As a tire company, Michelin dates back to the 1880`s, when the original Michelin brothers, André and Edouard, took over a rubber products business created by their grandfather.

At the time pneumatic tires (air filled tires) were becoming the norm for the new automobile industry, as well for bicycles, carriages and cabs. Competition was intense with 150 tire companies in France alone by 1903.

The brothers knew a strong brand image was crucial, and they had come up with a brilliant one. The Michelin man, a rotund figure composed of tires, was born around 1898. Back then his nickname was “Monsieur Bibendum” which originated from a phrase meaning something like “time for a drink”. Instead of alcohol, the glass he held was full of nails, glass and sharp pebbles. Michelin tires it was implied, would gobble up these objects and keep on rolling.

With fewer than 3000 vehicles on French roads in 1900, innovative thinking was going to have to save the day. One stroke of brilliance begets another when the boys had a plan to help encourage travelling by car, and thus expand the need for tires. The history of the famous Red Guide starts here in 1900. The Michelin brothers wanted to offer motorists a guide with information about the far less common than today gas stations and garages across France.

The guide would entice France`s car owners to not only take more trips but longer trips and literally burn more rubber. At the time it had nothing to do with chefs. Just destinations. That didn`t last long, it was after all France and food was as fundamental as air to the French so they included information on restaurants and accommodations. At the time gas could onlly be bought at a few select pharmacies so a guide that would help drivers map out their itinerary suddenly meant you could take the family and strike out for new horizons. The brothers decided to upscale their guide in 1920 and started selling it instead of giving it away. They also put an end to advertising in the guide with the idea that a customer would value it more if it were impartial and they had to pay for it.

The Michelin brothers got so serious about their guide that they sent out their own inspectors to check out restaurants and menus all over the country and eventually the world. The inspectors are notoriously anonymous with many of the company`s top executives never having even met an inspector and forbidding them to talk to the press. To make a distinction between the levels of quality of the restaurants mentioned in the guide they put in place the famous star system.

The bad news is Canadian restaurants have yet to earn any Michelin stars. The good news is you could still jump in your car and go on a road trip down to the closest one in New York. Preferably a road trip driven on Michelin Tires!

Speaking of tires, it`s time to think about winter tires for your next road trip. Halton Honda has a wide selection of summer and winter tires to choose from. You can search for tire options on our convenient TIRE SHOP website or speak with one of our experts who will take the time to listen to your needs and help find the perfect new winter or summer tires for your lifestyle. Once you have found the perfect set, we can install them for you and store your spare tires on site.

It`s just another way Halton Honda simplifies your life.