The X-factor - or - the most famous tire in the world?
01/03/2015
If you read older car magazines, you will notice time and again that the Michelin X held a special position as a tire at the time. It was believed to offer better road holding and significantly better traction than the other tires of the time.
The Michelin X was originally launched in 1949 and was the first tire with a radial carcass, a design principle that Michelin had patented in 1946. With this design, the French tire manufacturer defined a new industry standard. The tire was actually developed for the new French front-wheel drive cars, i.e. the 2 CV and the Traction Avant. Later, however, many other vehicles also benefited from the relatively expensive tire and it was therefore not reserved for French vehicles.
In advertising, the Michelin marketing people also liked to emphasize the positive effect on fuel consumption.
