Michelin unveils its first made-in-India passenger car tyre, at the Chennai plant

Michelin has marked a major milestone in India with the rollout of its first made-in-India passenger car tyre from its Chennai plant. For a brand that has long been associated with performance rubber across the globe, this move signals a deeper commitment to the Indian market and its rapidly shifting automotive landscape.

The first product to roll out will be the Michelin Primacy 5, aimed squarely at premium cars and SUVs. By the first half of 2026, the entire India-made range will hit showrooms, covering sizes from 16 to 22 inches. Enthusiasts can look forward to Michelin icons such as the Pilot Sport 5, Pilot Sport 4 S, and LTX Trail ST joining the line-up soon after the Primacy 5. This development comes on the back of significant investment. After announcing ₹564 crore in September 2024 to set up the passenger car tyre line, Michelin has since added nearly ₹100 crore more, bringing the total new spend to ₹686 crore – in addition to the ₹2,800+ crore already invested in Chennai. Because of local production, the prices of these tyres will also go down significantly and become more affordable for the user. The Primacy 5 has only been unveiled yet, and Michelin is yet to get the homologation done, permissions sorted, etc. All these processes will take some time, and the brand has said that the locally-produced tyres will be available to consumers from the first half of CY 2026.

According to us, it’s a timely bet. India’s car market is growing fast, especially at the premium end. SUVs already make up more than half of sales, and the overall passenger vehicle market is projected to grow from USD 18.13 billion in 2024 to nearly USD 34 billion by 2030. Rising incomes, better highways, and the appetite for larger, more versatile cars have all pushed demand for high-quality tyres. Michelin clearly sees an opportunity to anchor itself deeper into this space. The Chennai factory itself is something of a benchmark. Among the greenest industrial facilities in the country, it runs on renewable energy, recycles all waste, harvests rainwater, and operates at zero liquid discharge. It’s also highly automated – with robotics and advanced machinery meaning just 200 people can run what would typically take 500 in the industry.

For customers, the bigger story is access. Michelin has been expanding its retail presence with 75 standalone tyres and service outlets already operational, plus a flagship experience store in Nashik. As production ramps up, expect to see more touchpoints and easier access to premium rubber. For Indian car owners, this is not just about tyres. It’s about a global leader choosing to build closer to home, and bringing the best quality performance and tyres to you.