Hyundai Motor Company and Kia have partnered with global tire manufacturer Michelin to develop tires that enhance driving performance.
On the 24th, Hyundai and Kia announced that they held a technical joint development memorandum of understanding (MOU) ceremony at the Namyang Research Center in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province. The event was attended by Shin Yong-seok, Executive Vice President of Hyundai and Kia Genesis Design Center, and Georges Levy, Vice President of Michelin Asia-Pacific OE.
This agreement marks the third collaboration following the first and second joint research projects. Both parties had previously worked on tire technology advancements in 2017 and 2022.
Under this third agreement, the two companies will focus on research to enhance tire performance, develop virtual simulation technologies, and exchange technical expertise over three years starting next year.
Initially, in the tire performance enhancement segment, joint research will focus on developing advanced tire technologies that improve vehicle driving performance, such as ultra-low rolling resistance tires and smart grip technology for vehicle control.
In particular, research will be concentrated on strengthening the handling and braking performance to ensure vehicle stability at high speeds.
In the virtual simulation technology sector, the goal is to advance virtual simulation and develop processes to improve the quality of the off-road tire development environment.
Lastly, both companies aim to enhance their technological capabilities through mutual technical exchanges. Hyundai and Kia will offer training courses on vehicles and chassis, while Michelin will provide specialized education on tire design and evaluation to strengthen each other’s technical skills.
Shin Yong-seok stated, “Through this third technical cooperation, we anticipate tire technology innovation that will lead the future mobility market,” and added, “The synergy of specialized capabilities in mobility and tires will be reflected in vehicle driving performance.”