Francois Michelin, who led France’s famed tyre company for nearly half a century, died at the age of 88, the group said on Wednesday.
“We have learned today with deep emotion that Mr Francois Michelin has passed away,” a Michelin statement said, without giving further details.
“Mr Francois Michelin dedicated his life to the company. He headed it for 47 years, when he handed over the reins to his son Edouard. A visionary and a humanitarian, (he) tirelessly embodied the values of respect that are the very foundation of our group’s identity,” the statement said.
Michelin was less than 30 years old when he became a co-director in 1955, and helped transform it into one of the world’s top three tyre manufacturers alongside Bridgestone and Goodyear.