Michelin to End Pax System R&D

(Staffordshire, U.K./Tyres & Accessories) Groupe Michelin described it as “revolutionary” and “our biggest technological breakthrough since we patented the radial tyre in 1946,” yet news indicates that the French manufacturer is turning its back on the product about which it once said “we haven’t been this proud since we invented the radial.”

Published: November 14, 2007

The director of research at Michelin’s Technology Center in Ladoux, France, is reported to have said that the company has halted further research into its PAX run-flat system as there is “no big market demand” for the product. He added that demand for the PAX was not sufficient to justify the expense of the research invested into it.

Development of the PAX system began in 1997, at which time it was known as the Pav, and Michelin has licensed the tyre-wheel assembly technology to other manufacturers, including Goodyear, Pirelli, Sumitomo, and Toyo. Michelin’s first OE contract for the new technology came on the Renault Scenic in February 2002, and the tyre has also been fitted as original equipment to the Audi A8, Rolls Royce Phantom, Audi A4 and Honda Odyssey.

Gallery: Turbo Wholesale Tire open house

Highlights from this year’s annual Turbo Wholesale Tires open house event, which featured a trade show, dinner and buyers event.

By Christian Hinton

Published: May 15, 2024

Turbo Wholesale Tires recently held its annual open house event, where it introduced the new Lexani Volt-EC EV tire. However, as any of the hundreds of people in attendance will tell you, the event included much more than a tire launch. After registration, guests entered Turbo's new tire-filled warehouse, with half the space set aside for the tire companies and dealers, food and drinks, games and stage with a nearby pile of 89 prizes worth over $25,000.