CLERMONT-FERRAND, France — South Korea's Hyundai Motor Co. has entered into a technical partnership with Group Michelin to develop tires for electric and luxury vehicles.
The co-operative deal links the companies' research and development work and will enable Hyundai to strengthen its capabilities in tire performance technology, the Korea car maker said.
Hyundai representatives visited Michelin's R&D center in Clermont-Ferrand to sign the agreement.
"Within the partnership, Hyundai Motor and Michelin will work together to develop a new all-season tire for electric vehicles," Hyundai said.
Michelin's next-generation tire material and structural technology, it explained, will help Hyundai to optimize overall vehicle efficiency and performance.
Michelin also will collaborate in the development of a bespoke tire for a successor model to Hyundai's Genesis G80 luxury sedan. Co-operative testing and analysis will help determine tire vibration characteristics at high speeds, both in the lab and using evaluation conditions that match the Nürburgring race/test circuit in Germany.
The collaboration with Michelin will allow Hyundai to accelerate the development and deployment of new tire technologies, according to Woong-chul Yang, vice chairman of Hyundai Motor.
"With this enriched knowledge," he added, "the next generation of Hyundai Motor electric cars will offer improved performance and efficiency, bringing a direct benefit to the consumer.
"Working with Michelin will also strengthen Hyundai Motor's tire technology on a broader scale, as we also focus on developing luxury Genesis cars and high-performance vehicles."
Vincent Rousset-Rouviere, head of Michelin's original equipment business, said, "This new partnership with Hyundai Motor will allow us to open a broad range of new opportunities."