Michelin Man Hits the Road in '' Whistle-Stop Bus Tour"

GREENVILLE, S.C.--Feb. 25, 2002--The Michelin Man, one of the world's most recognizable icons, is taking to America's roadways to win the vote for Mayor of Mobility and deliver his message of ``quality and innovation'' across the country. The whistle-stop bus tour will hit 16 cities in nine days and will also introduce a new advertising campaign, which stars the Michelin Man for the first time in North America.

The Michelin Man is running for the Mayor of Mobility to connect with consumers and talk about Michelin quality and innovation. Unlike other politicians who won't touch the issue of inflation, the Michelin Man encourages proper inflation in all tires for all people across the country. His platform is also based on a history of innovation that, for more than 100 years, has seen Michelin at the forefront of a host of great technological achievements - the space shuttle, the Concorde, the Segway Human Transporter and millions of vehicles all over the world. In fact the people have spoken - and continue to speak - through the J.D. Power and Associates Awards for customer satisfaction, where Michelin has won more awards than all other tire manufacturers combined.

``This campaign gives the Michelin Man a chance to mix with people and get face-to-face with public officials to discuss the importance of feeling confident on the road,'' said Alison Heiser, vice president of marketing for Michelin Americas Small Tires.

The Mayor of Mobility Campaign Tour will visit Greenville, Atlanta, Nashville, Louisville, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Akron, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, DC. During the tour the Michelin Man will meet with elected and other public officials in each city, hold campaign rallies to secure signed petitions supporting his candidacy, announce a well-known local running mate and communicate with media and consumers. He'll also promote traveling securely by giving away tire pressure gauges and Michelin travel guides at each event.

The campaign platform the Michelin Man is running on includes these planks:

We, the supporters of the Michelin Man, believe in the inalienable, natural rights of each American to feel secure on the road and to drive on the only best set of tires. We believe that inflation is something that should be encouraged, not stopped, and that proper inflation in all tires, for all people in America, is one of the keys to roadway security. We agree to work tirelessly to promote mobility for all Americans, in all driving conditions.