Led by CEO Flavio Farroni, the company has expanded into what he describes as a ‘MegaRide holding’, comprising multiple specialised businesses, each targeting different segments of the automotive technology sector.

“We embrace an unconventional approach to startup building: we invest in organic and gradual growth, which keeps us independent from private funding and allows us to reinvest our revenues into the team and R&D projects fully,” says Farroni, who co-founded the company after conducting tyre research at the university.

FROM ACADEMIA TO INDUSTRY DISRUPTOR

MegaRide’s journey represents a new technology transfer model from academia to industry. Farroni acknowledges that this transition wasn’t without challenges.

“The main leadership challenges we faced along our journey were, first and foremost, gaining acceptance for our role as researcher-entrepreneurs – researchpreneurs – both within academia and in the market. In the beginning, neither was sufficiently advanced to recognise such a new and competitive figure,” Farroni explains.

This ‘researchpreneur’ model has since become central to MegaRide’s competitive advantage. The company maintains close ties with universities and ensures a continuous pipeline of cutting-edge research that feeds into commercial applications.

“Our deep synergy with universities makes research and innovation our core mission. This allows us to explore methodologies and techniques that may not immediately apply to current products but lay the groundwork for future advancements,” explains Aleksandr Sakhnevych, MegaRide’s Chief Technology Officer.

ITALIAN TECH FIRM REVOLUTIONISES TYRE SCIENCE WITH PHYSICS-BASED SIMULATION

In a nondescript business park on the outskirts of Naples, a team of researchers-turned-entrepreneurs is quietly revolutionising how the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers and motorsport teams understand tyre performance. MegaRide, founded by academic researchers from the University of Naples Federico II, has grown from a university spinoff to one of the most innovative players in automotive simulation technology.

The company specialises in physics-based modelling software that predicts tyre behaviour with unprecedented accuracy – crucial information for both racing teams seeking competitive advantages measured in milliseconds and vehicle manufacturers designing safer, more efficient cars for everyday drivers.

THE TECHNOLOGY: DIGITAL TWINS FOR TYRES

These physics-based models simulate how tyres behave under different conditions, predicting temperature changes, grip levels and wear patterns in real time with an accuracy that was previously impossible.

One of its most innovative products, weaRIDE, enables real-time tyre tread wear and chemical degradation simulation. This technology is particularly significant for electric vehicles, whose instant torque delivery creates new challenges for tyre durability.

“We were the first to develop a commercial thermal model for tyres, the first to create a multiphysics Pacejka-based model, and today, we are the first to introduce a wear and degradation model, weaRIDE, internationally awarded for its innovation. We try to be always a step ahead, and scientific research is our ‘secret weapon’,” Farroni says.

Sakhnevych explains that ensuring model accuracy across varied real-world conditions requires a multifaceted approach: “MegaRide ensures the accuracy and reliability of the weaRIDE model through a multifaceted approach. First, there is a continuous effort to enhance the physical fidelity of the model, leveraging a strategic synergy with universities and research institutions.”

He adds, “Additionally, a key focus is placed on improving data processing methodologies. Tyre models often face scrutiny due to the limitations in predictive accuracy, which are strongly influenced by the quality of the calibration data.”

FROM SIMULATION TO MEASUREMENT: THE VESEVO SPINOFF

In 2018, MegaRide expanded its footprint by spinning off VESevo, a company focused on developing innovative testing equipment for tyre materials. VESevo’s flagship product enables non-destructive testing of tyre compounds, providing detailed mechanical property data previously unavailable without destroying the tyre.

Andrea Genovese, CEO of VESevo, explains how the technology has evolved from its motorsport origins: “VESevo is evolving its motorsport-derived technology to enhance industrial applications, leveraging its versatility for real-time quality control in tyre manufacturing. Its non-destructive, non-invasive and rapid-testing capabilities allow each tyre to be analysed directly on the production line.”

This represents a significant shift in quality control for tyre manufacturers. “This innovation enables mechanical property testing to be performed not just on a sample basis but on the entire production, guaranteeing comprehensive quality assessment,” Genovese adds.

However, VESevo has faced regulatory headwinds in motorsport, particularly after the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) introduced rules limiting the use of its technology in Formula 2 and Formula 3.

“Honestly, we were surprised by this regulatory change, as motorsport has always been a driving force in introducing innovations, especially when they enhance performance, spectacle and safety, benefiting all stakeholders involved,” Genovese admits.

Rather than seeing this as a setback, VESevo has focused more on industrial applications. “By broadening our reach into new applications, we are not just navigating these changes, but we are turning them into opportunities to drive innovation forward,” Genovese says.

STRATEGIC ACQUISITIONS AND GROWTH

MegaRide has augmented its technological capabilities through strategic acquisitions, including the 2022 purchase of Wriggle Solutions’ intellectual property. This acquisition bolstered MegaRide’s capabilities in real-time tyre wear monitoring.

“The acquisition of Wriggle Solutions’ intellectual property in 2022 has expanded MegaRide’s strategic line, accelerating the transition from purely simulation-based technologies to real-time, onboard vehicle sensing,” Sakhnevych explains.

This move has enabled MegaRide to develop virtual sensors that can estimate previously unmeasurable parameters like vehicle sideslip angle, tyre temperature and tread wear. These capabilities have applications for vehicle performance, safety systems and autonomous driving technologies.

MegaRide has also established key partnerships with major industry players. Its collaboration with Prometeon, an industrial tyre manufacturer, illustrates how the company’s technology is being applied beyond high-performance vehicles to commercial transport.

THE CHALLENGE OF SCALING HIGH-PERFORMANCE TECHNOLOGY

Transferring technologies developed for the extreme demands of motorsport to mass-market applications presents significant challenges. Sakhnevych outlines several hurdles: “One of the main challenges is cost, as motorsport applications rely on high-end sensors and powerful computing. To make these solutions viable for mass production, MegaRide focuses on leveraging existing vehicle sensors and optimising software to run efficiently on standard ECUs.”

He continues, “Scalability is another hurdle, as consumer vehicles operate in diverse and unpredictable conditions. Ensuring robust performance across various road surfaces and driving styles requires extensive validation and adaptive modelling.”

THE AI QUESTION

As artificial intelligence (AI) transforms industries worldwide, MegaRide maintains a measured approach to incorporating machine learning (ML) into its products. The company’s roots in physics-based modelling inform its perspective on AI’s role in tyre simulation.

“MegaRide leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning while staying true to its roots in physics-based modelling,” Sakhnevych says. “Our background in academic research, particularly in mechanical engineering, has shaped our expertise in model-based approaches."

He distinguishes their approach from purely data-driven methods: “Unlike purely data-driven methods, our approach enables prediction without extensive training datasets – simply by parametrising models using well-established physical principles.”

DATA SECURITY CONCERNS

As vehicles become increasingly connected, handling sensitive data securely becomes increasingly important. MegaRide has developed comprehensive approaches to data security, particularly relevant to its onboard sensing technologies.

“MegaRide addresses data privacy and security concerns in tyre technology through a robust combination of encryption, secure data management protocols and role-based access controls,” Sakhnevych explains.

COMPETITION FROM INDUSTRY GIANTS

As a small company operating in an industry dominated by global corporations, MegaRide faces significant competitive pressures. However, Sakhnevych sees advantages in the company’s nimble structure.

THE FUTURE: EXPANSION AND DIVERSIFICATION

Looking ahead, MegaRide plans to continue expanding through organic growth and the development of new ventures within its holding structure.

“The ‘MegaRide holding’ concept will allow us to diversify our strategies, expanding into various sectors we consider strategic,” Farroni explains.

“MegaRide’s models are increasingly used by OEMs, tyre manufacturers and racing teams, and the technological landscape is moving towards a greater adoption of physics-based models like ours, driven by the growing use of real-time simulations.”

Each company within the holding structure has its strategic direction. “VESevo, originally founded to produce a portable device for motorsport, is now evolving – thanks to key strategic partnerships – into a provider of non-destructive testing solutions and quality control systems for tyres, directly integrated into production lines,” says Farroni. The newest addition, RIDEsense, targets emerging opportunities in vehicle automation. “The increasing onboard computational power of vehicles has led to the creation of a new company, RIDEsense, focused on developing ‘Virtual Sensors’ – real-time algorithms capable of estimating otherwise unmeasurable quantities and providing critical insights for ADAS and autonomous driving systems, which will be pivotal in tackling the mobility challenges of the coming years,” explains Farroni. VESevo’s Genovese describes a similar approach to balancing immediate market needs with long-term innovation: “At VESevo, balancing short-term business goals with long-term research and development is part of our DNA. As an academic spinoff from the University of Naples Federico II and an innovative company, we follow the same path that MegaRide successfully pioneered, transforming cutting-edge research into commercially viable solutions while maintaining a strong focus on technological advancement.”

He elaborates on their dual-track strategy: “In the short term, we focus on delivering market-ready solutions that meet the immediate needs of our customers, particularly in motorsport and industrial applications. By working closely with teams and manufacturers, we ensure our technology provides tangible value and rapid returns, allowing us to sustain growth and reinvest in innovation.”

Meanwhile, the academic connection remains vital: “Our strong ties to the academic world allow us to act as a ‘bridge’ between research and industry. This close connection enables a constant exchange of knowledge, technology, expertise and skills, accelerating innovation while ensuring our developments translate into real-world impact,” says Genovese.

A MODEL FOR RESEARCH COMMERCIALISATION

MegaRide’s success offers a blueprint for commercialising academic research in highly technical fields. The company has carved out a unique position in the automotive technology ecosystem by maintaining close ties to academia while developing practical market applications.

The company’s ‘researchpreneur’ model provides a case study in technology transfer that may be increasingly relevant as universities worldwide seek to translate research into commercial impact. MegaRide demonstrates that deep technical expertise can be successfully paired with entrepreneurial vision when the right structures and leadership are in place.

As vehicle electrification, automation and connectivity create new challenges for tyre performance and safety, MegaRide’s physics-based approach to simulation and testing positions the company to play an increasingly important role in the future of mobility.

What began as academic research in a Naples university laboratory has evolved into a group of companies pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in understanding the complex interactions between tyres and roads – knowledge that underpins both the thrilling spectacle of motorsport and the mundane safety of everyday driving.

European replacement tyre demand rose in the second quarter of 2026, driven by strong growth in truck and bus segments, according to industry data published by Tyres Europe.

“European replacement tyre demand strengthened in Q2 2026, particularly truck and bus tyres,” said Adam McCarthy, Secretary General of Tyres Europe.

Consumer tyres, which include passenger cars, SUVs and light commercial vehicles, increased by three percent year on year in the quarter, lifting volumes for the first half by two percent. Growth was led by all-season tyres, which rose 15 percent in the quarter and nine percent in the first half.

By contrast, summer tyres declined by two percent, while winter tyres edged down one percent in the quarter and remained five percent lower over the first half, continuing a shift in demand towards all-season products.

Truck and bus tyres recorded the strongest performance, rising 13 percent in the second quarter and seven percent in the first half. The increase came despite geopolitical pressures and elevated fuel and energy costs, with freight activity and business sentiment remaining resilient.

Agricultural tyres continued to contract, declining seven percent in the quarter, although at a slower rate than earlier in the year. Moto and scooter tyres rose one percent in the quarter and were four percent higher across the first half.

Tyres Europe said miles travelled declined during the period, reflecting higher average fuel prices and weaker consumer sentiment linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Imports, however, rebounded after sharp declines in the first quarter.

Separate data showed changes in trade flows. Imports of passenger car, light commercial and truck tyres into the EU27 and UK fell six percent year on year between January and May 2026. Shipments from China dropped 24 percent, reducing its share to 58 percent from 72 percent a year earlier.

Suppliers in south-east Asia increased their presence, with their share rising to 19.9 percent from 7.4 percent, led by Thailand and Vietnam.

The shift followed an anti-dumping investigation by the European Commission, which concluded that Chinese imports had entered the market at unfair prices. Definitive duties ranging from 4.3 percent to 45.3 percent were imposed from July 8, 2026 for an initial five-year period.

In the truck and bus segment, imports into the EU27 and UK from non-European markets rose by almost 27 percent in the first five months of the year. Thailand and Vietnam together accounted for nearly 61 percent of volumes, reflecting a broader shift in supply away from traditional sources such as China, Korea and Japan.

Tyres Europe represents 14 corporate members whose combined global sales account for around 70 percent of the worldwide tyre market.

Fennell Tyres International, part of the Magna Tyres Group, has acquired Bunbury's Tyre Specialists, extending its operations into the South West of Western Australia. The transaction amount has not been disclosed.

The deal takes effect on 17^th  August, when the Bunbury business begins trading under the Fennell Tyres International name. The site will continue operating during the transition, and existing customer contacts and service contracts will remain in place where applicable. About five employees will join Fennell Tyres International as part of the acquisition.

Fennell Tyres International, based in Kewdale, has expanded across Western Australia since joining the Magna Tyres Group in 2020. It supplies tyres, servicing and technical support to the transport, mining, industrial, construction and earthmoving sectors.

The acquisition follows a long-standing relationship between Aldo Gismondi, Director of Magna Tyres Australia, and Bevan Dillon, Director of Bunbury's Tyre Specialists. The two have worked together for many years, sharing a focus on customer service and support for the transport, construction, industrial and earthmoving sectors.

Gismondi said: "This acquisition represents an exciting opportunity to further strengthen our service network across Western Australia. Bunbury's Tyre Specialists has built an outstanding reputation throughout the Southwest, and together we look forward to delivering even greater value and service to our customers."

Dillon said: "The relationship between our organisations has developed over many years, making this a natural progression. We are proud of the reputation Bunbury's Tyre Specialists has established and are excited about the opportunities this acquisition will create for our customers and our team."

Fennell Tyres International said the acquisition would improve its ability to serve customers in both Perth and regional Western Australia, with faster response times and wider product availability. The company described the move as the next stage of its long-term investment strategy, aimed at expanding its regional service capability across Western Australia's metropolitan and regional markets.

The launch of the Made-in-India MICHELIN Primacy 5, the company’s first locally manufactured passenger car tyre, is not simply another product introduction. It is the cornerstone of a broader strategy that spans premium mobility, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, customer experience and global supply chains. As India’s automotive market shifts towards larger, safer and more premium vehicles, Michelin believes the country is ready for technology-led tyres manufactured closer to home.

For much of the past decade, Michelin’s India story has largely revolved around truck and bus radial tyres. The French tyre maker built a modern manufacturing facility in Chennai, supplied premium commercial vehicle tyres to both domestic and export markets, expanded its engineering, research & development and digital capabilities in Pune and patiently built its brand in a market where price traditionally outweighed premium performance.

But now, Michelin believes the timing is right to make its biggest play yet in India’s passenger vehicle market.

The company has launched the MICHELIN Primacy 5, the first passenger car tyre manufactured by Michelin in India, ending years of reliance on imports for one of its most important premium product lines. This new launch represents more than localisation. It reflects Michelin’s confidence that India is entering a new phase of automotive consumption – one where buyers increasingly prioritise safety, comfort and long-term ownership value over the lowest purchase price.

Speaking at the launch in Chennai, Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director, Michelin India, described the milestone as the culmination of a strategic shift announced just 18 months earlier.

“Just about a year and a half ago, we stood here and announced that we were going to start manufacturing passenger car tyres. It’s no more a promise. It is actually happening. The tyres are being manufactured as we speak now in our factory,” said Deshpande.

The passenger car production line was commissioned in just 12 months, supported by 50,000 hours of employee training and equipped with Michelin’s latest manufacturing technologies. But the investment is less about expanding capacity than positioning Michelin for what it sees as the next chapter of India’s automotive evolution.

RAPIDLY CHANGING PASSENGER CAR SEGMENT

The central premise behind Michelin’s strategy is straightforward: India is no longer simply a small-car market.

For years, hatchbacks dominated domestic passenger vehicle sales, shaping not only vehicle development but also tyre demand. That landscape has changed dramatically as rising incomes, improved highways and changing consumer aspirations have driven buyers towards larger vehicles.

Deshpande believes this transformation is reshaping consumer expectations. “Generally speaking, India is not a country now which is looking for cheap products. It is not limited only to automobiles. You see premiumisation happening across technology, real estate, lifestyle, and it is equally applicable to mobility,” explained Deshpande.

He argues that better road infrastructure has fundamentally altered how Indians use their cars. Explaining it further, Deshpande said, “Cars are no longer just something parked in the garage during the week and taken out over weekends. Families are travelling longer distances at higher speeds, and consumers are looking for bigger cars, comfortable cars and safer cars.”

The numbers support that view.

SUVs, crossovers and MPVs accounted for just over one-fifth of passenger vehicle sales in 2010. By 2025, they represented more than half of new vehicle sales, while annual volumes in the segment have expanded to roughly 1.5 million units. Michelin believes that trend will continue, creating sustained demand for premium tyres in the 16-inch and above category.

That explains why the Chennai plant will manufacture tyres ranging from 16 to 22 inches – sizes increasingly fitted to SUVs and premium sedans rather than traditional entry-level hatchbacks. “Our chosen segment is 16 inches and above. That is where we see the strongest growth,” Deshpande said.

Unlike domestic tyre manufacturers that compete across virtually every price segment, Michelin is deliberately narrowing its focus.

Rather than chasing volume at the lower end of the market, it wants to dominate the premium replacement segment, where technological differentiation and brand equity command stronger pricing power.

SAFETY AS A VALUE PROPOSITION

Launching another premium tyre in India would have been difficult if Michelin relied solely on brand reputation. Instead, the company is attempting to build its value proposition around measurable safety performance.

The Primacy 5 has been tested in India by independent testing agency Applus+ IDIADA against competing premium products from its immediate peers on Indian roads.

According to Michelin, the tyre stops up to eight metres shorter than competing tyres in wet braking tests when new and up to nine metres shorter when worn. It also delivers a four-metre advantage in dry braking while offering an eight percent improvement in longevity over its predecessor, the Primacy 4ST.

For Deshpande, these figures translate into a much broader consumer message. “Eight metres is probably as long as a city bus. That difference, when you’re driving in wet conditions, is the difference between being safe and being involved in an accident,” explained Deshpande.

More importantly, Michelin emphasises that the braking advantage remains even after the tyre has worn. “The confidence is not only when you buy a new tyre. The confidence lasts for the entire life of the tyre. That is what the consumer wants,” added Deshpande.

This lifecycle approach has become a defining characteristic of Michelin’s premium positioning globally, but it is particularly relevant in India, where tyres are often used until the legal wear limit or beyond.

The Primacy 5 delivers a claimed 6.5 percent improvement in rolling resistance compared with the Primacy 4ST, helping reduce fuel consumption in internal combustion vehicles while extending driving range in electric vehicles. Michelin also claims a nine percent improvement in ride comfort through a redesigned tread pattern aimed at reducing road noise.

BENCHMARKING AGAINST THE BEST

Michelin is positioning the Primacy 5 at the top end of India’s replacement tyre market, and its performance claims have been measured against what it considers the strongest competitors in the segment.

Rather than comparing the tyre with mid-market products, the company benchmarked the Primacy 5 against flagship offerings from its immediate peers.

“We picked the top-of-the-line products,” Deshpande said.

The comparison included Bridgestone’s Turanza range, Continental’s UltraContact UC6 and Yokohama’s BluEarth series – products that define the premium replacement segment. By evaluating the Primacy 5 against competitors’ best offerings, Michelin believes it provides consumers with a more meaningful assessment of performance, particularly in safety, comfort and longevity.

For Michelin, the objective is not simply to participate in the premium category but to establish itself as the benchmark against which other premium tyres are measured.

AN EV STRATEGY WITHOUT BUILDING AN EV TYRE

Another notable aspect of Michelin’s positioning is its approach to electric vehicles.

Unlike several competitors that market dedicated EV tyre ranges, Michelin is promoting the Primacy 5 as a platform equally suited to internal combustion engine, hybrid and battery-electric vehicles.

The tyre has been engineered to manage the additional weight and higher torque associated with electric vehicles while reducing rolling resistance to improve driving range.

Deshpande summarised the positioning succinctly: “Our products are good for ICE and great for EV.”

Rather than creating separate product families, Michelin appears to believe that mainstream premium tyres will increasingly serve multiple powertrain technologies as the market evolves.

That approach may prove particularly relevant in India, where consumers continue to choose between petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric vehicles across the same model lines.

LOCAL MANUFACTURING GOES BEYOND IMPORT SUBSTITUTION

For Michelin, manufacturing passenger car tyres in India is not simply about reducing imports. It reflects the company’s broader ‘local to local’ strategy – producing closer to customers while maintaining global technology and quality standards.

The Chennai facility now houses one of Michelin’s most advanced passenger car production lines, featuring extensive automation and robotics. Questions inevitably arose about whether tyres manufactured in India would differ from those produced in Europe.

Deshpande dismissed the suggestion. “The fact that we have been exporting our truck tyres made in Chennai to North American markets, European markets and African markets is testimony that a Michelin tyre of the same quality standards which is made outside India can be made in India,” said Deshpande.

The only changes, the Michelin India executive said, involve reinforcing the tyre for Indian road conditions while maintaining the same global performance standards.

WHY MICHELIN SKIPPED PRIMACY 4

The launch also prompted questions about Michelin’s product strategy.

Why introduce the Primacy 5 as the first locally manufactured passenger car tyre instead of producing the outgoing Primacy 4? Deshpande said the answer was straightforward.

“The Primacy 4 is a tyre line which is getting succeeded by Primacy 5. We are selling Primacy 4 right now because we wanted to manufacture Primacy 5 in India. Now that we are launching Primacy 5, over time, through a phase-in and phase-out process, we’ll discontinue Primacy 4 and have only Primacy 5,” stated Deshpande.

PREPARING FOR THE AI CONSUMER

Michelin also sees artificial intelligence reshaping how tyres are marketed. According to Deshpande, the battle for consumer attention is moving beyond Google.

“The research online is now changing. It is not just websites or Google. People are searching through AI,” he said. That requires manufacturers to rethink how information is published.

“It is very important that you are engaging on the right forums where this information is crawled by AI agents. Platforms talking objectively about tyres and vehicles need to have the right content available so that whenever a consumer researches, that information is captured and presented,” added Deshpande.

BUILDING A GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN FROM INDIA

Michelin’s ambitions in India extend well beyond manufacturing finished tyres.

Alongside expanding local production, the company is actively identifying Indian suppliers that can become part of Michelin’s global procurement network. Deshpande explained that Michelin categorises its raw materials into three broad groups. Certain strategic components and proprietary compounds continue to be produced internally to safeguard intellectual property, while natural rubber remains an area where India still depends heavily on imports because domestic production cannot fully meet industry demand.

The larger opportunity, however, lies in industrial raw materials such as chemicals, carbon black and other tyre manufacturing inputs.

“Our focus is to procure more of these raw materials locally in India but also identify suppliers who can become part of Michelin’s global supply chain,” Deshpande said.

Michelin has opened four new tyre retail and service outlets in Chennai, strengthening its presence in one of its key Indian markets.

The new Michelin Tyre and Services (MTS) stores are located in Gopalapuram, Adyar, Tambaram-Selaiyur and Maduravoyal, extending the company’s reach across central, southern and western parts of the city.

The expansion coincides with the company’s recent launch of its made-in-India Primacy 5 tyres and is aimed at improving access to premium tyre products and automotive services.

Each outlet has been developed in line with Michelin’s global retail standards, with service bays, equipment and customer facilities designed to support vehicle maintenance and tyre care.

The Gopalapuram outlet has been opened in partnership with Lal Enterprises, a tyre business established in 1987. The Adyar store operates with RR Tyres, which serves customers across south Chennai, including Besant Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur and the ECR and OMR corridors.

In Tambaram-Selaiyur, the company has partnered with Rao Tyres, which has operated in the city since 1992 and maintains a long-standing association with Michelin. The fourth outlet in Maduravoyal has been launched with Lal Tyre Centre, located near the Chennai Bypass to serve industrial and commercial areas in the west of the city.

Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director of Michelin India, said: “India's premium mobility landscape is evolving rapidly, and Chennai stands at the forefront of this shift, with growing demand for high-performance, safe, and sustainable mobility solutions across sedans, SUVs, and electric vehicles. The launch of four Michelin Tyre Service stores in a single city reflects the strength of this opportunity and our commitment to bringing world-class mobility solutions closer to our customers. In line with our recently launched Made-in-India Primacy 5, developed and manufactured in India for Indian road conditions, these outlets will make globally benchmarked tyres and services more accessible to motorists across the city. India continues to be a key growth market for the Michelin Group, and as we expand our retail presence and strengthen our service ecosystem, we remain committed to delivering superior mobility experiences tailored to the evolving expectations of Indian consumers.”

Chennai serves both as a consumer market and a manufacturing base for Michelin in India. The company said rising premium vehicle ownership and increasing demand for organised automotive service centres were driving growth in the city.

The new outlets expand Michelin’s retail footprint in Tamil Nadu and add capacity across both suburban and central corridors, supporting its service network in the region.