(R)EVOLUTION - Michelin TRX – A revolution in tyres

Michelin TRX – A revolution in tyres

For more than a century, Michelin has played a leading role in the history of the automobile and mobility. Synonymous with innovation and performance, the Clermont-Ferrand-based brand has always been able to anticipate drivers’ needs and devise solutions that have transformed the way we drive. In 1975, it revolutionised the industry with the creation of the TRX tyre, an innovation that would leave a lasting mark on the world of tyres.

The TRX was the first low-profile radial tyre. At a time when tyres still mostly had high sidewalls, Michelin dared to create a completely new architecture, thinking of the tyre and rim as an inseparable whole. This unprecedented approach allowed for a more harmonious distribution of stress and immediately offered tangible benefits: improved road holding, enhanced stability at high speeds and increased driving comfort. For motorists, this also meant reduced fuel consumption thanks to lower rolling resistance, as well as optimised tyre longevity. The TRX therefore embodied both technological progress and a concrete response to the expectations of safety and energy efficiency that were emerging in the 1970s.

This breakthrough quickly won over the most prestigious car manufacturers. Iconic models such as the Ferrari 512 BBi, the Renault 5 Turbo and the BMW 7 Series were equipped with this cutting-edge tyre. Its adoption by leading brands was testament to the recognition of a technology that was ahead of its time. The TRX also found its place in competition, a field where innovation and the pursuit of performance are constant, thus reinforcing Michelin’s reputation as a key player in motor sports.

Even today, the spirit of the TRX continues to inspire the brand’s innovations. Run-flat tyres capable of continuing to roll after a puncture, low rolling resistance tyres that help reduce CO₂ emissions, and connected tyres that communicate information about their condition in real time are all extensions of this pioneering vision. They remind us that Michelin’s mission does not stop at equipping cars, but is part of a global approach: to offer greater safety, comfort and performance, while preparing for the mobility of tomorrow.

Behind this technological history lies a human and entrepreneurial adventure. Founded in 1889 by brothers Édouard and André Michelin, the company has built a strong identity over the decades, both industrial and symbolic. In 1898, the famous Bibendum, a smiling, protective figure, became the brand’s ambassador. More than a century later, he remains one of the world’s most recognisable advertising characters, the universal embodiment of Michelin’s inventiveness and accessibility.