Michelin Donates $1M to Red Cross Relief Fund For Victims of USDisasters

    CLERMONT-FERRAND, France, Sept. 13 In response to
Tuesday's tragic events in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania,
the Michelin Group announced today its contribution of $1 million to assist
the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.  The "Michelin Relief Fund" has
been opened to all 128,000 Michelin employees worldwide who wish to make
donations.

    "It is impossible to find words to express the anguish we feel for the
tragedy that has befallen the United States," said CEO Edouard Michelin from
the group's headquarters in Clermont-Ferrand, France.  "On behalf of all
Michelin employees throughout the world, I offer our heartfelt sympathy to
those touched by this disaster.  We hope our contribution will help in some
small way to assist those in need."

    Although Michelin Group had no personnel directly injured in the attacks
on Tuesday, the company wished to respond directly to the events.  Jim Micali,
president and chairman of Greenville, S.C.-based Michelin North America, said,
"Michelin employees in the United States have been deeply affected by the
needs of the victims of these terrible events.  Later today, we will announce
some additional steps to help relief efforts in New York City."

    The "Michelin Relief Fund" will be established immediately to help victims
through the National Disaster Relief Fund of the American Red Cross.  "The
American Red Cross is working around the clock to ensure that those affected
by the tragedies on Tuesday have comfort and care," said John Clizbe, vice
president of disaster services for the American Red Cross.  "We are grateful
that so many people, including those from corporations such as Michelin, have
demonstrated a willingness to help the Red Cross provide immediate relief to
everyone who has been touched by these catastrophic events."

    Michelin manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including
airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty
trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle.  The company also publishes travel
guides, maps and atlases covering Europe, Asia, Africa and North America.
Michelin has nearly 80 production sites on five continents, sales operations
in 170 countries and employs 128,000.

    The American Red Cross is dedicated to saving lives, easing suffering and
restoring hope at home and around the world.  Currently operating on a budget
of $2.7 billion, the Red Cross annually mobilizes relief to the victims of
more than 67,000 disasters nationwide and has been the primary supplier of
lifesaving blood and blood products in the United States for more than
50 years.  In 2000, the Red Cross also trained almost 12 million people in
vital lifesaving skills and delivered more than 21 million locally relevant
community services.  The organization also assisted international disaster and
conflict victims in close to 40 locations around the globe, and its emergency
communication centers processed 1.2 million calls in support of U.S. military
families.  Bernadine Healy, M.D., is president and CEO of the American Red
Cross.