TROY, Mich. — Owners of 2018 and 2019 model-year vehicles in the U.S. rate Michelin as the No. 1 brand in terms of wear, ride, appearance and traction/handling, according to the business research firm J.D. Power's 2021 U.S. Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study.
The Michelin brand was rated highest in the four vehicle segments J.D. Power tracks — luxury, passenger car, performance sport and truck/utility vehicle.
According to Michelin North America Inc., the Michelin brand has won 97 J.D. Power awards over the past couple of decades, including 18 consecutive No. 1 rankings in the luxury category and six consecutive in the truck/utility vehicle category.
Pirelli was the No. 1 brand in the passenger tire category a year ago, while the performance sport is a new category this year.
The 2021 study is based on responses from 26,131 owners of 2018 and 2019 model-year vehicles and was conducted during October through December 2020.
Michelin holds an estimated 22% OE market share with North American-based vehicle companies, according to Tire Business research.
The rankings, by category, are:
- Luxury — Michelin rated highest with a satisfaction score of 782 (on a 1,000-point scale), followed by Pirelli with a score of 760. The segment average is 750. Others rated include Goodyear (748), Bridgestone (742) and Continental (721)
- Passenger — With a score of 752, Michelin ranked ahead of Goodyear (739), Kumho (736), Continental (726) and Firestone (725). The segment average is 721.
- Performance Sport — Michelin (789) finished ahead of Goodyear (761). The segment average is 731. Others rated include Pirelli (709) and Bridgestone (698).
- Truck/Utility — Michelin (771) outscored Bridgestone (737) and Hankook (712). The segment average is 711.
