The first X One rolled off the line earlier this week, the end result of an $82 million expansion at the plant specifically to produce the super wide tires.
“Sales of the X One tire have more than doubled each year since its commercial introduction in 2000,” said Luc Minguet, CEO of Michelin Americas Truck Tires. “This expansion in Waterville is a key component of Michelin’s ability to meet the growing demand of the North American marketplace.”
The expansion boosted Michelin’s X One capacity by 50%, the company said, and makes the Waterville the second-largest truck tire plant in Michelin’s global network.