MINERVA, once the pinnacle of Belgian automotive engineering, has been revered by nobility, politicians, industrialists, and film stars. Today, it stands as a leading economy tyre brand designed and manufactured in Europe and Asia. Founded in 1897 by Sylvain de Jong, MINERVA started with motorized bicycles and quickly evolved into luxury automobiles. By 1991, it had become Belgium’s largest car manufacturer, known for its high-end models owned by notable figures including Henry Ford and even rumored to have been used by Al Capone.

Despite its peak in the early 20th century, financial crises and World War II bombings brought an end to its car production. However, MINERVA’s legacy endures through the few luxury cars that remain and its current success in the tyre industry.