Michelin changes name

The Michelin name will leave the World Rally Championship at the end of this year to be replaced by the French tyre concern's sister brand, BF Goodrich. The Michelin Group has made the decision to consolidate the identity of its WRC arm with its tyre operations in endurance rally events, such as the Dakar, under the BF Goodrich brand.

In a statement issued today, Michelin said that it anticipated being involved in the WRC with its new identity for "many years to come". "This decision strengthens BFGoodrich Tyres' current racing implication in the Rally Raid World Cup, in the Dakar Rally, as well as in numerous Northern-American competitions such as the Score Baja 1000," the statement said.

"The Michelin Group and Ford have the intention to continue their partnership in WRC for the years to come. BFGoodrich Tires will bring into this partnership its widespread racing experience and Michelin Group's most up-to-date technology. Car racing and motor sports in general form a key element of Michelin Group's strategy."


:huh:

Cool. Maybe it will now be easier to get rally tires in the States. Not holding my breath though.

Is it hard to get rally tires in the states?

I've never had a problem. www.subesports.com

looking forward to a BF Goodrich rally tire...
their off-road racing tires are great!

Well I didn't see that one coming. :huh:

I suppose it makes sense to the French marketing team but it certainly doesn't to me. The Michelin brand has pushed itself into the upper echelons of consumers' minds here in the US through a good reputation built on a great marketing campaign. Not that Michelin makes bad tires, I just don't think they're that much of a cut above everyone else as their price would suggest for passenger tires.

As for rally tires...I have no idea. But I'm still scratching my head about the name change. :huh: :)

Does this make sense to anyone else?

-Biggly

Sure as hell doesn't make sense to me, unless they're somehow trying to appeal to Americans with this move :confused:

Most Americans will say Michelin > BFGoodrich so I dunno man. :confused:

In honesty, I didn't know they were sister companies.

But Michelin is made by those filthy frogs!

BF Goodrich is as American as apple pie and the SRT-4!

But Michelin is made by those filthy frogs!

BF Goodrich is as American as apple pie and the SRT-4!
:lol: :lol:

Now that I know that the BF stands for "Blasted French!" then I won't be buying any of those tires either. :D

Well, like that article (or press release) says BF Goodrich is a huge name in Dakar, the Baja 500 and 1000, CORR, etc. In that regard I think it makes sense to get their off-road racing all under one umbrella.

They can save $$ from not having to advertise two different brands, that essentally compete against each other.

They can save $$ from not having to advertise two different brands, that essentally compete against each other.
I don't think they're killing Michelin entirely though.

I think they're just not going to put the "Michelin" name on Rally Tires.

So they will still have to advertise 2 brands.

Thier idea makes sense, but there are a lot of details that will be hard to understand/swallow.

Sounds like marketing has struck again. Bet there was a big pis*ing contest in the boardroom over this.
On another note related to rally tires from Michelin, how are you supposed to read the sizing information?
20/65-17 I figure is 17 inch rim? Is 65 the sidewall height? Is 20 short for what we sould call 200? Does this make these tires seem kinda narrow when applied to a tarmac environment?
thanks,
Fogrider

Does this mean we'll see some cheap Michelin close-out rally tires?


I'd love me a set of these.

http://com.en.sport.citroen.com/NR/rdonlyres/7B75BF8C-5C4C-462D-A104-31188CE4B446/0/82cc9f4ce97b4f18ad211f3bbd735a4a.jpg

*cough* John Buffum *cough*


John Buffum won many, many rallies on BF Goodrich tires back in the day




I have been invited to a BF Goodrich media reception tonight about this

*cough* John Buffum *cough*


John Buffum won many, many rallies on BF Goodrich tires back in the day




I have been invited to a BF Goodrich media reception tonight about this
Buddy!
Pal!
Homie!

;);)

Buddy!
Pal!
Homie!

;);)

Call me ;)

Will do after lunch :D

Sounds like marketing has struck again. Bet there was a big pis*ing contest in the boardroom over this.
On another note related to rally tires from Michelin, how are you supposed to read the sizing information?
20/65-17 I figure is 17 inch rim? Is 65 the sidewall height? Is 20 short for what we sould call 200? Does this make these tires seem kinda narrow when applied to a tarmac environment?
thanks,
Fogrider

20 is tire width in centimeters - 20 = 7.87 inches
65 is tire diameter (height) in centimeters - 65 = 25.59 inches
17 is rims size in inches

Thanks!
Fogrider

Cool. This may actually help ralliests here inthe states, as I can get BFG racing/off road tires LOTS easier, locally, and at a discount.

I could only buy Michelin rally tires from out of state...

Cool.

Citroen is leaving and with them the chances of being top tire in the WRC. 2006 will be all Subaru and Pirelli. If you think this year is a bit boring, next year will be a real sleeper. No reason to go smearing your brand name in the mud after finishing on top.

Hand it off to your 'other' brand and let them risk it with Ford and Mitsubishi. Sounds like sound business to me.

BF Goodridge in Europe = crap yanky tyres. ;)

It might make sense to the US market but it doesnt to a European, which is where most WRC interest is. As said i bet they had a big fight about this one. :D

BF Goodridge in Europe = crap yanky tyres. ;)

It might make sense to the US market but it doesnt to a European, which is where most WRC interest is. As said i bet they had a big fight about this one. :D
That's what I was trying to say.

BFG is seen as an American brand.

BF Goodrich rally tires...just like the 80's. :cool:


-Mark
MAPmotors.com

Looks like the French doesn't want any presence in the WRC. No more Michelin, no more peugot, no more citroen. Let's see if renault pulls out of the jwrc.

BF Goodrich rally tires...just like the 80's. :cool:


-Mark
MAPmotors.com

How do you know, you were born in the 90's? :lol:

Just came back from the press conference, they were pretty disappointed that the info leaked out on the internet before they could make their official US announcement. They will not be offering Rally tires in the US at least until 2007 as they are not prepared to construct the tires for the general market yet. They are doing this to give the BF Goodrich Brand a global presence. Michelin still will be in the background

Got cool swag though- an Ipod shuffle with a WRC logo on it!

Too bad you have a day job Wagonmonster :lol:

The official BFG announcement..

BFGoodrich Tires in the World Rally Championship from 2006


(Paris – June 16, 2005) — Starting from 2006, Michelin Group will pursue its technological and sporting involvement in World Rally Championship with its BFGoodrich Tires brand.

This commitment falls within the scope of BFGoodrich Tires’ strong implication in the Rally Raid World Cup, in the Dakar Rally, as well as in numerous Northern-American competitions such as the SCORE Baja 1000.

The Michelin Group and Ford have the intention to continue their partnership in WRC for the next three years from 2006. BFGoodrich Tires will bring into this partnership their widespread racing experience and Michelin Group’s most up-to-date technology.

Car racing and motor sports in general form a key element of Michelin Group’s strategy. Having secured 36 World Rally Championship titles, Michelin brand continues to participate in closed circuit categories: Formula One, MotoGP and Endurance (Le Mans 24 Hours), while BFGoodrich Tires will spearhead the Group’s commitment in Rally Raid (Dakar) and on the World Rally Championship’s high variety of grounds.

stoked...the ipod shuffle is awesome....BFG, we love you!!

Just came back from the press conference, they were pretty disappointed that the info leaked out on the internet before they could make their official US announcement. They will not be offering Rally tires in the US at least until 2007 as they are not prepared to construct the tires for the general market yet. They are doing this to give the BF Goodrich Brand a global presence. Michelin still will be in the background

Got cool swag though- an Ipod shuffle with a WRC logo on it!

Too bad you have a day job Wagonmonster :lol:
You didn't get me one? :(

Nope! :alien:

Just came back from the press conference, they were pretty disappointed that the info leaked out on the internet before they could make their official US announcement. They will not be offering Rally tires in the US at least until 2007 as they are not prepared to construct the tires for the general market yet. They are doing this to give the BF Goodrich Brand a global presence. Michelin still will be in the background

Got cool swag though- an Ipod shuffle with a WRC logo on it!

Too bad you have a day job Wagonmonster :lol:


Leaked ? Michelin sent me a press release under a BF Goodrich banner this morning on it. Guess they can't really get mad at the boss over 'leaking' it.

Leaked ? Michelin sent me a press release under a BF Goodrich banner this morning on it. Guess they can't really get mad at the boss over 'leaking' it.

Yes, I got it too.
Apparently, Michelins press release was supposed to be confined to Europe but they forgot the internet is not confined to Europe :rolleyes:

Yes, I got it too.
Apparently, Michelins press release was supposed to be confined to Europe but they forgot the internet is not confined to Europe :rolleyes:
Yeah, I got the news off of a European Website :lol:

How do you know, you were born in the 90's? :lol:
:lol: lol.

My dad used to rally on BF Goodrich's. :p


-Mark
MAPmotors.com

If I can get a 17/65-16 BF Goodrich All-Terrain or Mud-Terrain it would be teh shizzle !11!1