Magazine for the professional tire industry
Issue link: https://mtd.epubxp.com/i/148910
feature Te skinny on tall, thin tires Is this the tire of the future? Or just an electric vehicle trait? By Bob Bissler T hey were on the Ford Model T a century ago. Tey were on the Citroën 2CV in the 1950s. Today they're on hybrid and electric concept cars. Tey're also used in racing. Are tall, thin tires going to be the next big trend in the tire industry? Tat's what we asked the fve largest tire manufacturers in the world: Bridgestone Corp., Continental AG, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Groupe Michelin and Pirelli & Cie SpA. Some were forthcoming with details and information; others, not so much. "We are constantly working on many technical projects, but we don't always want to talk publicly about them," a Goodyear spokesperson told Modern Tire Dealer. Two other tire companies also declined to participate in this story at frst, then later agreed to. Two of the tire makers would not comment on the details of manufacturing tall, thin tires. Two would not discuss the tall, thin tires their companies ofer. Tere appears to be a great deal of secrecy surrounding the design of tall, thin tires. One thing is certain: Tere is a trend for beter fuel economy in vehicles, and tires play a signifcant role in the equation. Less rubber on the road means beter rolling resistance, less noise and less wasted energy.