Honda, Nissan Choose Michelin(R) PAX System(TM)

DETROIT, Jan. 5, 2004 -- The Michelin(R) PAX System(TM) continues to gain ground in North America and Europe. Michelin announced today that Nissan will introduce a vehicle later this year with a Michelin PAX System option for the 2005 model year. Michelin also announced that it will provide PAX System to Honda for a new model later this year.

Michelin is ramping up production and establishing aftermarket service plans to support the growing demand for PAX System in North America. PAX System tires for Honda and Nissan will be produced by Michelin in one of its Columbia, S.C., facilities.

"We're pleased to add two outstanding vehicle manufacturers to the ever- growing list of PAX System customers," said Tom Chubb, vice president of marketing, Michelin Automotive Industry Division. "These upcoming vehicle introductions by Honda and Nissan will add significantly to the PAX System fleet in North America and will play an important role in bringing PAX System to broader segments of the market. The outstanding handling, ride comfort and fuel efficiency of PAX System with the added security of extended mobility makes it an increasingly attractive option for vehicle manufacturers and their design teams."

The fitments for Nissan and Honda vehicles in North America are the latest to be added by Michelin as adoption of the PAX System by automakers around the world continues to grow. At the 2003 NAIAS, the first North American fitment for PAX System was introduced on the Rolls Royce Phantom. PAX System has significant penetration in Europe including the Renault Scenic, Audi A8 and A6 and the Bugatti Veyron.

About Michelin PAX System:

Michelin introduced the PAX System in 1997. This revolutionary new system is an integrated system including a tire, an asymmetrical wheel, a flexible support ring inside the tire and a tire pressure monitoring system. In the event of a loss of air pressure, the PAX(R) tire rides on the inner support ring. The vehicle can continue to operate at 55mph for up to 125 miles. Although easily mounted and dismounted, a deflated PAX System(TM) tire does not come off the rim during normal highway operation due to the unique wheel and bead design.

When in normal operation, PAX System tires improve road handling, driving comfort and reduce rolling resistance by approximately 12 percent (which translates into better fuel economy) with no trade-off in tire performance. PAX System technology has already been adopted by Pirelli, Goodyear and Sumitomo Rubber Industries. More information can be found at www.paxsystem.com .

About Michelin

Michelin manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, maps and atlases covering Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America (www.michelin.com ) employs 24,290 and operates 21 plants in 17 locations.