COMPANY car drivers could soon avoid the inconvenience of changing a flat tyre by the roadside, thanks to a new joint venture between Goodyear and Michelin.

The two tyre giants have agreed to co-operate in the research and development of 'run-flat' tyre technology through a joint venture in the Netherlands.

In the event of a puncture, run-flat tyres allow drivers to continue driving even if a tyre has no air pressure. This means drivers can continue to a garage for a replacement tyre, rather than face the unpleasant task of changing a wheel by the roadside.

Goodyear and Michelin believe their partnership will accelerate the introduction of run-flat technology into new cars.

Under the terms of the joint venture, Goodyear will licence its extended mobility technology and pressure monitoring system patents to Michelin, while Michelin will licence its run-flat PAX system to Goodyear. (August 2000)