stopping distance was 1.3 metres shorter. Other testing also showed that the Pilot Sport 5 lasted 33.5% longer than tyres from other premium brands. This longevity is due to the MaxTouch Construction that maximizes the tyre’s contact with the road and evenly distributes the forces of acceleration, braking, and cornering without sacrificing performance.
Lasting performance
Michelin also makes sure that its tyres provide lasting performance throughout the lifespan. This is made possible by Dynamic Response technology that uses a high-density aramid and nylon hybrid belt which promotes driving precision for optimum transmission of steering instructions onto the road. This belt, which is located just below the tread, is both very resistant and light. Thus, at equivalent weight, the associated nylon and aramid are 5 times more resistant than steel.
The tread pattern usually gives character to a tyre but for the Pilot Sport 5, the sidewall too has been given sporty and appealing aesthetics. Michelin’s patented velvet sidewall branding, called Premium Touch Design has a matte-black velvet-like micro texture which gives a premium look and feel.
Drivers who care for their tyres and for safety will regularly check on the tread wear (besides the pressures). To make it easier, Michelin has added Wear2Check, an easy-to-find and easy-to-read tread wear indicator (TWI) on each tyre. This is visible by three tiny holes on certain tread blocks, indicating the area where the TWI is running across.
“With the Michelin Pilot Sport 5, Michelin further strengthens our complete and best overall high-performance Pilot Sport range, with ‘Performance Made to Last’ being our key differentiator. Inspired by motorsports, the tyre is perfect for drivers who demand sporty driving performance and expect nothing but the best. What’s more, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 goes one step further in aesthetics, as evidenced by its 2021 Contemporary Good Design Award – one of the world’s most prestigious international design awards,” said Michelin Malaysia’s Managing Director, Oliver Biggart.
Michelin, as a leader with a long history in the tyre industry, offers tyres for all types of vehicles… even spacecraft. With over 130 years of experience in making tyres, the company has built up its technological knowledge to develop the best tyres for each sector.
For the growing SUV sector, Michelin Malaysia has recently introduced the Michelin LTX Trail tyre, specifically designed for SUVs and also applicable for use on pick-up trucks. This new tyre has extended lifespan, with excellent wet braking performance – even when worn – for long-lasting safety. It is suitable for highway use as well as on unpaved roads and unlike many such tyres, it also generates lower noise levels for a more comfortable ride.
The extended lifespan can provide up to 41% longer mileage, thanks to the RallyForce2 Tread Compound. This makes the tyre more durable so it can give maximum service life, even with off-road use. The new tread design is also a contributory factor with the Biting Shoulder that wraps from the tread down the sidewall. This results in better protection against sidewall aggression and ensures greater off-road performance and traction.
Variable Thickness Sipes (those small slits in tyres) provide improved contact patch that enhances handling and grip. Braking performance is also better, even on wet roads. When compared to its premium competitors, the LTX Trail has been able to stop 3.1 metres shorter when new, and 4.6 metres shorter when worn. On dry roads, when new, it stops 3.8 metres shorter. The sipes are deep so even the tyre is worn, the performance remains consistent and high.
Quietness is not always a strong point of tyres for SUVs and pick-up trucks. However, factory tests show that the LTX Trail has 19.8% lower sound pressure level. This is thanks to Duo-Harmony Blocks featuring two different block shapes in the tread’s centre that spread the noise generated across a wider spectrum.
The Michelin LTX tyres are suitable for SUVs like the Toyota Fortuner (above) and pick-up trucks like the Nissan Navara, Isuzu D-MAX and Ford Ranger (below).
“At Michelin, we are constantly innovating to enable people to move around more freely, safely; and to live a better life in motion. The new Michelin LTX Trail is a great match for the increasing popularity of SUVs, which is projected to grow 5.6% year-on-year, from 2021 to 2026. Perfect for consumers who own 4×2 and 4×4 high-rise pickups, as well as SUVs – such as Toyota Hilux, Toyota Fortuner, and Nissan Navara – these tyres also cater to those whose lifestyle demands the ability to reach on- and off-road destinations, for work or pleasure,” said Oliver Biggart, Managing Director of Michelin Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.
“We are confident that the new MICHELIN LTX Trail gives drivers in Malaysia a safe and comfortable ride on the road, across a variety of terrain – ranging from city commuting, wet road, highway driving, to light and moderate off-road,” added Mr. Biggart.
For the Malaysia market, the LTX Trail is offered in 9 sizes to fit with rim dimensions ranging between 15 and 18 inches. It is available at Michelin’s authorized tyre dealers nationwide. For more information on the Michelin tyre range and location of dealers, visit the Michelin Malaysia website.
