Pirelli

Founded in Milan in 1872 by Giovanni Battista Pirelli, Pirelli is an Italian multinational tire manufacturer that has grown into one of the world's most respected names in automotive performance. As the 5th-largest tire manufacturer globally, Pirelli has built its reputation on cutting-edge technology, motorsport heritage, and an unwavering commitment to innovation that spans more than 150 years.

Motorsport DNA and Engineering Excellence

Pirelli has been sponsoring sport competitions since 1907 and serves as the exclusive tire partner for the FIA Formula One World Championship since 2011. This deep involvement in motorsport isn't just about branding—it's where Pirelli develops and tests the advanced compounds, construction techniques, and performance characteristics that eventually make their way into consumer products. In 1974, Pirelli invented the "wide radial tire" upon a request from the Lancia rally racing team for a tire strong enough to withstand the power of the new Lancia Stratos, demonstrating the company's ability to push technological boundaries when performance demands it.

In 2024 Pirelli invested 5.3% of its High Value revenues in Research & Development and counts around 2,100 R&D staff, working at its Milan headquarters and 12 local technology centers, as well as a total portfolio of 6,000 patents. This commitment to innovation ensures that whether you're driving a performance sedan, luxury SUV, or sports car, Pirelli products deliver the precision handling, safety, and durability that demanding drivers expect.

Premium Tires for Every Application

Pirelli's core business revolves around high-performance tires engineered for cars, motorcycles, and bicycles. Pirelli works directly with car manufacturers to co-develop tires tuned to each vehicle's characteristics (this is called "homologation"), which explains why so many premium and luxury vehicles roll off the factory floor equipped with Pirelli rubber. From the iconic P Zero series favored by supercar manufacturers to all-season touring tires for daily drivers, Pirelli's extensive product lineup addresses every performance need and driving condition.

The brand's focus extends beyond just passenger car applications. In its modernized plant at Milano-Bollate, since March 2022 Pirelli has been producing cycling tires, the only factory to produce "Made in Italy" bicycle tires on an industrial scale, showcasing the company's dedication to bringing the same engineering rigor to every category it enters.

Supporting Products: Tire Inner Tubes and Wheels

Beyond tires themselves, Pirelli offers a complete range of supporting products including tire inner tubes for applications where tube-type construction is preferred or required, particularly in classic vehicles and certain motorcycle applications. The company's attention to material quality and manufacturing precision extends to every component, ensuring that even accessories meet the exacting standards Pirelli has established over its long history.

Sustainability and the Future

In 2021, the company began its journey towards the manufacture of tires containing FSC™ - Forest Stewardship Council™-certified natural rubber and foresees that by 2026 it will use only FSC™-certified natural rubber in all its European factories. This commitment to responsible sourcing, combined with ongoing research into bio-based and recycled materials, demonstrates that Pirelli is engineering not just for performance today, but for a sustainable tomorrow.

Operating commercially in over 160 countries with 19 manufacturing sites across 13 countries and a network of around 14,600 distributors and retailers, Pirelli continues to set the standard for what premium tires should deliver: the perfect balance of performance, safety, and innovation rooted in over a century of Italian engineering excellence.