In March, Michelin North America (Canada) Inc. announced it plans to reduce production and cut 500 jobs from its plant in Granton, Nova Scotia. However, the first round of job cuts at the plant will be delayed by three weeks to coincide with a scheduled two-week manufacturing break at the facility.

About 200 jobs were due to be cut on July 1, but a spokeswoman for Michelin North America (Canada) Inc. said it won’t happen until the third week of July.

“All severance dates will be adjusted accordingly,” spokeswoman Deborah Carty said.

Michelin plans to cut another 300 jobs at the plant on July 1, 2015.

Michelin North America (Canada) Inc. said the market for small car and truck tires is dropping, and it’s too expensive to upgrade the 43-year-old Granton plant to make larger tires.

After July 2015, the Granton plant will focus on a high performance tire production line. Rubber mixing, a tire membrane shop as well as corporate offices will remain at the site.

Employees who lose their jobs at the Granton plant have been offered work at Michelin’s two other Nova Scotia facilities in Waterville and Bridgewater.