Michelin’s Full Range of "Green X" Tires on Display at NAIAS

For over 16 years, Michelin has been dedicated to the research and development of energy-efficient tires and now, when the time is absolutely necessary, a complete line of fuel-efficient tires is available to fit the most immediate consumer needs. Each tire has Michelin’s “Green X” marking signaling an increased level of energy-efficiency and cooresponding reduction in lower CO2 emissions.

MICHELIN Latitude® Tour Tire

The MICHELIN® Latitude® Tour tire, launched in Fall of 2008, is designed for crossover sport utility vehicles (CUVs), which until recently has been the fastest growing vehicle segment and will continue to grow. This tire is the longest-lasting, most fuel-efficient tire in its class, offering greater comfort in wet conditions and a quiet, comfortable ride. Growing popularity, increased fuel efficiency and versatility all combine to make the crossover sport utility vehicle (CUV) a popular choice for today’s consumer. Crossover SUVs are unlike any other vehicle and demand a tire unlike any other. The Latitude Tour tire is uniquely designed for CUVs and accentuates the features that make these vehicles so popular, providing the strength and confidence of a truck tire and the ride and the ride and comfort of a passenger car tire with best-in-class fuel economy.

MICHELIN LTX®M/S 2 Tire

Michelin’s best-selling light truck tire and long-time consumer favorite, the MICHELIN® LTX® M/S 2 is all-new and will be launched in North America 3rd quarter 2009. It will offer long tread life and best-in-class all-season safety and utility for ultimate confidence. The LTX M/S2 tire is expected to deliver years of worry-free driving, the LTX M/S2 tire delivers the shortest wet braking, up to 13 feet shorter than the competition, and the best snow traction, 25 percent more winter grip than competitive all-season tires.

MICHELIN X-Ice® Xi2 Tire

Michelin’s best extreme winter tire for passenger cars and minivans, the MICHELIN® X-Ice® Xi2 tire is the best overall winter-performing tire, engineered to tackle the most extreme cold-weather driving conditions. It is also the first winter tire to earn the Michelin Green X designation for optimizing fuel economy while delivering top winter traction performances and best-in-class tread wear. Michelin’s advanced tread block technology and state-of-the-art rubber silica-based compound called FleX-Ice™ help to deliver optimized grip and unsurpassed braking on ice. A wide tread contact patch assists in braking, as well as cornering traction, for outstanding winter maneuvering. Supporting tread knobs help provide stability on wet and dry roads in the winter, helping the X-Ice Xi2 tire deliver the best overall winter traction, along with superior ice performance. The X-Ice Xi2 tire lasts 75 percent longer than the leading competitor without compromising other performances.

MICHELIN Pilot® MXM4® Tire

Offering year-round luxury and performance, the MICHELIN Pilot MXM4 tire helps deliver a balance of sporty handling and ride quality with all-season traction. Featuring a European handling profile, and rounder shoulder, the Pilot MXM4 tire is designed to provide progressive, predictable cornering, letting you push your vehicle to the edges of its performance capabilities. The Michelin Comfort Control Technology™ gives greatly reduced vibrations and road noise.

MICHELIN® Energy™ MXV4® Tire

The MICHELIN® Energy™ MXV4® tire offers drivers a balanced all-season performance and serve as original equipment on a wide variety of performance touring vehicles. To reduce vibration and road noise, Comfort Control Technology™ is used and MaxTouch Construction™ is applied to give a unique contact patch shape and design that allows for long-lasting, even treadwear. EnergySaver Construction™ helps deliver excellent fuel efficiency by requiring less effort from your engine. In fact, Energy™ MXV4 Plus tires are more fuel efficient than the leading competitors, saving you money at the pump.

MICHELIN® Primacy™ MXV4® Tire

Featuring a legendary ride with an exceptional warranty, the MICHELIN Primacy™ MXV4® tire offers a balance of all-season traction, ride quality and a 60,000-mile manufacturer’s limited warranty. Confident wet-weather handling is achieved by using 2-dimensional Active Sipes that alternately lock together and open as needed to provide increased biting edges that grip the road for improved all-season handling, especially in rain and snow. Advanced MaxTouch Construction™ and Michelin Comfort Control Technology are also featured on the Primacy MXV4 tire.

Dedicated to the improvement of sustainable mobility, Michelin designs, manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America (www.michelin.com) employs more than 22,300 and operates 19 major manufacturing plants in 17 locations.