Iveco to fit new Michelin X® LINE™ Energy™ fuel-saving tyres as standard on next-generation Stralis XP

Thursday 16th June 2016

Michelin and Iveco have announced that the New Iveco Stralis XP heavy truck will fit the next generation of Michelin X® LINE™ Energy™ tyres as original equipment. The new X® LINE™ Energy™ range is the first tyre range to receive an “AAA” rating for rolling resistance under EU tyre labelling rules.

With more than 200,000 tyres sold since January 2013, the Michelin X® LINE™ Energy™ range has repeatedly proven its ability to deliver meaningful fuel savings for long-haul road transport and logistics providers. Now, Michelin is taking this ability to a whole new level by fitting – together with Iveco – its first drive tyre to achieve an “A” rating for rolling resistance under EU tyre labelling rules – alongside a steer tyre also rated “A” for rolling resistance. The new tyres extend a range which also features a trailer tyre rated “A”. As a result, Iveco customers can opt for the market’s first heavy truck tyre range to earn an “A” rating for rolling resistance on every axle.

Iveco  is  launching  the  New  Stralis,  with  a  completely redesigned driveline and  energy-saving features to guarantee a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) and reduced CO ? emissions. To highlight the outstanding economy and environmental performance of the new truck series, Iveco named it the “TCO ? Champion”. The new Michelin X® LINE™ Energy™ tyres will be specified for the New Stralis as standard, initially on the XP model, to ensure customers enjoy the full environmental benefits of the new vehicle.

Compared with the current Michelin X® LINE™ Energy™ tyre range, which is rated “BBA” for rolling resistance, the new fitments will help save operators up to one litre of fuel per 100km driven, thereby avoiding the emission of 2.66 kg of CO ?over the same distance. This represents an average reduction of €1,610 in the operator’s fuel bill over the initial life of the tyres. Moreover, these gains are delivered while maintaining the Michelin tyres’ performance in other areas, such as safety, durability and longevity.

Pierre Lahutte, Iveco Brand President, says: “With the New Stralis, we had the goal of achieving up to a 11 per cent fuel saving, depending on the mission. We achieved the TCO and CO ? reduction objectives by redesigning the driveline for the Stralis, and by working with the best suppliers in our industry. By working with Michelin, we can guarantee our customers the very best in terms of tyre durability, while reducing rolling resistance, and therefore maximising fuel savings.”

Michelin’s new X® LINE™ Energy™ tyres incorporate many groundbreaking innovations, and have been validated by an independent operator. The operator’s tests demonstrated longevity in line with the target for the drive tyre, and the results are even better than expected for the steer tyre under “wet grip” testing. “The fuel saving results are fully in line with our targets as well,” adds Pierre Lahutte.

Iveco  and  Michelin  solutions  announce  agreement  on  tyre  management  system  for commercial vehicle fleet operators, as part of Iveco’s TCO ? Live programme.

As part of the new-generation Stralis launch, Iveco has announced “TCO ? Live” – a new service from Iveco aimed at ensuring the lowest total cost of ownership for Iveco customers. The programme includes driver training, fuel usage advice and vehicle maintenance and repair provision, plus an uptime commitment, or insurance management.

The programme has been running successfully in Poland and Spain for more than a year, and is now expanding to other markets.

Tyre management is a module of TCO ? Live. To ensure the highest customer satisfaction in relation to tyre management, the programme was created in partnership with Michelin solutions.

Michelin solutions already offers fleet management services such as EFFITIRES™, EFFIFUEL™ and EFFITRAILER™.

Gianalberto Lupi, head of Iveco’s Heavy Business Line, says: “With the New Stralis, Iveco is prepared to guarantee to the customer a cost reduction for running the vehicle, thanks to the new range’s  improved  fuel  efficiency,  combined  with  our  high  level  of  parts  availability,  and  our widespread maintenance network.  With this partnership, Iveco aims to assist the customer by lightening the load of its fleet management costs, and helping them to focus on their primary mission. TCO ? Live services are the perfect complement to our promise of reliable uptime with Iveco trucks. By working with Michelin solutions, we offer Iveco customers exclusive services that will guarantee maximum satisfaction for Iveco truck owners.”