Competition is the Heart of Michelin's Racing Program

    GREENVILLE, S.C., Sept. 6 Competition helps Michelin
maintain its edge as the industry leader in technology and innovation.  The
tiremaker views its motor sports program as an integral part of its research
and development process.
    "We race to learn and we race to win," said Michelin Vice President of
Marketing Alison Heiser.  "What we learn on the track translates directly into
real world benefits for our consumers."  The tiremaker points to the new
Michelin radial tire, Michelin NZG, which is helping return the Concorde
supersonic aircraft to flight.  "The genesis for the NZG tire came out of our
racing program," said Heiser.  "Now, that same technology is helping to
revolutionize an industry.  That for us is a true win."
    Much more than a marketing tool, the racetrack is a laboratory of sorts
for Michelin engineers.  "When Michelin goes racing, we choose technologically
demanding projects that allow us to go head-to-head with other tire
manufacturers," comments Herb Johnson, director of motor sports for Michelin
North America.  "Michelin is a company of innovators who thrive on
competition.  And our winning record shows how Michelin quality dominates on
the track, as well as on the highway."
    Michelin swept the 2000 Tire Championships in all categories of the
American Le Mans Series (ALMS) and has already clinched the 2001 Award in the
LMP900 category, with a significant lead in GT.  Additionally, in its first
year back in Formula 1 racing, Michelin has posted three wins this season.
The tiremaker also dominated at the 24 Hours of Le Mans earlier this year,
winning the endurance race for the fourth year in a row.  At Le Mans, Michelin
supplied tires for the winning Audi and three other teams in the top five.
Goodyear, Yokohama, and Dunlop compete against Michelin in ALMS.  Bridgestone
races the tiremaker in F1.
    With 29 J.D. Power and Associate Awards for customer satisfaction,
Michelin manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including
airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty
trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle.  The company also publishes travel
guides, maps and atlases covering Europe, Asia, and North America.
Headquartered in Greenville, SC, Michelin North America (http://www.michelin.com)
employs 26,500 and operates 23 plants in 19 locations.

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