Michelin Sweeps 2005 J.D. Power and Associates Original Equipment Awards

Consumer Awards Sweep Matches Success in Formula One; World Rally Championship; MotoGP and Le Mans

GREENVILLE, S.C., Sept. 12 -- Today's news that Michelin has ranked highest in all four categories of the prestigious J.D. Power and Associates Awards for original equipment tire customer satisfaction is "extremely gratifying," said Tom Chubb, vice president of Marketing, Michelin Automotive Industry Division.

Michelin topped the rankings in the luxury/sport tire; mass-market/non- luxury tire; pickup/full-size van tire and SUV tire ratings in the J.D. Power and Associates 2005 Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study(SM) released today.

"We are delighted that consumers continue to voice their appreciation and support for the technology, quality, performance and value of our Michelin product lines. It is also a tribute to our OE customers who select Michelin products for application on their vehicles," said Chubb. "We are also pleased to see the strong support for our BFGoodrich Tires which placed second only to Michelin in the SUV and pick-up tire categories."

The latest awards bring Michelin's total to 45 for J.D. Power and Associates Original Equipment and Replacement Tire Awards in the United States, more than doubling the combined total of all other competitors.

The world's largest tire company, Michelin is the technology partner of choice for many of the world's premier vehicle manufacturers.

In addition to the J.D. Power and Associates Awards, Michelin is enjoying considerable success in 2005 motorsports competition. The Formula One World Championship Driver and Constructor championships are heading Michelin's way as Fernando Alonso / Renault and Kimi Raikkonen / McLaren Mercedes have eliminated all other contenders for the respective titles.

Michelin riders, led by Valentino Rossi, have won all eleven races to date in the 2005 MotoGP competition and currently hold the top seven spots in the championship.

Sebastien Loeb and Citroen lead the respective World Rally Championship driver and Manufacturer championships with eight victories in the first eleven races.

In June, Michelin teams, led by Champion Audi, claimed their eighth consecutive victory in the fabled 24 Hours of Le Mans, taking the top six places and victories in three classes.

"Competition in the marketplace and on the track demands innovative technology, continuous improvement and focus on the end user," said Chubb. "These awards and the race wins are a confirmation of that focus. We would like to thank our OE partners and the consumers for their continued trust and support."

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 over 23,000 and operates 20 plants in 16 locations.