Budd–Michelin rubber-tired rail cars which featured innovative and distinctive pneumatic tires. The company claimed that its application of tires on its rail cars afforded both a substantially more cushioned ride and increased the cars' traction by 35%. The design of Michelin's tired wheels included an aluminum safety ring and a flange that were only used in the event of a puncture or other type of tire failure; during normal operation, only the rubber tire made contact with the rail. Inspired by Michelin's success, the Budd Company set its sights on marrying the new rubber rail tires with its shot-welded, stainless-steel carbodies; it had developed
Cheng Shin Rubber Cheng Shin Rubber Cheng Shin Rubber Industry Co. () is the ninth largest tire company in the world. Established in 1967, in Yuanlin City, Changhua County, Taiwan, by Luo Jye. Maxxis is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cheng Shin. Cheng Shin Rubber only produced bicycle tires. As the company grew and extended its reach beyond Asia, it expanded into new market segments, producing full lines of tires for passenger car, bus, truck, light truck, bicycle, motorcycle, ATV, race kart, trailer, industrial and lawn & garden. In 2015 Cheng Shin had worldwide revenue of over $3.85 billion. Operating under the name