2004 Detroit Auto Show: Michelin Concept Tires Meet Design Challenges to Deliver Solutions

DETROIT, Jan. 2, 2004 -- Imagination, according to Albert Einstein, is more important than knowledge. But, what if you have both? Then you would be someone extraordinary, someone like a Michelin concept tire designer.

"Designing concept vehicle tires is definitely both," said Steve Lash, manager of Concept Development and Innovation for Michelin North America.

"Michelin sees the creation of a concept tire as bit of a right brain challenge paired with a left brain solution. We need to be creative and innovative, but we also need to be technically sound," said Lash. "A tire is a very complex system that can involve more than 1,000 individual elements."

"Vehicle designers are artists. They are creative, innovative and spontaneous," continues Lash. "Designers think of things no one else has and ask; 'why not try this?' Designers see what no one else sees and present their work so that others can experience it. "

Engineers, on the other hand, are scientists. Engineers can be very creative, but from a different direction. "They make the impossible, possible," said Lash. "Engineering the answers to the designer's 'why not?' is usually tied to science. New technologies, materials and constructions all enable new thinking and new design."

Each concept tire presents a new challenge," said Lash. "Our job is to figure out how to create the best solution to meet that challenge." Here are some examples of the Design Challenges and Solutions that the Michelin and BFGoodrich(R) Tires designers faced in for NAIAS:

Honda Concept Vehicle

Challenge: Develop a rugged yet sophisticated tire that complements the styling of the Honda Concept vehicle

Solution: Low profile tire with a unique market focused directional tread design. Distinct styling adds to the character of the Honda Concept vehicle

HUMMER H3T Concept vehicle

Challenge: Create a tire with refreshingly unique styling that enhances the interior and exterior features of the H3T concept vehicle

Solution: A 19 inch rim diameter BFGoodrich(R) tire with a unique directional tread design that features organic shapes, textured pads, and a unique use of color.

Ford Concept Vehicle

Challenge: Carefully develop a concept tire to complement the styling and contours of the Ford Concept vehicle

Solution: An aggressive performance tire with a shape and tread design that enhance the personality of the Ford concept vehicle

Volkswagen Concept Vehicle

Challenge: Develop a uniquely shaped tire that adds to the persona of the Volkswagen Concept Vehicle

Solution: Low profile tire with a tread design that complements the styling of the Volkswagen crossover Concept vehicle.

Nissan Concept Vehicle

Challenge: Morph the architecture of a car tire into a motorcycle tire shape and then fit it onto a unique wheel profile developed by Nissan

Solution: Low profile wrap-around Michelin(R) tire with a unique tread and sidewall design.

The design exchange works both ways according to Lash. Designers come up with ideas and give them to engineers as problems to solve. Engineers in turn make designers aware of new technologies, materials and processes that in many cases enable design.

The process has accelerated in recent years as communication technology tools have evolved. "Changes that years ago would take weeks, now take hours, maybe even minutes on a computer," said Lash. "Unfortunately we can't build new tire molds and quality tires that fast ... yet."

Michelin prizes all elements of the creative process. "Michelin is a very creative company, very technical but very creative. We pride ourselves on having the best technology," said Lash. "That technology came from creative minds."

The creativity at Michelin is a not a recent development. Creativity and innovation are a big part of Michelin's heritage. When the company was created over 115 years ago it was created by Edouard and Andre Michelin. They weren't engineers. One was an artist and the other an architect. "Our real job is to keep the creative spirit and drive for innovation that began with Edouard and Andre as we design tires for the future," said Lash.