MNA announced plans in August 2007 to build a $740 million passenger and light truck/SUV tire plant in Guanajuato, Mexico. The plant was to produce tires for the North American market. Construction was to have started earlier this year, with the plant slated to be operating in 2010.
However, a severe downturn in consumer level sales of tires plus an industry-wide over-capacity problem has put those plans on hold.
It is not know how much work had been done on construction of the planned plant, or if plans could be revived in the future.
In a statement, MNA said: “The plant was intended to produce tires for the North American market. At the same time, productivity gains and additional investments in existing North American production facilities will enable Michelin to respond to continued strong demand for high-performance and large-diameter tires.”
MNA did say that its other North American plant expansion plans will continue. (Tire Review/Akron)
