Michelin's sustainable mobility event kicks off in Berlin

ERJ staff report (LMH)

Berlin - The eleventh Michelin Challenge Bibendum, a global summit on sustainable mobility, commenced in Berlin yesterday,18 May, bringing together manufacturers, academics, energy suppliers and others to address the issue of safer, cleaner transportation, Michelin said in a statement.

Held in different locations around the world each year, the Michelin Challenge Bibendum addresses specific local issues and problems while focusing on the fact that the challenges and different sources of innovation are now global.

Presentations and discussions invariably cover such topics as climate, geography, urban density, the availability and use of energy resources, and initiatives to promote road safety, the French tyre company said.

Michelin said it addresses the new challenges facing sustainable road mobility in two ways.

Firstly, through the Michelin Challenge Bibendum, the group brings together all road transport stakeholders that design, develop and deploy solutions intended to make vehicles cleaner and more energy efficient.

The company noted that in a little less than 30 years, the number of cars on the road worldwide will have doubled to more than 1.5 billion vehicles, making mobility accessible to new users. Michelin Challenge Bibendum provides an opportunity to see that these new, emerging mobility solutions will involve vehicles adapted to the different regions of the world.

Michelin added that given the dramatic increase in the number of cars worldwide, it's easier to understand why energy resource and safety issues must be dealt with immediately - everywhere and by all concerned stakeholders.

Secondly, Michelin said it also plays a direct role in the quest for sustainable mobility solutions. Michelin's research and development programs have long focused on these issues, giving it unrivalled expertise in the area of fuel efficiency, the tyre maker said in the statement. Backed by an annual budget of €500 million, the Group's R&D teams have developed innovative solutions, even breakthrough technologies, such as the self-repairing tire and In-Wheel Motor assemblies.

Michelin Challenge Bibendum will take place in Berlin from 18-22 May 2011.

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Press release from Michelin