AKRON (Jan. 20, 2009) — As Barack Obama takes the oath of office today to become the 44th President of the U.S., tires will have a subtle but visible presence at the inauguration ceremonies.
Continuing a decades-long tradition, the new president's official limousine will roll on Goodyear tires, the exclusive tire for the limo and the standard tire of the U.S. Secret Service, according to Akron-based Goodyear.
The heavily customized Cadillac DTS limo is shod with Goodyear Regional RHS tires, which are actually truck tires in a 285/70R19.5 size—necessary due to the vehicle's extra load that includes a heavy-duty chassis, extended length and armored material. As with military combat vehicles, Goodyear said the presidential limousine runs on standard tires, but the rims contain a run-flat device (made by Hutchinson Industries) that enables the vehicle to be driven even with zero air pressure in all four tires.
Once the presidential inaugural parade begins, NASA astronauts will pilot a Small Pressurized Lunar Rover down Pennsylvania Avenue while rolling on Michelin North America Inc.'s Tweel non-pneumatic tire/wheel assembly.
Introduced in 2008, the Michelin Lunar Wheel can withstand extreme conditions while maintaining flexibility and constant ground contact pressure, the tire maker said, enabling moon rovers to traverse loose soil and lunar craters. The lunar Tweel also has a low mass yet maintains a high load capacity that is 3.3 times more efficient than the original Apollo Lunar Rover wheels.
The lunar rover is designed to provide astronauts with mobility over extreme terrain. It features 12 wheels driven by two electric motors through a two-speed transmission, allowing the vehicle to perform in “bulldozer” mode with up to 4,000 pounds of force or cruise at a speed of a little over 12 mph. Greenville-based Michelin said the rover's modular design allows its tubular frame to be fitted with several crew and payload combinations, including the crew cabin that attaches to the rover's chassis.
“Michelin and NASA have a long history of successful collaboration. For more than 20 years, Michelin has supplied tires for the space shuttle,” said David Stafford, COO of Michelin Americas Research Co., noting that over the past three years the tire maker has worked with NASA “to develop a revolutionary tire/wheel assembly for the next generation of lunar rovers.”
Vogue Tyre & Rubber Co. also will get in on the presidential festivities.
The Mount Prospect, Ill.-based private brand tire marketer has fitted a set of its newly released 20-inch white/gold Vogue tires and wheels on a new Jaguar XF which will be used in presidential inaugural events.
“Being based in Illinois, we are especially honored to take part in this historic event,” said Greg Hathcock, Vogue Tyre president. The company's tires are known for their distinctive whitewall and gold stripe design.