Continental and Michelin are Top Tire Brands in J.D. Power and Associates Study on OE Tires

18 August 1997
Continental and Michelin are Top Tire Brands in J.D. Power and Associates Study on OE Tires

    AGOURA HILLS, Calif. Aug. 18 -- Results of the J.D. Power and
Associates 1997 Original Equipment Tire Satisfaction Study(SM) announced
today, place Continental Tire as best in passenger vehicle tires.  Michelin
captures the top spot for light truck tires in the study that reports on how
consumers feel about the original equipment tires (OE) on their one-year-old
vehicles.  The results of the study are based on the experiences and opinions
of more than 15,700 consumers who responded to questions concerning tire
quality and performance as well as brand image and service.
    The passenger vehicle tire category includes both cars and compact vans.
These vehicles cater to customers who indicate that a smooth ride or sporty
performance handling is essential.  Continental Tire advances to the top
position from third place last year.  Close behind them in passenger tires is
Michelin, followed by Uniroyal, Pirelli, Goodyear and Toyo.  All of these
brands rank above or equal to the industry average of the 12 tire brands
ranked in this year's OE study of passenger tires.  Michelin and Pirelli tied
for first place in last year's study.
    The Light Truck category is comprised of compact and full-size sport
utility vehicles and pickup trucks as well as full-size vans.  These vehicles
are grouped together because of their more heavy-duty capabilities such as
towing heavy loads and occasional off-road performance.  Michelin receives top
honors in this category, as they did last year.  Bridgestone holds onto second
place.  BFGoodrich and Goodyear round out those brands above the industry
average of the seven tire brands ranked on light truck vehicles.
    "The satisfaction index of OE tires on passenger cars and compact vans has
held constant over the past three years.  1997's industry average of 112 marks
a significant increase in consumers' satisfaction with tires," commented Lee
Nauert, manager of tire research at J.D. Power and Associates.  "Improvements
are revealed in all measures, but especially in style and the more important
wearability, which includes mileage and even-tread wear."
    "Total satisfaction with light truck tires remains unchanged at 92 over
the last three years.  Higher scores this year for wearability are offset by
lower ratings for ride, snow/off-road traction and problems incurred.  The
overall light truck tire satisfaction index historically remains below that of
car and compact van tires, and is currently 20 points behind.  The index
identifies great improvement opportunities for the light truck tire industry,"
Mr. Nauert concluded.
    Owners and lessees of luxury automobiles, other large cars and premium
sporty cars receive the highest tire satisfaction, particularly in the areas
of wearability, safety, style and ride of their tires.  The lowest
satisfaction scores come from drivers of pickup trucks and entry compact cars.
Vehicles that sport the most satisfying original equipment tires are, in
alphabetical order:

    --  Audi,
    --  Buick,
    --  BMW,
    --  Cadillac,
    --  Chrysler,
    --  Jaguar,
    --  Land Rover,
    --  Lincoln,
    --  Mercedes-Benz, and
    --  Oldsmobile.

    The annual J.D. Power and Associates Original Equipment Tire Satisfaction
Study(SM) provides a nationally representative sample of owners and lessees of
all makes and models of 1996 passenger cars, vans, pickup trucks and sport
utility vehicles sold in the U.S.  The study is funded entirely by J.D. Power
and Associates to provide a comprehensive and independent perspective of the
tire industry.  The study features six performance measures:

    --  Product quality,
    --  Wearability,
    --  Safety-traction.,
    --  Special traction,
    --  Ride, and
    --  Styling

    J.D. Power and Associates is an international firm best known for its
marketing information services in key business sectors including market
research, forecasting, and customer satisfaction.  The firm's quality and
satisfaction measurements are based on actual customer responses from over a
million consumers annually.  With its headquarters in Agoura Hills,
California, the firm also has U.S. offices in Torrance, California; Michigan;
and Connecticut.  Its international locations include Japan, Korea, England,
Canada and Brazil
    J.D. Power, and Associates can be accessed through the World Wide Web at
 http://www.jdpower.com. Email:  info@jdpower.com.
    No advertising, or other promotional use can be made of the information in
this release or J.D. Power and Associates survey results without the express
prior written consent of J.D. Power and Associates.

SOURCE  J.D. Power and Associates