Technology leader Michelin: Ask anyone who works in the tire industry on who is the leading technology company and the word Michelin is frequently repeated. For the last 2 decades, Michelin has out paced its rivals in terms of innovation and has constantly produce products which leave their competitors envy. While most of the common people knows about the Michelin star branding, relatively a few know that the concept came from a tire company 🙂
Michelin was founded in 1889 by 2 brothers called Édouard Michelin and André Michelin. After a slow start, Michelin stuck gold when they invented the radial tire in 1946 and successfully introduce the patented technology across to the world to become one of the biggest tire manufacturer.
From a sustainability standpoint, Michelin was the first to champion the sustainability issues and has always supported to use its tire down to the legal tread depth (1.6mm). It is also introduce the concept of performance over life time to demonstrate its commitment of reducing emission while ensuring its tire maintains a top level performance through out its lifetime.
While from a safety stand point, Michelin has consistently able to published test data showing its superior wet braking ability against other premium competitor. Products such as XM2+, Primacy 4st & Primacy SUV were all best in class when it comes to wet braking. With the upcoming Micheline Primacy E obtaining a rolling resistance A & wet braking B label ,it would certainly be something to look forward to when it comes to APAC.
Safety & sustainability, these 2 words summarize nicely what Michelin stands for. You can always count on Michelin to provide first class innovative products.
| Segment | Product |
| Comfort | Energy XM2+ (2019) |
| Touring | Primacy 4st (2017) |
| UHP | Pilot Sport 4 (2016) |
| SUV | Primacy SUV (2015) |
Michelin’s core APAC tirelines
From a European press test perspective, Michelin has a balance win rate throughout is tire portfolio. This demonstrates its main technical excellence whereby it can compete in all different domains.
| Press test wins percentage | 19% |
| Tireline with the most wins. | Primacy 4 (5 wins out of 21 test) |
Michelin’s press test record
Michelin
| Comfort | Touring | UHP | UUHP | All season | Winter | Nordic stud | Nordic soft | Total | % | |
| Michelin | Energy Saver+ | Primacy 4 | Pilot Sport 4 | Pilot Sport 4S | Cross Climate+ | Alpin 6 | X-Ice North 4 | X-Ice Snow | ||
| 1st | – | 5/21 | 1/10 | 4/13 | 4/23 | 0/15 | 4/8 | 0/4 | 18/94 | 0.19 |
| 2nd | – | 3/21 | 4/10 | 3/13 | 4/23 | 1/15 | 2/8 | 1/4 | 18/94 | 0.19 |
Michelin press test results for its current tire lineup.
As the leading technology leader, Michelin fair pretty well in the press test by winning close to 20% of every press test it has participated. There are definitely certain tire lines of Michelin which outshine its sisters. The studded tire X-ice North 4 won 50% of its test while the the Alpin 6 from the winter category has never won a press test yet despite entering 15 of them. The summer section of Michelin did ok with a few test wins where Primacy 4 is leading the pack. In summary, Michelin has a good balance of products demonstrating its technological strength in all tire segments.