WASHINGTON, (June 1, 2004) — Michelin Americas Research & Development Corp. has won the 2003 Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Excellence in Transportation Award in the Mobile Energy Emissions category for its X One single-wide truck tire.

The Mobile Energy and Emissions award recognizes innovations in fuel source, fuel savings, CO2 reduction and energy use reduction in transportation. The award also recognizes innovations that reduce mobile source emissions through design improvements, source reduction or control efficiency.

The X One was recognized for its energy savings and emissions reductions capabilities. The tire replaces two conventional dual tires with a single X One tire and has proven to save from four to 10 per cent in fuel cost, decrease overall weight by 800 to 1,300 pounds and thereby increase the payload of a truck by the same weight, the company says.

All X One tires incorporate Michelin’s patented InfiniCoil technology, a unique stabilizing belt construction that runs perpendicular to the radial ply to optimize wear and handling. The X One tires also incorporate conventional full-width steel belts and one radial ply, which complement the stabilizing action of the tire.