Kleber Tyre Company

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Kleber
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryTyre manufacturing
Founded1910
FounderBF Goodrich (French subsidiary)
Headquarters Paris, France
Parent Michelin Group
Website kleber-tyres.com

Kleber is a French tyre company owned by the Michelin Group. It produces tyres for passenger vehicles, SUVs, and agricultural machinery.

Contents

History

Kleber was founded in 1910 as Société Française B.F. Goodrich, a French subsidiary of the American tyre manufacturer BF Goodrich. [1]

In 1945, the company moved its headquarters to Avenue Kléber in Paris and adopted the name Kléber-Colombes. In 1951, Kleber introduced the first tyre with an integral inner tube. [1]

Kleber-Colombes advertisement Kleber-Colombes advertisement.jpg
Kléber-Colombes advertisement

The company was acquired by Michelin in 1981. [2]

In 1981, Kleber tyres were notably used by rally driver Michèle Mouton, who finished runner-up in the 1981 World Rally Championship. [3]

In 2024 Kleber promoted a new role in sustainability and rural development with a partnership with French agricultural cooperatives to promote eco-friendly farming practices. [4] That same year Kleber become involved in Michelin’s circular economy initiatives, including tyre recycling and the use of bio-based materials. [5] In 2025 the company launched promotional campaigns across the UK and Ireland for its agricultural range, emphasizing durability and fuel efficiency. [6]

Market Position

Kleber occupies a mid-range position in the European tyre market. It is particularly popular in France, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Kleber tires are used as original equipment by manufacturers such as Peugeot, Renault and Volkswagen. [7]

Products

Kleber manufactures a range of tyres for various vehicle types and conditions: [8]

Agricultural Segment

Kleber is a major player in the agricultural tyre sector. Its products are designed for tractors, telehandlers, and crop sprayers. [9]

References

  1. 1 2 "Kleber Tyres History | Kleber". www.kleber-tyres.com. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  2. Lottman, Herbert (2003). The Michelin Men: Driving an Empire. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN   1-86064-896-7.
  3. "Michèle Mouton and the Audi Quattro Gr.4 in the spotlight - R4P" (in French). 3 April 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  4. "Agriculture durable: Kleber et les coopératives françaises". Le Monde (in French). 15 March 2024.
  5. "Michelin's Circular Economy Push Includes Kleber Tire Recycling". The Guardian. 10 April 2024.
  6. "Kleber News – Agricultural Promotions". Kleber. 2025.
  7. TireRig (14 May 2025). "Michelin's Sub-Brands: An Analysis of Market Positioning" . Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  8. "Drive Safely in Summer & Winter | Kleber Tyres". www.kleber-tyres.com. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  9. "Agriculture Tyres Technical Databook" (PDF). Kleber. 2020.