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Michelin Continues to Dominate J.D. Power and Associates Tire Study

18 December 2000

Michelin Continues to Dominate J.D. Power and Associates Tire Study

    GREENVILLE, S.C., Dec. 15 Michelin(R) has done it again.
The brand has just received its 25th and 26th J.D. Power and Associates Awards
-- an astonishing 75 percent of the 34 ever given in the tire category.  The
most recent awards are for Best Replacement Tire for Passenger Vehicles and
Best Replacement Tire for Light Trucks in customer satisfaction, completing a
sweep of both tire segments in this year's study.  In October, Michelin was
ranked Best Original Equipment Tire for both Passenger Vehicles and Light
Trucks.
    "We believe receiving this award year after year really validates our
dedication to making the best tires in the world," explains Alison Heiser,
Michelin brand manager.  "But it also gives us valuable information directly
from consumers that we can use to create future products that meet specific
needs."
    Michelin's performance in the annual J.D. Power and Associates tire study
is unparalleled. Michelin is the only brand to receive a J.D. Power and
Associates Award every year since the tire study began.  The two most recent
awards gave the company its fifth sweep in 12 years.
    The independently funded J.D. Power and Associates 2000 Replacement Tire
Customer Satisfaction Study is based upon the responses of more than 7,400 new
vehicle owners and lessees.  In the tire category, the studies provide
specific feedback on tire quality, wearability and handling.
    A recent example of the company's commitment to listening to consumers is
the Michelin Cross Terrain(TM) SUV, a tire designed specifically for SUVs and
the way they are really driven.  Sport utility vehicles are the fastest
growing segment of the automotive market, but their owners have traditionally
only been able to equip them with light truck or passenger tires.
    In creating the tire, Michelin conducted extensive research to find out
exactly what SUV owners want in a tire, confirming that today's SUV is more
likely to spend the majority of its life on, rather than off, the road.  The
result is a tire that provides improved stopping on wet pavement, better
handling in both dry and wet conditions and a smoother, more car-like ride.
The new Michelin SUV tire is available as a replacement tire and has also been
chosen as original equipment on vehicles such as the 2002 Ford Explorer, the
Acura MDX and the Yukon Denali.
    "Cross Terrain is a classic example of how we identified a common need and
were able to provide an excellent solution," Heiser says.  "We believe it's
that commitment that consumers recognize year after year."

    Michelin brand's J.D. Power and Associates award history:

    * Best Replacement Tire for Passenger Vehicles in Customer Satisfaction
      1992 - 1994, 1997, 1999 and 2000
    * Best Replacement Tire for Light Trucks in Customer Satisfaction 1995 -
      2000
    * Best Original Equipment Tire for Passenger Vehicles in Customer
      Satisfaction 1994 - 1996 (tie), 1998 - 2000
    * Best Original Equipment Tire for Light Truck Vehicles in Customer
      Satisfaction 1996 - 1998 and 2000
    * Best Overall Original Equipment Tire in Customer Satisfaction 1989 -1991
    and 1993*
    (* After 1993, this category was split into Best OE Tire for Passenger
       Vehicle/Light Truck Satisfaction.)