Bridgestone vs Michelin: Which Tire Brand Reigns Supreme for Ultimate Performance and Value?
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A lot of individuals came up to me and asked me the age-old question: whether brand, Bridgestone or Michelin, is superior. In addition, the response is not as simple as you may initially believe it to be. In addition, you are already in a very favorable position if you think about purchasing tires from these brands. Both of these businesses are, and have always been throughout their respective histories, operating at their absolute pinnacle right now.
And whatsoever brand you pick with, you can rest assured that you won’t be making a mistake. When used in the environments for which they were designed, tires manufactured by Michelin and Bridgestone consistently rank among the safest available. In addition, the majority of the items manufactured by both businesses are low-noise and comfy, and they make some of the longest-lasting tires available.
In addition, Bridgestone and Michelin are the two companies that make the most tires worldwide by a significant margin. The Japanese company had a more prosperous 2019, finishing with revenues of $24.05 billion, while Michelin reported a total of $22.13 billion for the year. For the sake of comparison, the American Goodyear company is the third-largest tire maker in the world and reported sales of $14.8 billion. In the meantime, sales were reported at 10.78 billion dollars by the German Continental AG.
Additionally, both corporations own other well-known tire brands in their own right. The acquisition of Firestone by Bridgestone was the most significant business deal in the latter’s long and illustrious history. Additionally, this Japanese conglomerate owns Bandag and Daytona, in addition to CFNA and Tires Plus.
In the meantime, Michelin owns many tire companies, such as Kléber, a well-known tire brand in Europe, and Uniroyal-Goodrich Tire Company, the manufacturer of BF Goodrich Tires and other well-known tires. Kléber is one of Michelin’s tire brands. Riken, a budget-friendly tire company based in Europe, is also owned by Michelin.
Consequently, Bridgestone and Michelin are two very good brands of tires; nonetheless, this fact does not prevent us from going into further detail. There are a few subtle distinctions between the brands when it comes to the way in which they create and construct their tires. I’ll go over each type of tire, including touring, performance, highway, and all-terrain tires, so that everything is crystal apparent by the time we’re done here.
However, before we get into that, why don’t we take some time to become familiar with the background of each of the companies before we move on to the comparative part?
Bridgestone Corporation History

Bridgestone is a Japanese multinational company that primarily manufactures tires for passenger cars and commercial trucks as well as other automotive equipment. The city of Kurume in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, serves as the location of the company’s main office. Curiously, the name of the brand comes from the surname of the company’s founder, Shojiro Ishibashi, which literally means “bridge stone.” 1931 was the year that saw the birth of the company.
When Ishibashi first launched the business, its primary focus was on the footwear industry. In spite of this, the company eventually expanded its operations into the tire industry by making use of the expertise gained while manufacturing rubber-soled tabi. In the beginning, business was not particularly successful; nevertheless, due to the company’s consistent expansion, Bridgestone Corporation was established in the year 1984. Since that time, the Japanese business has grown to become one of the most successful tire manufacturers in the world.
In 1988, the tire manufacturer made one of its most important moves when it bought the American multinational corporation Firestone. Bridgestone not only purchased the company’s manufacturing site in Nashville, Tennessee, but also the brand itself.
Michelin History

The history of Michelin is far more extensive than that of Bridgestone. In the year 1889, Édouard Michelin and André Michelin established their namesake company. Rubber was the only product that the company made at that point. On the other hand, Michelin understood very immediately the demand for bicycle tires.
Curiously, tires from the 19th century were glued directly to the wheel, making it hard to replace the tire. This practice no longer exists. After that, the brothers invented the world’s first removable pneumatic tire, which is essentially the same as every tire that is currently used on public roadways. Indeed, Michelin was the company that pioneered modern tires.
The French business is also responsible for a number of other noteworthy innovations. In 1934, the Michelin brothers made a breakthrough when they invented the run-flat tire, a design that is still in widespread use today. In addition to this, they were responsible for the invention of the radial tire, which markedly contributed to an increase in overall road safety.
Radial construction can be found in all passenger automobile tires produced today. The older bias-ply tires have a number of important drawbacks, including the fact that they wear out more quickly, have lower high-speed stability, are heavier, have a negative impact on performance, and have a greater impact on fuel consumption. There is no question that you owe Michelin your gratitude for all of these improvements over the past century.
The purchase of B.F. Goodrich Company and Uniroyal, Inc. by Michelin in 1989 was one of the company’s most significant mergers and acquisitions.
The Michelin Guide, which awards stars to distinguished dining establishments, is another facet of the Michelin brand. A restaurant that has been awarded one Michelin star is considered to be among the best in its category. When referring to restaurants, “two stars” denotes “excellent cooking, worth a detour,” while “three stars” signifies “exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey.”
In the early 1900s, the Michelin brothers devised the book to assist travelers in locating eateries while they were on the road. Keep in mind that back then, there was no such thing as a GPS or other forms of navigation, thus the Michelin Guide was the only book that might have been of any use to people as they were driving.
What are the Qualities that Both Companies Share?
Because Bridgestone and Michelin are the most aggressive competitors in the tire market, you may anticipate that they are comparable to one another in certain respects given this fact. And in point of fact, they are.
Tires sold by these companies nearly invariably come in at a higher price than those sold by their competitors. When compared to the other brand, Michelin tires may be slightly more expensive, but this difference is not significant.
In addition, the production of risk-free tires is the primary emphasis of both companies. Tires manufactured by Bridgestone and Michelin are known for their consistently high levels of wet and dry traction reliability. In addition, these models consistently place among the best in their respective categories when competition is over.
Both Michelin and Bridgestone place a significant amount of importance on a tire’s longevity. The treadlife of tires produced by these manufacturers is often very long, and they also come with lengthy warranties on the treadwear. In addition, businesses make use of cutting-edge technology that reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. These not only help the owner save money, but they also help the environment by producing less pollutants.
The production of comfy tires is another primary focus for the companies. Both Michelin and Bridgestone are able to satisfy the desires of the vast majority of drivers on the road for a tire that is both quiet and provides an excellent ride quality.
In the end, both Bridgestone and Michelin devote a significant amount of resources and man-hours to research and development. The vast majority of these firms’ innovations are the result of their experience in racing.
At the moment, Michelin is the primary tire supplier for Formula 1, which is the most competitive racing series in the world. Bridgestone, for instance, supplies tires to the Super GT Japanese championship, but the company has also previously collaborated with the Formula One racing series.
The technologies and materials that are developed for racing typically make their way into the production of passenger car tires. Because of this, Bridgestone and Michelin tires frequently make use of luxurious and unusual components in their construction. Additionally, more recent technological advancements correlate to improved operational efficacy.
Are there Advantages to One Brand Over the Other?
To tell you the truth, it’s difficult to say. Bridgestone is a modest frontrunner in some tire categories, while Michelin is the clear victor in others. However, the best approach is to discuss the situation as it stands right now.
For instance, Bridgestone has recently introduced a new tire called the Turanza QuietTrack, which is a more recent product than Michelin’s Premier A/S. Because it makes use of more up-to-date technology, the normal performance of the Turanza is marginally superior to that of its competitors. However, the distinction is not one of very great significance. The Premier A/S excels in several aspects, such as its superiority in driving in the rain.
What I mean to say is that whatsoever brand you choose, you really can’t go wrong with it. Because this is not the case, one cannot assert that Bridgestone produces tires of poor quality. The same holds true for Michelin; they make excellent tires.
Bridgestone Tire Categories
The Japanese tire manufacturer offers a variety of tire styles, each of which is designed to cater to a specific kind of motorist. The complete list of product categories offered by Bridgestone may be seen here.
1. Passenger-Car Tires
Bridgestone’s lineup of tires for passenger cars is among the most varied and extensive in the industry. The performance, comfort, and life expectancy of any tire on this list is guaranteed to be excellent.
Ecopia: These are passenger and touring tires, and they were developed specifically for drivers of sedans, minivans, and compact cars. These tires offer higher endurance at the expense of some grip in order to reduce their overall fuel consumption. These Bridgestone tires are more affordable than other models, in addition to being incredibly quiet and pleasant.
For example: Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus
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Turanza: tires made for drivers of compact automobiles, minivans, sedans, crossovers, and coupes that are available in both touring and grand-touring configurations. These tires have a higher level of grip and stability at high speeds compared to Ecopia tires. In addition to this, they should offer a higher level of comfort while maintaining the same level of durability.
For example: Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack
Potenza: This particular Bridgestone model is part of the performance family. These tires are made to have outstanding stability, high levels of grip, and superior handling thanks to their design. You should get these tires if you drive a high-performance car or if you want to enhance the overall quality of your time behind the wheel.
For example: Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS
Dueler: The Turanza is comparable to the tires in this family, with the key distinction being that these tires are designed with owners of crossovers, SUVs, and pickup trucks in mind.
For example: Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus
Blizzak: The Bridgestone winter tire lineup includes several distinct models. The majority of winter driving competitions are won by these tires due to their superior performance in harsh conditions.
For example: Bridgestone Blizzak WS90
2. Motorcycle Tires
Motorcycle tires by Bridgestone are available in a variety of performance, street, off-road, gravel road, endurance, and urban-driving configurations.
3. Commercial Tires
The Japanese tire manufacturer also makes significant investments in the production of commercial tires. Products designed for automobiles such as vans, semi-trucks, and buses are included here.
Michelin Tire Categories
It would appear that Michelin has a portfolio of tires that is even more diversified. In point of fact, some of its items compete with one another in the marketplace.
1. Passenger-Car Tires
The French manufacturer offers a broad selection of tires for passenger cars across their product line. Every one of these tires guarantees a long-lasting performance, reliable traction in the conditions for which it was designed, and excellent levels of comfort.
Defender: A collection of touring and highway tires manufactured by Michelin. These types are well-known for their exceptionally long treadlife and durability, great grip in both dry and wet conditions, and high levels of comfort overall. Tires for compact cars, sedans, minivans, crossover vehicles, SUVs, and even trucks are included in the Defender family of products.
For example: Michelin Defender LTX M/S
Primacy: Tires designed for touring and grand touring that are suitable for usage on the highway. You can anticipate better levels of cornering grip from these tires, both on dry and wet surfaces. These tires are designed to be used on both the road and the track. In addition to being exceptionally quiet and comfy, Primacy’s are also built to last for a very long time. These tires are designed for use by motorists whose vehicles are classified as sedans, coupes, minivans, or crossovers.
For example: Michelin Primacy MXM4
Premier: Comparable to Primacy in every conceivable way. In point of fact, certain Premier tires are the follow-up for earlier Primacy model iterations. Tires from the Michelin Premier line are designed for use on sedans, coupes, minivans, crossovers, SUVs, and trucks. These tires provide an outstanding combination of stability, grip, and braking, as well as a smooth ride.
For example: Michelin Premier LTX
Pilot Sport: Michelin’s high-performance brand includes tires designed for high-performance sedans and coupes, high-performance SUVs and trucks, high-performance sports cars, and ultra-high-performance supercars. These tires routinely come out on top in head-to-head competitions, both on the track and on the street.
For example: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
CrossClimate: A series of all-season tires that place a slightly greater emphasis on their ability to operate in the snow. All-weather tires is another name for these particular models.
For example: Michelin CrossClimate SUV
Latitude and Alpin: Michelin’s lineup includes snow tires and snow-ready vehicles. Every one of these tires has been put through rigorous testing in the most severe winter circumstances possible, and they all provide a reliable drive on snow and ice.
For example: Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2
2. Motorcycle Tires
When compared to Bridgestone, the motorcycle tire selection offered by Michelin is significantly more extensive. In point of fact, it is the brand of tire that is the most often used by motorcyclists. This French manufacturer sells tires for cruisers, enduros, motocrossers, roadsters, sport bikes, sport touring bikes, trials, rallies, and trials as well as scooters. They also produce a line of tires specifically designed for use on electric bicycles.
3. Commercial Tires
Michelin is a major player in the commercial industry. The company’s family of van, semi-truck, and bus tires is well-known for having exceptional longevity, performance, and comfort.
Verdict
What exactly did we pick up from reading this article? First and foremost, the fact that both Bridgestone and Michelin manufacture high-quality tires. The Japanese are superior in some aspects, while the French are at the top of the heap in others. And in today’s day and age, things move at a breakneck speed. Both of these corporations put a significant amount of money into research and development, which helps propel the tire industry in the right direction.
If you own a passenger vehicle, in my opinion, you should make sure that you study reviews before selecting one of these companies from the options available to you. We have comprehensive assessments covering the vast majority of tire models currently sold in the United States, particularly those manufactured by Michelin and Bridgestone.
When it comes to motorcycles, Michelin might be a better choice than other manufacturers merely due to the fact that the French offer a more broad product lineup. I believe that Bridgestone and Michelin are very comparable when it comes to commercial trucks; there is not a significant difference between the two.