Michelin Brand Tyres Now Made in Mexico

(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin brand passenger and light truck/SUV tyres are now being produced in Mexico for the very first time. Michelin North America upgraded its production facilities at its plant in Queretaro to allow Michelin-brand tyre production.

“In the past three years, Michelin’s replacement tyre sales in Mexico have jumped more than 60 percent, outpacing the market more than six times,” said Jim Micali, MNA chairman and president. “Mexico is one of the top 10 tyre markets in the world, growing at almost twice the rate of the US market. Until today, every Michelin-brand tyre sold in Mexico was imported. It is crucial for us to have in-country production to meet the phenomenal demand in Mexico and to increase our total North American capacity for Michelin brand’s high-quality tyres.

“Consumers have extremely high expectations for their Michelin tyres,” said Micali. “We are confident that every tire that rolls off the line here in Queretaro will live up to those expectations.”

Demand for Michelin tyres is growing in other Mexican tyre segments, the company said. Just two months ago, MNA announced the construction of a new plant in Queretaro, adjacent to MNA’s passenger tyre plant there, to produce tread rubber for retreading Michelin’s commercial truck tyres.

That new plant will open in spring 2007.