Michelin Declares 2004 'Year of Performance' for North American Drivers

West McLaren Mercedes Formula One Racer Kimi Raikkonen Rolls Out New Michelin(R) Pilot(R) Sport PS2(TM) tire

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 6 -- American drivers and motorcyclists can thank the likes of West McLaren Mercedes Formula One race car driver Kimi Raikkonen and Moto GP rider Valentino Rossi for helping to prove some of the technologies in five new ultra-high-performance Michelin(R) tires that will go on sale next year.

Raikkonen, West McLaren Mercedes driver of car #6, joined Michelin North America, Inc. to preview the new tires at a press briefing during the SEMA show. The 24-year-old Finnish racer amassed an outstanding record this year, riding on Michelin Pilot racing tires. He won the Formula One Grand Prix of Malaysia, the pole at the U.S. Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and finished on the podium ten times. Overall, Raikkonen was the runner-up in the 2003 Formula One World driver championship.

Winning performances will come to passenger car drivers in 2004 when Michelin's four new car tires and one new motorcycle tire go on sale. First among the car tires is the Michelin(R) Pilot(R) Sport PS2(TM) ultra-high- performance summer tire that goes on sale in March. The Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 shares a distinctly Formula One-inspired, four-groove tread design, which draws upon the company's technology and learnings from Formula One.

When tested against the original Michelin Pilot Sport tire, the new Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 scored an outright victory in all respects.

"Driving enthusiasts will come out ahead with the new ultra-high- performance Michelin Pilot Sport PS2-and the three other ultra-high- performance tires we will introduce next year," said Sheryl Henderson, Michelin brand director. "The one common thread running through all of these products is the technology Michelin has developed at motorsports events around the world, from Formula One, to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, to World Rally Championship, to MotoGP."

The new Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 is currently available on some of the most exotic and coveted new sports cars sold in North America and around the globe -- Bugatti Veyron, Porsche Carrera GT, GT2, GT3, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren and BMW Alpina Z8.

Two passenger car tires will debut in June, the Michelin(R) Pilot(R) Exalto PE2(TM), a summer ultra-high-performance tire, and the all-season ultra-high-performance Michelin(R) Pilot(R) XGT Z4(TM). Going on sale in September, just in time for colder weather, will be the Michelin(R) Pilot(R) Alpin(R) PA2(TM) high-performance winter tire for passenger cars.

In January, the Michelin(R) Pilot(R) Power goes on sale for sport motorcycles. It has already been approved as original equipment on the major new bike for 2004, the Yamaha YZF 1000 R1.

Michelin's new ultra-high-performance passenger car and motorcycle tires that will be introduced next year are:

                                Available         Rim           Speed
                                in '04           diameter       rating
  Michelin(R) Pilot(R)
   Power (sport
   motorcycles)                  January         17 inches      W
  Michelin(R) Pilot(R)                           17 to 22
   Sport PS2(TM)                 March           inches         Y, (Y)
  Michelin(R) Pilot(R)                           15 to 17
   Exalto PE2(TM)                June            inches         V, W
  Michelin(R) Pilot(R)                           16 to 18
   XGT Z4(TM)                    June            inches         W
  Michelin(R) Pilot(R)                           15 to 18
   Alpin(R) PA2(TM)              September       inches         H, V

McLaren International, the company behind the West McLaren Mercedes team, was formed in September 1980 as a result of a merger between Team McLaren and Project Four, a British company owned by Ron Dennis, now Chairman and CEO of the TAG McLaren Group. McLaren has won 11 Formula One Drivers' Championships and eight Formula One Constructors' Championships including the 1998 and 1999 Drivers' World Championship. McLaren has competed in Formula One since 1966 and has proven to be one of the most successful Formula One teams of all time with 137 Grands Prix wins. To date, McLaren has raced in 559 Grands Prix. www.mclaren.com