Tyre industry pioneers, Michelin has a long history. Having begun in 1889, Michelin is now the second-largest tyre manufacturer in the world after Bridgestone and larger than both Goodyear and Contineantal.
The results of the 2022 China Brand Power Index (C-BPI) are out, and leading brand rating and consulting agency Chnbrand has once again ranked Michelin as the clear favourite in its automotive tyre brand ranking. Michelin has occupied the top spot every year since the inaugural rating was published in 2011.
The latest Michelin all-season tyre for SUVs has been launched in European markets. Arriving from 1 May, Michelin says the CrossClimate 2 SUV is targeted at “drivers seeking a safe ride first and foremost, regardless of the SUV category.” It adds that this “new generation of four-season tyres” combines “multiple performances” and allows drivers to “contend with the majority of weather conditions, no matter the season.” CrossClimate 2 SUV is available at launch in 40 dimensions for 17- to 20-inch rim diameters.
Anish K. Taneja and Michelin are parting ways. According to an internal memo that has been circulating since the end of last week, he will leave the French tyre maker at his own request on 1 June 2022. Michelin has also already appointed Taneja’s successor as president and chief executive officer of its Europe North region.
Michelin Group has reported that its first quarter 2022 sales amounted to 6.5 billion euros, a 19 per cent increase on the first quarter of 2021. According to the company, price increases and strengthening replacement demand helped it offset headwinds including operation disruptions and inflationary pressures exacerbated by the conflict in Ukraine plus the resurgence of Covid-19 in China.
Wrexham-based haulage firm BJ Clarke is reaping the benefits of Michelin’s accidental tyre damage guarantee following a recent incident which totally wiped out two of its trailer tyres. James Clarke, Director at BJ Clarke and son of owners Brian and Nancy, says: “One of our trucks rolled over a girder that was sticking out near the roadside, at no fault of the driver, completely taking out two of the trailer’s tyres on one side. Usually, we would have been looking at a replacement bill of roughly £900 but thanks to the tyre guarantee we got 75 per cent of that paid back to us, to help fund the new tyres.”
The California Energy Commission (CEC) has selected Symbio – the joint venture created by Michelin and Faurecia in 2019 with the aim of becoming a world leader in hydrogen mobility – to develop and demonstrate a hydrogen-fuelled, regional-haul Class 8 truck for a state-supported hydrogen mobility project. Symbio will collaborate on this project with Michelin, Faurecia and other industry partners, including energy transitions research and training organisation GTI.
Michelin hasn’t only halted its tyre production in and exports to Russia in response to the current situation in Ukraine. It has announced that the Michelin Guide team has suspended all restaurant recommendation activities in the country.
At a ceremony held in Phoenix, Arizona this month, General Motors (GM) honoured 134 suppliers based in 16 countries. The vehicle manufacturer’s 2021 Supplier of the Year awardees included five tyre makers – Bridgestone Corporation, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Hankook Tire & Technology, Maxxis Tires and Michelin North America.
A new range of premium Michelin bicycle tyres has arrived, shipped in packaging that is now 100 per cent recyclable. Michelin says it designed the Michelin Power Cup for “road cyclists looking for the ultimate performance” and promises that this new range “offers something for everyone” – from riders racing in the Grand Tours to enthusiastic amateurs who just want the optimum riding performance.
Motoring organisation RAC has moved to “set record straight” following controversial remarks from Environment Secretary George Eustice that electric vehicles (EV) may not be as green as people think. In order to do that the RAC, which wants to speed up EV take-up, commissioned battery electrochemist Dr Euan McTurk to address the suggestion that EVs produce more particulate from brake and tyre wear than their petrol and diesel counterparts.
The Michelin Group has announced that is suspending all its “industrial activity” in Russia as well as suspending its exports to Russia.
Michelin’s Davydovo tyre production plant near Moscow employs about 750 people and manufactures passenger car tyres and retreaded truck tyres. According to a statement from Michelin released on 15 March 2022, the Davydovo site’s production is “mainly for the local market”.
Modern Tyres has supplied a set of Michelin X Multi regional truck tyres to Craigavon-based MST Transport for fitment to a very special restoration of an iconic Scania truck. The Northern Irish haulier has painstakingly restored a Scania Royal Centurion 143 – one of only 100 Centurion models released in 1991 to celebrate the Swedish manufacturer’s 100th anniversary.
From 1 March, motorhome drivers keen to extend the camping season beyond the summer months have a new tyre option in the form of the Michelin CrossClimate Camping. By summer 2022 Michelin will offer the tyre in eight dimensions, a line-up that covers 99 per cent of the market.
Ferrari has selected Michelin as an official tyre supplier for its new 296 GTB. Michelin will supply two different tyres for the car – the predominantly road-oriented Pilot Sport 4S K1 and the road legal Pilot Sport Cup 2R K2. The tyre maker says this latter product is for “drivers wishing to push the limits of their car on track.”
Michelin has once again topped the tyre table within Brand Finance’s ranking of the world’s strongest and most valuable brands. Michelin achieved a brand value of US$7.7 billion and a brand strength index score of 85.8 out of 100.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.
Michelin; Jefferies
Michelin
Tookapic; Pixabay
Michelin
Michelin
Brand Finance