Barbier-Daubrée was reincorporated and renamed as Michelin on 28 May 1889. The company initially manufactured rubber parts for farm machinery, such as valves and gaskets. In 1891, Michelin patented a removable pneumatic tyre, which was used by Charles Terront to win the Paris–Brest–Paris cycle race. By 1895, Michelin had adapted this technology for automobiles, using pneumatic tyres on a car called L'Eclair in the Paris-Bordeaux-Paris race.
Michelin first competed in Formula One in 1977, supporting Renault’s turbocharged program. The company introduced radial tyre technology to the sport and achieved success with Brabham and McLaren before withdrawing at the end of 1984. Michelin returned to Formula One in 2001, supplying teams including Williams, Jaguar, Benetton (later Renault), Prost, and Minardi, with Toyota and McLaren joining in 2002.
By 2005, Michelin tyres were competitive, aided by regulations requiring tyres to last an entire race distance. The 2005 United States Grand Prix saw Michelin advise its partner teams not to race due to safety concerns, leading to a refund of ticket prices and complimentary tickets for the 2006 event. Following disagreements with the sport’s governing body, Michelin withdrew from Formula One at the end of 2006. The last race won on Michelin tyres in Formula One was the 2006 Japanese Grand Prix.
Michelin was the long-standing supplier for MotoGP from 1972 to 2008. In 2007, Casey Stoner on Bridgestone tyres won the world championship, and some riders expressed concerns about Michelin’s tyres. Michelin returned to MotoGP in 2016 as the official tyre supplier after Bridgestone’s withdrawal from the series at the end of 2015.
Michelin’s involvement in the 24 Hours of Le Mans began with supplying tyres for the winner of the inaugural 1923 race, as well as nine other entrants. In 2009, Michelin supplied tyres for 41 of the 55 cars that entered Le Mans. In 2016, Michelin provided tyres to LMP1 teams for Audi, Porsche, and Toyota, as well as GTE-Pro teams. Michelin has also been the exclusive supplier of the LMP3 class in the European Le Mans Series since 2015.
In the World Rally Championship, Michelin has supplied factory teams for manufacturers including Audi, Citroën, Ford, Lancia, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Toyota, and Volkswagen. BFGoodrich, a Michelin Group brand, represented the company in 2006 and 2007. Michelin was the official supplier from 2011 to 2020.
In 1934, Michelin introduced a tyre which, if punctured, would run on a special foam lining, a design now known as a run-flat tyre. Michelin developed and patented the radial tyre in 1946, which was initially marketed as the "X" tyre. Michelin also introduced the XAS, the world's first asymmetric tyre, in 1964.
Michelin operates tyre retail and distribution in Europe under Euromaster and Blackcircles brands, and in the US with its subsidiary TCI Tire Centers. The company also publishes Red Guides for Hotels and Restaurants, and Green Guides for tourism. Michelin also controls 90% of Taurus Tyre in Hungary, as well as Kormoran, a Polish brand. In December 2018, Michelin acquired Camso, a manufacturer of off-the-road tyres, tracks, and accessories. In January 2019, Michelin acquired Indonesian manufacturer Multistrada Arah Sarana, which produces Achilles Radial and Corsa tyres. In April 2026, Michelin announced the completion of its acquisition of the American company Flexitallic. In the 1920s and 1930s, Michelin operated large rubber plantations in Vietnam, where conditions led to the Phú Riềng Đỏ labour movement.
In 1994, Michelin unveiled the green tyre, a tyre featuring Green X technology, advertised as saving fuel and reducing emissions. In 2010, Michelin introduced its sonic identity, created by the agency Sixième Son.
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