MINERVA HISTORY

About MINERVA

Once the largest automobile brand in Belgium, MINERVA is now a leading budget tyre manufacturer. Founded by Dutchman Sylvain de Jong, MINERVA was named after the goddess of wisdom and craft, reflecting a passion for technique and engineering.

MINERVA’s exceptional quality comes from partnerships with top production lines from Continental Tyre Germany, Nokian Tyre Finland, Nexen Tyre Korea, and leading Chinese manufacturers. European and Korean engineers design the latest, state-of-the-art patterns.

MINERVA tyres are certified by DOT, EU LABEL, ISO, INMETRO, GS, SASO, and others. They are designed for comfort, quietness, handling, and fuel efficiency.

Types of MINERVA Tyres

  • HP (High Performance)
  • UHP (Ultra High Performance)
  • SUV
  • OFFROAD

MINERVA History

A long history, a bright future

1897
Start production of Sylvain de Jong
1902
First MINERVA motorcycle
1904
First MINERVA automobile
1906
Focus on production of high-end luxury
1908
Top model 38 hp boosts status of luxury car
1911
MINERVA is the largest car
1914-18
World War I prevents production
1919
Reconstruction of the factory after WW I
1920
New top model 30 hp launches MINERVA
1928
Company has 6.800 employees
1929
The Great Depression causes
1934
Bankruptcy and acquisition by Imperia
1958
Final bankruptcy in 1958 but with a prominent spot in the automobile history
1990-1995
Private tyre label in Europe
1995
First MINERVA summer tyres with complete size range until 16 inch Made by Continental AG
1997
Production of UHP tyres: 17 and 18 inch
1995-2007
Development of a dealer network in Europe
2007
Innovation: production transfer, first private tyre label with production in Asia Fast development and size range expansion Start of a global strategy
2011
Cooperation with tyre manufacturer
2012
First studdable winter tyres
2013
First truck tyres
2014
First run-flat tyres
2015
First all season tyres
2016
Most extended size range in budget
2017
Full summer pattern renewal: five new
2018
Winter pattern renewal and new sizes
2019
R&D continues: all season range