Michelin – a Giant Among Tyre Manufacturers
If you’re asked to name one of the world’s most famous and most successful tyre manufacturers, there’s a good chance the name Michelin would come into your mind. If you need a tyre for your car, motorbike, or even your bicycle, you can make it a Michelin.
You’re probably familiar with the Michelin Man, arguably one of the longest-serving mascots in the world, in action since 1898, just nine years after the company was founded. This speaks to the history of Michelin and its experience in the world of tyres.
The history of Michelin
Michelin was founded by two brothers, Andre and Edouard Michelin, on 28th May 1889. While it may surprise you to learn that it produces bicycle tyres, this was in fact how the business started. This dates to the patent it gained in 1891 for a removable pneumatic tyre, the first of its kind, stemming from their earlier efforts around bicycle tyres.
Innovation has always been at the forefront of Michelin’s development. For instance, they developed a tyre that had a foam lining, so that if it was punctured, it could remain inflated until the tyre could be changed. This happened way back in 1934.
Over the years, Michelin has also participated in various motorsports. These included MotoGP from the early Seventies through to 2008. They’ve also been heavily involved in Formula One, with their first season occurring back in 1977.
Catching up to modern times, it’s not unusual to find award-winning tyres in the Michelin range. Michelin Pilot Sport 5 came first out of 55 entrants in the Auto Bild test in 2025, for example.
Michelin tyres today
Today, you can search for the best Michelin tyres no matter what vehicle you use. They’ve developed tyres specifically for classic cars, racing cars, and everything from standard SUVs to cars and vans.You can even trust Michelin tyres on the newest electric vehicles, as they can handle the heavier weight demands of EVs.
They also sell a wide range of motorbike tyres, catering to various riding experiences. You can have tyres suited to the daily commute or choose those intended for off-roading. They can even create custom tyres where required.
You can also explore different tyres for different seasons, with summer and winter options available. Michelin also create all season tyres, otherwise known as all-weather tyres – ideal for unpredictable UK weather conditions. These carry the 3PMSF marking, confirming they’re safe for use in winterthanks to the 3 Peaks Mountain Snowflake marking.
Choosing the best Michelin tyres for you
With so many tyres to choose from, including the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV and the Michelin Crossclimate 3, an all-season tyre, it may seem challenging to know which tyre will best suit your needs. In truth, Michelin has something ideal for your type of vehicle, the conditions you drive in, and the type of weather you’re likely to encounter. Find durable and reliable Michelin tyres for your make and model of car or motorcycle today and trust in one of the world’s biggest tyre manufacturers.