Michelin is one of the world’s largest and most popular tire brands. In the business for over a century, the brand is well-known for manufacturing high-quality tires that fit vehicles ranging from small cars to large commercial trucks and aircraft. However, many car owners are curious about where Michelin tires are made, and the simple answer is that the tire giant has manufacturing plants worldwide.
Established in 1889, Michelin is currently the largest tire manufacturer in the world, overtaking Japan’s Bridgestone corporation in recent years to claim the top spot. Over the years, they have positioned themselves as a brand with a strong focus on technology, quality, sustainability, and innovation. Their extensive tire lineup includes all-season, winter, off-road, and performance tires, offering the best handling, grip, traction, and comfort in different conditions
Are Michelin tires made in the US? Is it an American brand?
Michelin is a French multinational tiremaker with its headquarters in Clermont-Ferrand in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. However, it has regional headquarters and manufacturing facilities worldwide, including a few in North America. Also, they acquired the Uniroyal-Goodrich company in 1989, strengthening its North American presence.
Michelin headquarters in Clermont-Ferrand, France
Fabien1309, CC BY-SA 2.0 FR, via Wikimedia Commons
Michelin North America has its headquarters in Greenville, South Carolina, and the manufacturing happens in its plants in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and South Carolina. Below is a list of all Michelin plants across the US:
- Dothan, AL – Light truck tires
- Tuscaloosa, AL – Passenger tires
- Covington, GA – Tread rubber and retreading materials
- Fort Wayne, IN – Car tires
- Kansas City, MO – Aircraft treading
- Asheboro, NC – Tread rubber and Retreading Materials
- Norwood, NC – Aircraft tires
- Ardmore, OK – Passenger tires
- Duncan, SC – Tread rubber and retreading materials
- Greenville, SC – Passenger tires
- Starr, SC – Earthmover tires and semi-finished products
- Lexington, SC – Passenger tires facility
- Lexington, SC – Earthmover tires
- Sandy Springs, SC – Semi-finished products
- Spartanburg, SC – Truck and bus tires
Recommended read: The Inside Story: Where Are Cooper Tires Made
Where are Michelin tires made outside of the US?
Michelin has their global headquarters and their main factory in Clermont-Ferrand in France. Apart from that, they also make tires in different countries like:
Asia
- India
- Japan
- Thailand
Michelin also had a facility in Ota, Japan, shut down in 2010.
Europe
- Germany
- Italy
- Poland
- Serbia
- Spain
- United Kingdom
America
- Canada
- Brazil
- United States
Understanding where your Michelin tire was made
Tires bought in the US usually have an alphanumeric DOT code on their sidewalls. Decoding this can help you understand when and where your Michelin tire was made.
The DOT code will often begin with the letters “DOT” and end with a series of numbers and characters indicating the location of the tire’s manufacturing. While DOT means ‘Department of Transportation,’ the next four digits of the code indicate the week of the year in which the tire was made.
So, if Michelin makes a tire in the 14th week of 2023, it would inscribe 1423 on its sidewall. However, tires manufactured before 2000 followed a different coding system with three digits.
How does Michelin make its tires?
Michelin makes tires in a sophisticated and systematic process that includes numerous steps. The steps in the process typically include the following:
Research and Development
A good amount of R&D goes behind the manufacturing of a Michelin tire to make it compatible with different road conditions, weather, and other factors across the globe. Michelin’s advanced R&D facilities across the globe help them in this process.
Design
The design of a tire plays a key role in its performance and longevity. A lot goes behind the design before Michelin makes its tires.
Blending/ Compounding
Tires are not just rubber. A lot of components go into the manufacturing process of a tire. Silica, Carbon black, Metallic reinforcing cables, and various chemical formulas are blended with natural and synthetic rubber to make good-quality Michelin tires.
Construction
Michelin makes its tires using a highly advanced and precise manufacturing process, adhering to strict quality control guidelines.
QA checks
Michelin tires undergo rigorous quality checks to meet high performance, fuel efficiency, and longevity standards.
Bottomline
High-quality Michelin tires are famous for their outstanding performance, safety, and longevity under various driving circumstances. Michelin invests significantly in research and development to produce cutting-edge tire designs and technologies that increase fuel efficiency, lower road noise, and improve the overall driving experience.
Although Michelin tires are expensive in comparison with other brands, the advantages in terms of performance, safety, and quality justify the high price tag. However, the choice to purchase Michelin tires relies on each driver’s and car’s personal needs and priorities. So, if you’re looking for high-quality, durable tires that offer top-notch performance, Michelins are the best bet!
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