Did you know that one of Michelin's most advanced tires is manufactured in Spain?

The Michelin factory in Valladolid was the setting for 20Minutos ' latest visit to one of its numerous facilities in Spain. Valladolid is a strategic center that highlights the importance of our country in the French manufacturer's global network. It houses no fewer than four production plants, playing a key role in tire manufacturing and development worldwide.

Michelin Valladolid

Opened in 1973, the Valladolid plant is the group's newest in Spain and stands out for both its technological capacity and its commitment to sustainability. There, more than 1,600 employees contribute to the production of 100,000 tons of finished products and 200,000 tons of semi-finished components annually. During our visit, we witnessed a highly automated production process that combines human intelligence with artificial intelligence tools to ensure the exceptional level of quality in every tire that Michelin always strives to deliver.

This setting provided the perfect backdrop for a firsthand look at a new and important tire joining the Michelin family to replace the previous model: the Primacy 5. Designed for sedans and SUVs, and compatible with any type of propulsion, from combustion engines to electric motors, this tire is one of the brand's most important in terms of volume, and is a popular choice.

What changes compared to the Primacy 4?

The Primacy 5 improves its lifespan by 18% compared to its predecessor, which translates to approximately 7,000 additional kilometers of use. It also reduces rolling resistance and fuel consumption by 5%, benefiting both the user and the environment. But it's not all about savings; it also improves safety, another of its strong points. On wet surfaces, it offers 4% more grip than the Primacy 4+, both new and worn.

Furthermore, on a technical level, it incorporates a redesigned tread, with 13% more grooves to evacuate water more efficiently, uses latest-generation compounds that have earned it an A rating on the European label for its behavior in wet conditions, and the work carried out on the design of the pattern, the blocks and the sipes has significantly improved comfort and noise reduction, both outside and inside the cabin.

We enter the factory

During our visit, we also learned how Michelin is increasingly incorporating more sustainable materials into its products: natural rubber, recycled carbon black, silica obtained from rice husks, vegetable oils, and even recovered steel. The ambition is clear: to ensure that all its tires are made entirely from recycled or renewable materials by 2050. And all this without compromising its products' performance. In fact, they set a goal that they should be at least equal, if not better.

The Primacy 5 will reach the European market throughout 2025 in 88 different sizes, and will reach 127 available versions in 2026. It will also be sold in other regions of the world, especially in Asia, thus consolidating Michelin's global vision that extends from our beloved Castilla y León .