Michelin tops four categories in latest car owner study…

A study of car owners in the U.S. by the respected J.D. Power organisation has found strong satisfaction with Michelin tyres.

The J.D. Power Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study was based on responses from more than 29,622 original owners of 2015 and 2016 model-year vehicles.

The annual study looks at whether the car owners purchased the same brand of tyre as a replacement for the original tyres fitted to the vehicle when it was new.

Of the 62% of owners who did replace at least two tyres in their first two years of ownership, 21% chose to replace Michelin tyres with rubber from the same company.

This percentage was above Goodyear (12%), Continental (11%), Bridgestone (11%) and Pirelli (7%).

Tyre satisfaction was examined by J.D. Power across four measures: tyre wear, tyre ride, tyre appearance and tyre traction/handling.

Michelin recorded the highest satisfaction scores among owners in the Luxury, Passenger Car, Truck/Utility and Performance Sport segments.

J.D. Power’s Brent Gruber says having their products fitted to new cars is a huge advantage for tyre companies.

“A large number of vehicle owners do not even consider other brands when buying replacement tyres.

“As long as they have a positive experience with their OE tires, there is a natural tendency for consumers to select the same brand for their first replacement.”