LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Michelin has come out with a new drive tire for what it describes as “super regional” applications where fuel economy is as important as longevity and durability.

The Michelin X Multi Energy D drive tire was designed for applications involving highway driving with frequent inner city deliveries. It is SmartWay-verified and created to reflect the trend towards shorter routes.

“This super regional application is the result of the continued trend to shorter routes in the trucking industry,” said Ted Becker, vice-president of marketing for Michelin Americas Truck Tires. “The application is demanding. Our customers are looking for the fuel efficiency of a line haul product with the mileage and traction of a regional product. We deliver both to give our customers the advantage in this emerging industry segment.”

The X Multi Energy D is especially well suited for fleets that run about 100,000 miles per year and often within a 500-mile radius, Michelin officials said at the Mid-America Trucking Show. The tire employs Michelin’s Matrix Siping Technology for improved traction and even wear. The new tire will be available in Canada beginning in April.

Also new from Michelin is a X One XDN2 Pre-Mold retread for fleets and owner/operators using wide-base single tires. The retread is available immediately and comes with the company’s Michelin on Michelin Guarantee, promising 30% more mileage than competitive retreads. The program also guarantees a second X One trailer retread on a Michelin casing.

“X One wide single tires continue to offer huge benefits to the trucking industry,” said Becker. “The Michelin X One XDN2 retread combined with the weight and fuel savings of the Michelin X One casing offers even better grip and fuel efficiency.”

The X One XDN2 retread features an all-weather drive tread design, delivering both traction and mileage, the company says. X One wide-base singles have proven to deliver fuel savings of up to 10%.