Michelin shares its secret for long-lasting tyres

Superior performance developed over time

1920s – It all started with our culture to innovate, which was ingrained in us from the very beginning. A system called Progress Ideas was introduced in 1927. It gave everyone, whatever their function, the opportunity to get involved in the company’s progress by suggesting ideas to solve problems or improve the way Michelin handled tasks. Generating high-performance tyres was already a key concern for the group as far back as the 1920s.

1930s – With an eagerness to keep drivers going, Michelin was the first to introduce the concept of a run-flat tyre in 1934. The tyre would basically run on a special foam lining if it was punctured. The tyre was built to help prevent blowouts, which was a common and dangerous occurrence in the 1930s.

1940s – Michelin introduced the world’s first radial passenger tyre in 1946 under the X Michelin tyres brand to improve safety, create more economic fuel spends and extend the longevity of the tyre. The tyre was developed under the guidance of Marius Mignol who was testing the performance evaluations of tyre treads in isolation, without the side wall attached. To connect the tread to the drive hub, loops of wire were used in a radial configuration from the hub to the tread. This was the origin of the first radial tyre. Based on this method, it became obvious that the key to an improved design was to separate the design of the tread and sidewall areas according to their functional roles.

1960s – When other tyre manufacturers caught onto the concept of a radial tyre, Michelin set about improving the technology. Customers valued the X tyre because it lasted, so it came as no surprise that slogans such as “quality that lasts” and “discover the secret of longer life” were popular at the time.

1990s – Michelin created a green tyre by combining silica (made from sand) instead of carbon black with a synthetic elastomer. The process made it possible to produce low-rolling resistance and better grip on cold surfaces while maintaining durability. This was the era of the “green tyre”.

2014 – Michelin’s EverGrip technology made its debut in this year. It offered drivers a high- performance, long-lasting product that regenerated as the tyre wore down. There are hidden groves built into the shoulder that emerge when the tyre wears down and the shape of the grooves in the tread allow it to expand over time. Check out the science of it right here.

2017 – A true test of our performance was demonstrated when a German magazine published the test results on old versus new all-season tyres.

Jean-Dominique Senard, Michelin Group CEO, says: “For over a century now, Michelin has been building a successful company driven by a thirst for innovation, a quest for excellence and a desire for social progress. We owe our success to the dedication of the people who work for Michelin the world over and who are ready and willing to meet the challenges that lie before us and those that lie ahead of us.”

Michelin is inventing the future every day, one tyre at a time. Find your next set of Michelin tyres and start moving forward with us.