Method and device for manufacturing an antistatic vehicle tire

The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a tread layer of a tire, the tread layer comprising a rubber mixture and a conductive insert that extends across the thickness of the tread layer from the ground contacting surface of the tread layer to a conductive rubber layer arranged underneath the tread layer. The method comprises extruding the tread layer rubber using an extruder provided with at least one extrusion screw; temporarily dividing the extruded tread layer in the thickness direction thereof to produce free surfaces in the tread layer; coating the free surfaces with a conductive rubber mixture; and rejoining the free surfaces whereby the conductive rubber mixture forms the conductive insert. The invention further relates to a device for carrying out the method, and to a tire provided with thin conductive inserts to provide antistatic behavior.