GREENVILLE, S.C.Michelin North America Inc. has renewed its five-year-old agreement with Yellowstone Park Foundationthe official fund-raising partner of Yellowstone National Parkproviding tires and vehicle maintenance advice for the park's fleet of 800-plus vehicles.
Since 2008, Michelin has donated more than 1,400 tires for Yellowstone's fleet of patrol cars, garbage trucks, earthmoving vehicles, rotary snow plows and large load-hauling tractor trailers. Yellowstone vehicles collectively travel 3.75 million miles per year on the park's 420-plus miles of roadways, Michelin said.
The partnership has helped Yellowstone save approximately $275,000 to $300,000 annually, Michelin said, which this year represents about a 12-percent reduction in the park's fleet and road maintenance budget.
Michelin said it regularly deploys its field engineers to consult with the park's fleet managers on optimizing tire use for better fuel economy and performance and provides training on the mounting of specialized tires.
Michelin said Yellowstone is like a natural laboratory for us with its varying terrains, temperature and altitude, noting the conditions are unlike anything we could ever replicate.