Michelin tops truck tire satisfaction survey

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (March 21, 2002) — In the first ever J.D. Power & Associates Heavy-Duty Truck Original Equipment Tire Report,Michelin received the highest marks from heavy-duty truck owners for overall satisfaction and value, while Bridgestone tire owners report a low incidence of problems.

Michelin received strong ratings from Class 8 customers in each of the three tire areas that comprise overall satisfaction: tire safety, wearability, tread life, and tire value. Bridgestone fared well, but below Michelin, on the same four attributes. However, Bridgestone customers report the fewest number of things gone wrong, measured as problems per 100 tires, according to the report.

The report finds the most frequently cited problems with heavy-duty truck tires are excessive or uneven tread wear and blowouts. The report also measures four other problem categories: sidewall separation; tread separation; tire out of round or unbalanced; and tire seal leaks.

In a separate report, the J.D. Power 2001 Heavy-Duty Truck Seat Customer Satisfaction Report, National received strong satisfaction ratings for three of the five satisfaction measures: overall driver’s seat comfort, ease of reaching/operating driver’s seat controls and driver’s seat lower back support (lumbar).