Newest Consumer-Satisfaction Honors Swell Michelin Trophy Case

DETROIT, Jan. 12, 2005 -- The Michelin Man(TM) will have to expand his trophy case to make room for three new awards the company recently received, for J.D. Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction studies on tires. Since J.D. Power and Associates began gauging consumer satisfaction with tires in 1989, Michelin has won 62 top rankings around the world in eight different countries.

Michelin is looking for more shelf space for the newest awards in the United States, pushing its total to 41. Michelin ranked first in original equipment tires for the luxury sport, sport utility (SUV) and the mass market/non luxury tire classes. Michelin also topped the ratings for brand loyalty.

"Since 1989, American consumers have ranked Michelin highest for consumer satisfaction more than twice as many times as all other tire companies combined," said Tom Chubb, vice president of marketing for Michelin Automotive Industries Division. "We are proud that we have been able to work with our automotive partners to consistently achieve the highest levels of consumer satisfaction in the industry."

During the 15 year-span of the J.D. Power and Associates surveys, Michelin was ranked highest 41 times for original equipment tires and 21 times for its replacement market tires. While 66 percent of the awards were won in the United States, the remaining 33 percent were won in seven different countries.

   Country                   J.D. Power and Associates Awards
   Canada                                  2
   China                                   2
   Germany                                 3
   Japan                                   3
   Thailand                                2
   Taiwan                                  2
   United Kingdom                          7
   United States                          41
   TOTAL                                  62

The world's largest tire maker, Michelin (http://www.michelin.com/ ) 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 employs 23,000 and operates 21 plants in 17 locations.