Michelin: €2 million for lobbying in 2022

Amongst the replies to questions asked prior to the company’s Annual General Meeting on 12 May 2023, Michelin reveals that it gave out up to around €2 million for lobbying activities worldwide in 2022.

Reported lobbying expenses last year include US$370,000 in the USA, €1 million to €1,249,999 with the European Union, €160,000 in Germany and between €200,000 and €300,000 in France. Michelin notes that “reporting rules vary from country to country in terms of content,” which makes these figures “difficult to compare.” These are, however, the “main items” the company reported for 2022.

Although claiming it would be “impossible” to list “all relevant lobbying matters” given that it operates sales businesses in 170 countries and production facilities in 26, Michelin explains that its lobbying activities are “focused on five priority areas.” These are: market access; the environment, health and sustainable mobility; products and materials; competitiveness; and supporting Michelin’s ambitions “beyond” tyres.

Local correspondents to promote interests

Michelin supports its lobbying activities with a team of some 20 full-time or part-time equivalent staff in the main countries where it operates, especially in manufacturing. These “local correspondents” act to promote and defend the interests of Michelin and/or its local entities, and work in the following regions and countries:

Europe – France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, Romania, the Nordic countries and the United Kingdom, as well as in Brussels.

Africa, Middle East and India – South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, India and Sri Lanka.

Asia – Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, China and Australia.

The Americas – United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil.

Further details can be found within Michelin’s “Answers to written questions submitted prior to the Annual Shareholders Meeting” document.