Where We’re Going

Our commitment to the future

Michelin announced investments in North America totaling $346 million in 2005. These investments were made across product lines and in both the U.S. and Canada. Michelin capped 2006 with an announcement to build a new tread processing plant in Queretaro, Mexico, adjacent to Michelin Mexico headquarters and its passenger tire plant.

Innovation

Research, Development and Testing

Producing the highest quality tires that deliver miles and miles of driving pleasure isn’t luck. It starts at the Michelin Americas Research and Development Corporation, where innovation and technology converge with the real-world needs of demanding consumers in a highly fragmented industry. Employing 888 people, mostly engineers, Michelin’s R&D center in North America has developed some of the finest products in the world, including the first 80,000-mile passenger tire for American-made vehicles. Rather than focusing on one strong attribute, Michelin tires deliver just the right combination of benefits. For example, great handling combines with exceptional wet traction and high mileage together with comfort. That’s because Michelin engineers are not content with any sort of compromise or trade-offs.

Laurens Proving Ground

A vital extension of Michelin’s research and development community is the Michelin test facility in Laurens, S.C. This 3,500-acre site maintains 12 special tracks of varying lengths and surfaces for testing tires and suspension systems and for driver training. Engineers test tires for noise, adherence to wet surfaces, gravel endurance, off-road inclines, traction in mud, and vehicle dynamics, such as high-speed lane change and drift. Used primarily by Michelin, the facility also offers other groups test opportunities, such as vibration analysis and chassis loading tests in a confidential environment. The facility is also used to train law enforcement officers from North and South Carolina to enhance their skills in handling emergency situations.

Training, Sales, and Marketing

A large degree of Michelin’s success in North America can be attributed to its sales and marketing groups. Michelin has long been recognized by the industry for having the best and most complete training for its sales force. The current training center in Greenville, S.C., not only conducts sales training but also hosts Michelin dealer sales personnel from all over the country to help them become more professional salespeople and better business managers. Michelin marketing teams strive each day and in every category of tires to bring increased value to consumers.

Learn more about Michelin innovation

A better way forward®

There’s a place where the road of tomorrow is being created today. From tires that make your car more fuel efficient and safer to production and recycling methods that reduce our impact on the environment. Michelin is striving to help you find a better way forward®.

Learn more about Michelin’s a better way forward®

Environmental Protection

As a core value, protecting the environment is pervasive throughout all facets of Michelin operations. It is a value that says growing market share or delivering revenue will not be accomplished at the expense of the environment. Whether participating and leading studies on the effect tires have on the environment or working to get membership for all the plants in the EPA National Performance Track program, Michelin is concerned about every aspect of the impact its operations has on the environment. To date, nine plants are members of the EPA National Performance Track program for environmental improvements beyond requirements. Michelin is one of the first tire manufacturers to have taken this step.

Give me more information on Michelin's role in protecting the environment (Adobe PDF)

MICHELIN Challenge Bibendum

Michelin North America today

Since 1998, the Michelin Group has hosted MICHELIN Challenge Bibendum®, a global forum inviting hundreds of carmakers, energy suppliers, and technology associates as well as non-governmental organizations and politicians to help develop clean vehicles and sustainable mobility.

Learn more about MICHELIN Challenge Bibendum®