Michelin Wins Three More J.D. Power Awards

DETROIT, Sept. 20 -- Michelin once again dominated the J.D. Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction Study for original equipment (OE) tires, claiming three awards in results announced today.

Michelin ranked first in OE tires for the luxury sport, sport utility (SUV) and the mass market/non luxury tire segments in the latest J.D. Power study. Michelin also topped the ratings for brand loyalty.

The latest awards won by Michelin raise its total to 41 in the United States. Since their inception in 1995, Michelin has won more J.D. Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction Awards than all other tire manufacturers combined.

"We are always pleased when consumers rank Michelin highest," said Tom Chubb, vice president of marketing for Michelin Automotive Industries Division. "Meeting the needs of our OE customers, and through them, the needs of the consumer, is vitally important to Michelin. Vehicle manufacturers face an incredibly competitive marketplace where consumers have high expectations and many choices from which to choose. We are proud that we are able to work with our OE partners to consistently achieve the highest levels of consumer satisfaction in the industry."

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, Africa and North America. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America (http://www.michelin.com/ ) employs 23,920 and operates 21 plants in 17 locations.