# European tires

> Seven European tire brands: Michelin, Continental, Nokian, Vredestein, Kleber, Barum and Semperit. Premium and value tiers covered.

European tire brands worth knowing | Euronomy

![tires.webp](https://euronomy.eu/media/phynu2wr/tires.webp)

European tire makers built the modern automobile industry: Michelin invented the removable pneumatic tire in 1891, Continental began making tires in 1871. A century later, the global tire industry's premium tier is still anchored by three European companies: Michelin (France), Continental (Germany), and Pirelli (Italy, now Chinese-owned). Together with the Japanese Bridgestone, they share most of the world's premium and OEM-fitment business.

Around the premium core sits the European value tier: Continental's Central European brands (Barum from Czechia, Semperit from Austria), and Michelin's value-tier Kleber. Plus Nokian (Finland), which owns the global winter-tire category, and Vredestein (Netherlands), now under Indian ownership but with manufacturing still in Enschede.

Below: European tire brands worth knowing.