Michelin adds smartphone apps for trucking industry

ERJ staff report (TB)

Greenville, South Carolina - Michelin North America Inc.'s Michelin Americas Truck Tires (MATT) division is rolling out Android- and Apple iPhone-compatible versions of the mobile dealer-locator smartphone app it launched for Blackberry users in August.

The apps are part of Michelin's “Wherever you go” offering for customers, which also includes the Michelin ONCall emergency road service and online dealer and service locator. Using GPS location and Google Maps technology, the smartphone apps provide the location of the nearest Michelin truck tyre or service provider, along with information about that location.

The app allows users to call Michelin ONCall emergency road service directly from the search results or browse for providers by categories such as travel plazas, on-site tyre service or Michelin Retread Technologies (MRT) retread locations.

The iPhone app specifically was designed to also work on iPod Touch devices with similar functionality when connected to Wi-Fi, but without the GPS-based services, Michelin said.

“With the introduction of these iPhone and Android apps, smartphone users across the trucking industry now have easy access to Michelin product and service locations,” said Jaye Young, US marketing manager, MATT. “With today's on-the-go, real-time business environment, we are delivering information directly to our customers wherever they go.”

From Tire Business (A Crain publication)

Home page of apps on MATT website