By T. Murrali
Michelin, the world’s leading tyre maker, has taken a big step forward in India with the rollout of its first locally produced premium passenger car tyre from its Chennai plant. This marks the company’s entry into passenger car tyre manufacturing in India and strengthens its long-term commitment to the country’s fast-growing mobility market.
India, Middle East, Michelin; Mr. Shantanu Deshpande, MD, Michelin India;
The new “Made in India” range, covering tyre sizes from 16 to 22 inches, will hit the market in the first half of 2026. It will include Michelin’s globally renowned lines such as the Primacy 5, LTX Trail ST, Pilot Sport 4 SUV, and Pilot Sport 5 — with the Primacy 5 being the first model off the Chennai production line. Backed by an investment of ₹686 crore, this new line builds on Michelin’s ₹2,800+ crore already invested in the facility. The move combines the company’s global expertise with India’s evolving automotive landscape, now driven by SUVs that account for over half of all passenger vehicle sales.
With India’s expanding road network and growing demand for safety and performance, the tyre maker 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.
People and Technology Drive Progress
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 cut 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.
The tyre maker believes that industrial excellence isn’t just about automation or output—it’s about harmony between human potential and smart technology. The result is a workplace that delivers performance, protects the planet, and proves that when people are empowered, innovation never stops.
Progressing 3P
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 Journey
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.
As India’s mobility landscape transforms with wider highways and booming SUV sales, the demand for high-quality, quiet, and fuel-efficient tyres is soaring. Michelin’s local manufacturing, backed by global expertise, positions it perfectly to meet this demand with products that offer comfort, safety, and performance, said Mr. Shantanu Deshpande, MD, Michelin India.
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.
The Chennai facility represents Michelin’s core belief that “we manufacture the future.” With around 1,200 personnel, including 800 full-time employees, and high levels of automation and digitalisation, it stands among the company’s most advanced and sustainable plants worldwide, he pointed out.
The new 22,000 sq. m passenger car production line reflects the company’s Industry 5.0 vision — combining automation and human expertise. Built in just 12 months with 50,000 hours of global training for Indian employees, it relies on advanced robotics and digital systems for precision and scalability, while maintaining lean operations with around 200 employees.
Through its Chennai operations, the tyre maker is positioning India as a key hub for sustainable, advanced manufacturing — not just producing world-class tyres but also transforming how Indians buy them through its growing network of MTS stores.
Driving Towards the Future
Michelin’s entry into India’s passenger vehicle market is guided by a clear strategy: focus on the premium segment and treat India as a long-term growth engine. The Chennai plant also ranks among the company’s best globally for “right-first-time” quality and solvent-free production.
Mr. Deshpande 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.
A Road That Leads Ahead
For Michelin, India is more than just a market — it’s a canvas of possibilities. Every investment, innovation, and initiative reflects a belief in India’s potential to shape the future of mobility. By blending world-class technology with local talent, the company is not only manufacturing tyres but also building a legacy of trust, sustainability, and progress. As the world moves toward cleaner, smarter, and more connected mobility, the tyre maker’s journey in India stands as a powerful reminder that true innovation begins when purpose meets passion — and every road leads to a better tomorrow.
