Brandwave

Hankook vs Michelin:Which is more popular in New Zealand?

In October 2026, Michelin had more branded searches than Hankook among tyre brands in New Zealand. Michelin had about 3,520 branded searches, while Hankook had 1,350. Michelin made up 11.5% of all tyre brand searches we track, and Hankook accounted for 4.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about tyre brands, Michelin appeared in all five answers and Hankook in four. Michelin was mentioned before Hankook in every answer.

Among tyre brands in New Zealand in October 2026

Who do people search for more?

Michelin, about 3 searches for every 1 for Hankook

Michelin 3.5K searchesHankook 1.4K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Michelin, mentioned in every answer we collected

Michelin in 5 of 5Hankook in 4 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Michelin, named ahead of Hankook in every answer

Michelin first in 5Hankook never first

Follow Hankook vs Michelin and get free monthly updates on what changed

By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy

Track your brand against a rival →

Top tyre brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Michelin appeared in all five answers. Hankook was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Michelin was listed before Hankook in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Michelin1st
  2. Bridgestone2nd
  3. Continental3rd
  4. Goodyear4th
  5. Hankook5th
  6. Pirelli6th
  7. Yokohama7th
  8. Dunlop8th

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Bridgestone5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Michelin5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Continental5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Hankook4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Goodyear4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Pirelli3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Yokohama2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Dunlop2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about tyre brands

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.

Is Hankook or Michelin more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Hankook and Michelin by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight tyre brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Hankook and Michelin among tyre brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Michelin, Hankook. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthBridgestoneMichelinPirelliYokohamaHankookGoodyearContinentalDunlop
Nov 202568%11.7%6.8%2.3%3.3%4%2.6%1.4%
Dec 202572.3%8.5%6%2.3%2.8%4.1%2.6%1.4%
Jan 202670.1%9.8%5.9%2.7%3.4%4%2.5%1.7%
Feb 202669.1%9.4%6.1%2.9%3.6%4.6%2.7%1.6%
Mar 202669.1%9.7%6.1%3.1%4.1%4%2.6%1.3%
Apr 202667.4%10.9%6.4%3.1%4.1%4.3%2.5%1.4%
May 202666.3%11.6%6.1%3.5%4.1%4.4%2.5%1.6%
Jun 202658.8%20.5%6.4%2.8%4.1%3.7%2.5%1.4%
Jul 202654.1%27.7%5.4%3%3.2%3.4%2%1.1%
Aug 202661.1%16.5%6.4%4%3.7%3.9%2.9%1.5%
Sep 202661.7%13.3%7.9%4.4%4.2%3.9%3%1.6%
Oct 202659.1%11.5%10.9%5.5%4.4%3.8%3.1%1.5%

How has branded search for Hankook and Michelin changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Michelin was ahead of Hankook in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Hankook’s share of searches among tyre brands in New Zealand moved from 3.3% to 4.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.1K to 1.4K.
  • Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Michelin’s share of searches among tyre brands in New Zealand moved from 11.7% to 11.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 4K to 3.5K.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand tyre brands in October 2026?

2 changes

  1. In October 2026, Michelin lost share of searches among tyre brands in New Zealand, from 13.3% to 11.5%.

  2. Hankook’s share of searches among tyre brands in New Zealand has gained ground for 3 months in a row, from 3.2% to 4.4% in October 2026.

How are Hankook’s and Michelin’s branded searches counted?

20 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Hankook’s and Michelin’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Hankook

9 branded search terms

  • hankook
  • hankook dynapro
  • hankook dynapro mt
  • hankook ion evo
  • hankook kinergy
  • hankook kinergy st
  • hankook tires
  • hankook tyre
  • hankook ventus

Michelin

11 branded search terms

  • michelin
  • michelin anakee adventure
  • michelin e primacy
  • michelin mtb tires
  • michelin pilot sport
  • michelin primacy
  • michelin primacy 4
  • michelin primacy 5
  • michelin primacy suv
  • michelin tires
  • michelin tyre

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among tyre brands

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Put your own brand in this comparison

Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.

Start free