The French tyre giant, Michelin, has achieved a major milestone by rolling out its very first premium passenger car tyre manufactured right here in India, at its Chennai factory. This move confirms the company’s strong belief in the Indian market. These new "Made-in-India" tyres will be available for customers across the country starting in the first half of 2026.
The expansion of the Chennai facility was a major financial commitment. Michelin has now invested a total of ₹686 crore (up from the earlier planned amount) specifically for this new passenger car line, which is in addition to the over ₹2,800 crore the company had already invested in the plant. The new line will focus exclusively on high-end tyres, producing large sizes for premium cars and SUVs, ranging from 16 to 22 inches.
World-Class Tyres, Local Production
The Chennai factory will now produce some of Michelin’s most popular global tyre lines, including the Pilot Sport 5, Pilot Sport 4 SUV, LTX Trail ST, and Primacy 5 (which was the very first model to roll off the new production line).
Michelin is making this big move because the Indian passenger vehicle market is booming. With its value expected to nearly double by 2030, and with SUVs making up more than half of all new car sales, the demand for high-performance, large-sized tyres is skyrocketing. Better roads and rising consumer wealth are pushing this shift towards premium products.
Automation and Sustainability Benchmark
The Chennai plant is not just a factory; it is a global example for Michelin in terms of efficiency and environmental care.
- Sustainability: The facility operates with a Zero Liquid Discharge policy, recycles 100% of its waste, and runs on 45% renewable energy. It also uses extensive rainwater harvesting.
- Automation: The new passenger tyre line is one of the most highly automated facilities in the country. Thanks to advanced robotics, it requires only about 200 employees to run, compared to the industry standard of 500 for a plant of similar capacity.
- Speed and Training: The entire project went from announcement to production in a record-breaking 12 months, backed by 50,000 hours of specialized training for employees at Michelin sites worldwide.
To ensure success, Michelin is also rapidly expanding its service network across India. They are increasing their 75 standalone tyre and service outlets and have recently opened their first "Experience Store" in Nashik to connect better with customers.