New production line at Chennai plant inaugurated
Michelin, the world’s tyre technology leader, has signed an agreement with Ashok Leyland to supply the MICHELIN X Guard range of radial truck tyres for its Captain 3718 PLUS long and medium distance commercial vehicles. The industry defining performance of this tyre range is expected to enable Ashok Leyland to pass the benefits of fuel efficiency and optimized payload to its customers.
To cater to this increased demand from both the replacement market and original equipment manufacturers in the country, Michelin has started a new state-of-the-art production line for the MICHELIN X Guard range of tyres at its Chennai plant. The new production line will help double the current capacity of the plant by 2018. This range of radial truck and bus tyres, offering up to 10% fuel savings, is exclusively designed, engineered and made for India.
At the inaugural ceremony, Mr. Jean-Dominique Senard, Chief Executive Officer of Michelin Group, said: “India is a priority market for us, and the growing demand for our products in the country reaffirms our commitment to keep innovating for our customers here. In a very short time, our Chennai plant has evolved to become one of our most advanced manufacturing facilities globally. The purpose of this plant was to cater to the needs of the Indian market, and I am happy to see that we are on target in this journey. The MICHELIN X Guard was conceived to address the Indian market’s need for a tyre that is fuel efficient, safe and lasts longer, and to this end we adapted the very best of Michelin technologies to produce a premium tyre at an affordable price.”
Mr. Alexandre Ziegler, Ambassador of France to India, said: “I am delighted to be here with Mr Senard of the Michelin Group at a time when the company is expanding its presence in the Indian market. This is another successful example of how our French companies actively contribute to ‘Make in India’ and innovate in India.”
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Vinod K. Dasari, CEO and Managing Director, Ashok Leyland, observed: “We are pleased to partner Michelin for our latest range of 37T trucks. The MICHELIN X Guard radial tyres provide us tremendous fuel efficiency, helping us offer a differentiated product in this segment. It is heartening to see the new tyre developed using Michelin’s world-class innovations right here in India.”
The MICHELIN X GUARD range takes advantage of the latest developments in 3D printing, which is used to produce the tyre moulds: As a result, the Regenion technology is integrated. This regenerates new grooves as the tyre wears, ensuring it retains its excellent grip right until the very last mile. The performance of this tyre also benefits from another technology: InfiniCoil, a several hundred-meter-long thin wire wrapped round the tyre structure giving it added robustness without extra weight, while delivering up to 10% fuel savings.
Addressing the media team that visited the plant, Mr. Mohan Kumar, Executive Vice President, Michelin India, said that the company fared extremely well in the last two years. As part of its ‘Make in India’ initiative, the company has developed indigenised products without compromising on quality. As a 120-year-old global tyre giant, it has a strong legacy, with its passion for quality and sustainable mobility. Growing steadily in all segments, including commercial vehicles, the massive Chennai facility, is recognised as the most modern plant radializing the Indian truck and bus radial tyre market.