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The growth of the wide body truck market in mining in China has been unprecedented, and they are now increasingly being used in mining markets outside of China including South America, Indonesia, Southern and Central Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East and elsewhere – including Europe. There are numerous OEMs involved, but the likes of XCMG, Tonly, LGMG, Yutong, Sany and LiuGong are seeing the most consistent use.
Chinese tyre suppliers such as Sailun/MAXAM and Techking have already developed wide body truck specific tyres that are already being widely used within China, and to some extent overseas, but despite this, because the trucks are relatively new to the market outside of China, there has still been some uncertainty about the right types of tyres to use.
In addition, there have been concerns about a lack of established or consistent inflation pressure protocols or guidance, especially for the larger tonnage models which sit somewhere between ADTs and rigid trucks.
It was only a matter of time before the big Western tyre players got involved in the market – and Michelin has just launched its first tyre specifically developed for the new generation of wide body trucks, it says “introducing its renowned standards of safety and performance to a segment that has historically been dominated by Tier-3 products.”
The MICHELIN XDR Wide Body Truck tyre is described as a premium option for mining fleets: “It is designed to withstand high loads and speeds, while delivering exceptional robustness and puncture resistance in the most demanding mining environments.”
Kevin Maleterre, Director of Michelin Beyond Road, says: “Wide body trucks are playing an increasingly important role in mining operations. With the MICHELIN XDR Wide Body Truck, we are applying our expertise in mining applications to this new generation of vehicles, with a clear ai: to help our customers combine safety, productivity and the development of their fleets.”
Michelin says highly versatile, wide body trucks offer an attractive balance between payload capacity, safety and acquisition cost, which explains their growing adoption in mining operations around the world. “Combining intensive field analysis and agility, Michelin developed and launched this new tyre in less than two years, demonstrating its commitment to meeting mining customers’ needs for safety and productivity.”
Designed to meet growing demands for safety, productivity and operating cost control, the MICHELIN XDR Wide Body Truck fitment it adds supports the evolution of mining fleets towards more efficient and increasingly electrified haulage solutions.
The company continues: “In mining operations, the safety of people and equipment is a priority. In these particularly demanding environments, a tyre failure can have significant consequences for safety and the continuity of operations. To address this critical challenge, the new tyre features an innovative casing fully reinforced with thick steel cords.”
This enables it to carry 12 t (26,786 lbs) per tyre while operating at a recommended pressure of 9-bar (130PSI). “These recommendations are significantly lower than those typically observed in this market segment, helping to reduce the risk of tyre blowout.”
It says the MICHELIN XDR Wide Body Truck can carry heavy loads at sustained speeds, helping operators maintain high levels of productivity. “Intended for intensive duty cycles, the tyre delivers strong traction, particularly on soft or muddy ground. Its robust tread compound provides strong resistance to damage, excellent grip and long service life, helping optimise total cost of ownership. This design helps reduce unplanned downtime and maintenance costs, improve equipment availability and optimise material haulage volumes.”
The MICHELIN XDR Wide Body Truck tyre will be launched worldwide in its first size, 16.00R25, on 1 November 2026, with additional sizes to come.
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