Two new concept vehicles on display at the Detroit Auto Show are shod with Michelin concept products.
The BFGoodrich T/A concept tire -- size 275/70R19 -- has been fitted on the Hummer H3T concept vehicle.
The tire contains multiple colors and tread patterns patterned after design elements found in Nike athletic shoes, say Michelin North America Inc. (MNA) officials.
"Never before have a tire company and an athletic footwear company teamed up to produce an actual tire," says Bob Massa, concept project leader for Michelin's BFGoodrich brand.
In addition, MNA's Concept (Wrap) 275-35R20 tread has been shod on Nissan's new Actic concept vehicle.
The tread is a 360-degree "rubber signature" with only the wheel spokes and hubs exposed, say MNA officials.
"The tire offers a rounded profile, a bit like Michelin's hottest motorcycle tires.
"The challenge was fitting the architecture of a car tire into a motorcycle tire shape and then mounting it on the unique rim profile developed by Nissan."
