Michelin Sweeps 2011 J.D. Power and Associates Awards for Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction

GREENVILLE, S.C., April 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Michelin tires have once again ranked highest in satisfaction in the J.D. Power and Associates Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study™. The 2011 honors, released today, brings Michelin's lifetime total of J.D. Power and Associates awards to 66, more awards than any other tire manufacturer since the study launched in 1989.

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Michelin received the industry's top honors in the Luxury, Passenger Car, Performance Sport and Truck/Utility segments, posting improvements over 2010 and scoring significantly above the industry average in each segment.

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http://businesscenter.jdpower.com/news/pressrelease.aspx?ID=2011034

"Michelin's success in the J.D. Power and Associates study is the result of relentless commitment to innovation and technical performance, working in a true collaborative partnership with automotive manufacturers to provide the right tire for each vehicle," said Rob Murray, vice president of operations for passenger and light truck original equipment tires, Michelin North America. "We are always pleased to see owner response confirming our success in delivering outstanding products with the highest levels of satisfaction."

Michelin is the highest-volume brand in the Luxury segment and the only brand in this category to perform significantly above average.  The Pilot® HX MXM4® is Michelin's highest-volume tire in the segment, fitted on Acura, Cadillac, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo vehicles.  In the high-volume Passenger Car segment, where Michelin fitments include Honda Accord, the brand scores 68 points above segment average.  

Michelin regained top honors in the Performance Sport segment with a 99-point improvement. Michelin fitments in the category include BMW 6-Series, Chevrolet Corvette, Cadillac CTS-V and Porsche 911. While the average score in the Truck/Utility decreased, Michelin's performance improved.

J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company operating in key business sectors across a variety of industries, including market research, automotive forecasting, performance improvement, Web intelligence, and customer satisfaction.

Dedicated to the improvement of sustainable mobility, Michelin designs, manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America (www.michelin-us.com) employs more than 21,400 and operates 18 major manufacturing plants in 16 locations.

Michelin's J.D. Power and Associates Awards – United States

2011

• Highest Ranked Original Equipment Luxury Tire
• Highest Ranked Original Equipment Performance Sport
• Highest Ranked Original Equipment Passenger Car
• Highest Ranked Original Equipment Truck/Utility Tire

2010

• Highest Ranked Original Equipment Luxury Tire
• Highest Ranked Original Equipment Truck/Utility Tire
• Highest Ranked Original Equipment Passenger Car

2009

• Highest Ranked Original Equipment Luxury Tire
• Highest Ranked Original Equipment Truck/Utility Tire
• Highest Ranked Original Equipment Passenger Car

2008

• Highest Ranked Original Equipment Luxury/Sport Tire
• Highest Ranked Original Equipment Sport Utility Tire
• Highest Ranked Original Equipment Pick-up/Full-size Van Tire
• Highest Ranked Original Equipment Mass Market/Non-Luxury Tire

2007

• Highest Ranked Original Equipment Luxury/Sport Tire
• Highest Ranked Original Equipment Sport Utility Tire
• Highest Ranked Original Equipment Pick-up/Full-size Van Tire
• Highest Ranked Original Equipment Mass Market/Non-Luxury Tire

2006

• Highest Ranked Original Equipment Luxury/Sport Tire
• Highest Ranked Original Equipment Pick-up/Full-size Van Tire
• Highest Ranked Original Equipment Sport Utility Tire

2005

• Highest Ranked Original Equipment Luxury/Sport Tire
• Highest Ranked Original Equipment Sport Utility Tire
• Highest Ranked Original Equipment Pick-up/Full-size Van Tire
• Highest Ranked Original Equipment Mass Market/Non-Luxury Tire

2004

• Highest Ranked Original Equipment Luxury/Sport Tire
• Highest Ranked Original Equipment Sport Utility Tire
• Highest Ranked Original Equipment Mass Market/Non-Luxury Tire

2003

• Highest Ranked Replacement Tire for Passenger Vehicles
• Highest Ranked Replacement Tire for Light Truck Vehicles
• Highest Ranked Original Equipment Tire for Light Truck Vehicles

2002

• Best Original Equipment Tire for Passenger Vehicles (category was later split)
• Best Original Equipment Tire for Light Truck Vehicles
• Best Replacement Tire for Passenger Vehicles
• Best Replacement Tire for Light Truck Vehicles (tie)

2001

• Best Original Equipment Tire for Passenger Vehicles
• Best Original Equipment Tire for Light Truck Vehicles
• Best Replacement Tire for Passenger Vehicles
• Best Replacement Tire for Light Truck Vehicles

2000

• Best Original Equipment Tire for Passenger Vehicles
• Best Original Equipment Tire for Light Truck Vehicles
• Best Replacement Tire for Passenger Vehicles
• Best Replacement Tire for Light Truck Vehicles

1999

• Best Original Equipment Tire for Passenger Vehicles
• Best Original Equipment Tire for Light Truck Vehicles – BFGoodrich® tires brand
• Best Replacement Tire for Passenger Vehicles
• Best Replacement Tire for Light Truck Vehicles

1998

• Best Original Equipment Tire for Passenger Vehicles
• Best Original Equipment Tire for Light Truck Vehicles
• Best Replacement Tire for Light Truck Vehicles

1997

• Best Original Equipment Tire for Light Truck Vehicles
• Best Replacement Tire for Passenger Vehicles
• Best Replacement Tire for Light Truck Vehicles

1996

• Best Original Equipment Tire for Passenger Vehicles (tie)
• Best Original Equipment Tire for Light Truck Vehicles
• Best Replacement Tire for Light Truck Vehicles

1995

• Best Original Equipment Tire for Passenger Vehicles
• Best Replacement Tire for Light Truck Vehicles

1994

• Best Original Equipment Tire for Passenger Vehicles
• Best Overall Replacement Tire (after 1994, this category was split)

1993

• Best Overall Original Equipment Tire (after 1993, this category was split)
• Best Overall Replacement Tire

1992

• Best Overall Replacement Tire

1991

• Best Overall Original Equipment Tire

1990

• Best Overall Original Equipment Tire

1989

• Best Overall Original Equipment Tire (first year awards are given)

Michelin's J.D. Power and Associates Awards – Canada:

• 2001 Best Replacement Tire for Passenger Vehicles (tie)
• 2001 Best Replacement Tire for Light Truck Vehicles

Michelin's J.D. Power and Associates Awards – United Kingdom:

• 2003 Best Overall Original Equipment Tire
• 2002 Best Overall Original Equipment Tire
• 2001 Best Overall Original Equipment Tire
• 2000 Best Overall Original Equipment Tire
• 1999 Best Overall Original Equipment Tire
• 1998 Best Overall Original Equipment Tire (first year award given in the UK)
• 1998 Best Overall Replacement Tire

Michelin's J.D. Power and Associates Awards – Germany:

• 2003 Best Overall Original Equipment Tire
• 2002 Best Overall Original Equipment Tire
• 2001 Best Overall Original Equipment Tire

Michelin's J.D. Power and Associates Awards – Japan:

• 2006 Best Winter Tire
• 2005 Best Winter Tire
• 2005 Best Original Equipment Tire for Passenger Vehicles
• 2004 Best Winter Tire
• 2004 Best Overall Original Equipment Tire (after 2004, category was split)
• 2003 Best Overall Original Equipment Tire
• 2002 Best Overall Original Equipment Tire (first year the award was given in Japan)

Michelin's J.D. Power and Associates Awards – China:

• 2002 Best Overall Original Equipment Tire
• 2001 Best Overall Original Equipment Tire  

Michelin's J.D. Power and Associates Awards – Taiwan:

• 2004 Best Overall Original Equipment Tire
• 2003 Best Overall Original Equipment Tire

Michelin's J.D. Power and Associates Awards – Thailand:

• 2002 Best Overall Original Equipment Tire
• 2001 Best Overall Original Equipment Tire

SOURCE Michelin