Brandwave

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

In October 2026, Michelin had more branded searches than Pirelli among tyre brands in New Zealand. Michelin had about 3,520 branded searches, while Pirelli had 3,340. Michelin made up 11.5% of all tyre brand searches we track, and Pirelli accounted for 10.9%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about tyre brands, Michelin appeared in all five answers and Pirelli in three. Michelin was mentioned before Pirelli in every answer.

Among tyre brands in New Zealand in October 2026

Who do people search for more?

Michelin, about 5% more searches than Pirelli

Michelin 3.5K searchesPirelli 3.3K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Michelin, mentioned in every answer we collected

Michelin in 5 of 5Pirelli in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Michelin, named ahead of Pirelli in every answer

Michelin first in 5Pirelli never first

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Top tyre brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Michelin appeared in all five answers. Pirelli was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Michelin was listed before Pirelli 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 Michelin or Pirelli more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Michelin and Pirelli 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.

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

Share of searches by month for Michelin, Pirelli. 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 Michelin and Pirelli changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Michelin was ahead of Pirelli in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
  • 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.
  • Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Pirelli’s share of searches among tyre brands in New Zealand moved from 6.8% to 10.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.3K to 3.3K.

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

2 changes

  1. In October 2026, Pirelli gained share of searches among tyre brands in New Zealand, from 7.9% to 10.9%.

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

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

22 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Michelin’s and Pirelli’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.

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

Pirelli

11 branded search terms

  • pirelli
  • pirelli angel gt
  • pirelli cinturato
  • pirelli cinturato rosso
  • pirelli p
  • pirelli powergy
  • pirelli scorpion
  • pirelli scorpion tyres
  • pirelli scorpion verde
  • pirelli tires
  • pirelli tyre

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among tyre brands

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