Michelin to provide custom engineered tires for Ford performance vehicles

• Michelin, producer of some of the world’s highest-performing sports car and off-road tires, to supply fitments for Ford Performance vehicle lineup
• Ford and Michelin engineers collaborate from program inception on unique tire constructions and compounds for each Ford Performance vehicle
• Ford chooses Michelin as its technical associate for all-new Ford GT race program as it prepares to return to Le Mans in 2016

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 3, 2015 – Ford and Michelin are entering into an official relationship for Ford Performance vehicles. Producer of some of the world’s highest-performing sports car and off-road tires, Michelin will provide tire fitments for the Ford Performance vehicle lineup, including Ford GT, Shelby® GT350 and Shelby GT350R Mustang, Fiesta ST, Focus ST and RS, and F-150 Raptor.

Recognizing tires are a critical aspect of a performance vehicle, Ford and Michelin engineers will continue to collaborate from vehicle inception to develop customized tires that meet a wide range of performance targets, including lateral grip; noise, vibration and harshness; and durability. Each tire is independently designed and developed in close collaboration on each program to maximize the vehicle’s performance envelope.

“We have a long relationship with Michelin, and could not ask for a better teammate to help extract maximum capability from our vehicles,” said Dave Pericak, director, Ford Performance. “That confidence extends from our upcoming racing effort at Le Mans in 2016 with the all-new Ford GT, to the Ford Performance vehicle lineup, including Shelby GT350 and F-150 Raptor.”

In addition to its racing support, Michelin will provide both standard and optional tire fitments for Ford Performance production vehicles, including the all-new Ford GT (Michelin Pilot® Sport Cup 2), Shelby GT350 (Michelin Pilot Super Sport), Shelby GT350R (Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2), Focus RS (Michelin Pilot Super Sport; Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 on the optional forged 19-inch wheels), Focus ST (Michelin Pilot), Fiesta ST (Michelin Pilot) and the upcoming 2017 F-150 Raptor (BFGoodrich® All-Terrain T/A KO2).

“Our tire development teams are excited to be working hand-in-hand with Ford on these amazing vehicles,” said Thom Roach, vice president, original equipment marketing, Michelin North America. “The Michelin Pilot tires and BFGoodrich T/A KO2 tires on Ford Performance vehicles are all custom-tuned to help maximize vehicle performance on multiple fronts.