After successfully entering the aftermarket, followed by OEM segments with truck and bus radials, Michelin India is now following the same playbook for passenger vehicles. This milestone marks the company’s official entry into passenger car tyre production in India–reaffirming its long-term commitment to serve Indian consumers with locally made, globally trusted products.
Supported by a ₹686-crore investment, in addition to over ₹2,800 crore already committed to the facility, the move reflects Michelin’s strong bet on India’s fast-evolving automotive market, where SUVs now dominate more than half of all passenger vehicle sales.
With India’s expanding road network and growing demand for safety and performance, the tyre maker, in addition to truck and bus radials, is focusing on premium tyres for larger vehicles and SUVs. Its locally made products will bring world-class quality and innovation closer to Indian consumers. To ensure accessibility, the company is expanding its retail footprint with 75 Michelin Tyres & Service (MTS) stores and new flagship “Experience Stores” in Nashik, Mumbai, and Gurugram, with more to follow.
Technology
Michelin’s Chennai factory stands as a model of modern manufacturing – where people, technology, and purpose work in perfect sync. Guided by its global 3P philosophy of People, Planet, and Profit, the plant blends continuous improvement, digital transformation, and employee empowerment to create a world-class ecosystem.
From introducing robotic systems in 2014 to contain chemical waste, to deploying ergonomic lifting tools in 2018 and installing high-performance machines in 2022, innovation here is an everyday practice. The factory has evolved steadily towards Industry 4.0, where every machine is Wi-Fi connected to a central data system for predictive maintenance and energy optimisation. Even forklifts are digitally guided, ensuring zero error and full traceability. This connected ecosystem has reduced inventory time from days to hours, improved uptime, and nearly eliminated wastage.
What sets the plant apart is its people-first culture. Operators make decisions and run production lines independently, while leaders act as mentors. This trust-driven model, adopted across Michelin’s global network, nurtures ownership and accountability at every level. For the company, excellence is not just about automation – it’s about people and technology working together to drive performance and sustainability.
Leveraging 3Ps
According to Mr. Vitor Silva, President, Africa, India, Middle East, Michelin, sustainability is not a slogan – it’s a way of life. Over its 130-year journey, the company has continuously redefined mobility – from developing the first dismountable tyre to pioneering the radial design that improved safety and comfort. In the 1990s, it introduced energy-efficient tyres that reduced CO₂ emissions long before “green mobility” became a buzzword. Today, the organisation’s innovations deliver peak performance throughout a tyre’s life and feature some of the lowest abrasion levels in the industry, helping reduce microplastic pollution. Beyond tyres, it is leveraging its materials expertise in polymer composites, connected mobility, and sustainable lifestyle products, reinforcing its mission to create technology that serves people and respects the planet, Mr. Silva said.
India Innings
Michelin’s India story is one of steady growth and deep localisation. It began in 2009 with its truck and bus tyre plant in Chennai, followed by an R&D Centre in Gurgaon in 2014, and the Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Pune in 2018 – now home to the tyre company’s worldwide Artificial Intelligence headquarters.
The Pune facility leads global projects in AI, data transformation, R&D, and business support with over 350 engineers and scientists. Working with IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, and ARAI, the team develops materials and testing technologies for Michelin’s global network. In 2022, the India operations began producing specialised tyres for the Indian Defence forces, and in 2024, it laid the foundation for the new passenger car tyre line to cater to India’s premium and SUV segments.
Technology Meets Sustainability
Mr. Florent Chaussade, Executive Director, Michelin India, said, the company’s Chennai plant ranks among the most advanced and sustainable manufacturing facilities in India. Producing 38 tyre variants for trucks, buses, and defence vehicles, it was the first in the country to introduce energy-rated tyres – among the most fuel-efficient on the market. In 2022, it became the first facility in India to produce truck tyres certified with a four-star fuel efficiency label, setting a new industry benchmark. By 2023, every tyre made at the plant came equipped with RFID technology for real-time traceability. The facility operates with a zero-carbon footprint, zero liquid discharge, 100% waste recycling, and nearly half its energy sourced from renewables.
Mr. Shantanu Deshpande, MD, Michelin India, said, the company’s tyres are already “EV-ready,” designed to handle higher torque and heavier weights of electric vehicles without compromising efficiency or durability. Globally, India is emerging as a major innovation hub for Michelin – with its Pune R&D and AI centres contributing to global projects and over 70 Indian professionals now leading roles across the company’s worldwide network.