For the third consecutive year, Michelin ranks highest in original equipment (OE) tire satisfaction among first-year owners of passenger vehicles, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2000 Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study(SM) released Oct. 16. Michelin also ranks highest in the light-truck segment for the second time in three years. "Every day at Michelin, we work hard to provide consumers with the very best tires possible," commented Alison Heiser, Michelin brand manager. "We obsessively engineer every Michelin tire and we believe our J.D. Power record demonstrates that commitment." Since J.D. Power and Associates added tires to its annual customer satisfaction studies in 1989, Michelin has received 24 of 32 possible awards, a feat unequalled in the award's history for tires. According to J.D. Power and Associates, Michelin has received more awards than all other tire manufacturers combined. Following Michelin in the passenger-vehicle segment, which includes both cars and minivans, are Continental Tire and BFGoodrich Tires, respectively. Dunlop and BFGoodrich Tires, respectively, follow Michelin in the light-truck segment. Although most tires may look similar, consumers can readily discern differences in performance and quality, according to the study. "Consumers are able to recognize subtle differences among tire brands," said Jeff Zupancic, senior manager of the tire practice at J.D. Power and Associates. "They can provide very specific feedback related to their experience with tire quality, long-term performance, and traction control, as well as ride and handling issues, which can help manufacturers during product design and development." The tire customer satisfaction study identifies product quality as the largest factor contributing to OE tire satisfaction. Other factors contributing to overall satisfaction include long-term performance, such as wearability and situational performance, which includes, among other factors, ride, vibration issues and traction control in tight or emergency situations. "Design is also a key driver in satisfaction," Zupancic said. "People want their tires to look good and fit the design of their vehicle, whether it be low-profile tires for their sports car or rugged tires for their SUV or pickup." Zupancic pointed out that with a myriad of tire specifications, including construction, tread width, aspect ratio, diameter, load index, speed rating, and a multitude of sidewall treatments, there are more than 25,000 unique tires on the market today. "Taking into account that each tire manufacturer may build more than 100 different tires for each tire size, there are easily more than seven million unique tires on the market for passenger and light-truck vehicles," he said. The 2000 OE Tire Customer Satisfaction Study is based on responses from more than 31,000 new-vehicle ownewrs and lessees. It identifies owner sensitivity, the varying degrees of mileage expectations and captures most frequently cited tire problems.