Francois Michelin, the grandson of Michelin & Cie’s founder and head of the French tire maker for almost half a century, has passed away at the age of 88. Under Michelin’s leadership, the 126-year-old manufacturer expanded its global operations, especially in the U.S., opening 25 factories outside France from 1960 through 1979.
The success of its radial tire, called the Michelin X, was crucial in boosting revenue outside Europe and helped the company become the region’s biggest tire maker. He ran the tire maker from 1955 to 2002.
Michelin also took the strategic decision, in 1976, to withdraw from the car business by selling French automaker Citroen to Peugeot SA. The merger led to the creation of PSA/Peugeot-Citroen. He decided to buy Uniroyal Goodrich Tire Co. in 1990 to strengthen his company’s position in America. Michelin & Cie. is also the publisher of restaurant and hotel guides.
