The Michelin Primacy 3: Safety to the Power of 3

AUTO CENTRAL – October 25, 2011: Michelin is launching its new Primacy 3 car tyre, which will be available in the UK and Europe from February 2012. The tyre is set to open a whole new era in road safety.

Compared with its four market-leading competitors, the Michelin Primacy 3 delivers the best grip when braking on dry or wet surfaces and when cornering on wet roads(1). This fact was proven in tests conducted in 2011 by TÜV SÜD Automotive and IDIADA, two independent organisations(1). One example of the tyre’s superiority is that at 100 km/h, the Michelin Primacy 3 stopped 2.2 metres shorter on average than its competitors on a dry surface (see the full test results on pages 6 and 7 of the press kit).

The new tyre’s name reflects its qualities: the Michelin Primacy 3 enhances safety in three different areas of performance. And like all Michelin tyres, it also offers high total mileage while reducing fuel consumption – in this case up to 70 litres over the life of the tyre(2).

To deliver this performance balance, Michelin has deployed an innovative design process that integrates the in-depth understanding of road accidents acquired by its R&D teams.

Why safety? Because according to a 2010 survey conducted by GFK in five countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom), safety is what consumers expect most from a tyre.

The fact that safety is a top priority comes as no surprise. However, behavioural analyses have provided additional information.

Road hazards are often present where they are least expected.

How many people know that 70% of road accidents occur on dry surfaces?

Who is aware that 60% of accidents occur in cities and at low speeds?

These two statistics, which are contrary to preconceptions that are firmly anchored in people’s minds, show the need for taking a fresh look at accidentology – the study of accidents. By disproving these preconceived ideas, Michelin can provide meaningful solutions and reaffirm its commitment to improving safety for all road users.

By addressing the problem of road accidents from three angles, Michelin intends to reduce their frequency:

Michelin is working to improve understanding of road accidents.

With every tyre that Michelin designs, the top priority is to provide safety. That’s its core business. The Group is not only capable of gathering information about road hazards. More importantly, its research and development teams are able to assimilate the data. That’s why Michelin is capable of developing tyres that respond perfectly in critical driving situations and thus meet the primary concerns of motorists around the world. The new Michelin Primacy 3 tyre was designed in line with this strategy.

Michelin helps to change the behaviour of road users. The Group conducts programs to raise driver awareness of the importance of maintaining the right tyre pressure. That’s why it has installed systems to ensure that tyres can be correctly and easily filled, providing Michelin Man pumps to highway authorities and local communities so that drivers can adjust their tyre pressure free of charge. Michelin also takes part in programs aimed at national governments, working alongside public and private organisations.