Michelin North America (MNA) Inc. has joined other tiremakers who are increasing production in response to Ford's Firestone tire recall announced earlier this week.
MNA will crank manufacturing up to full capacity at all of its North American passenger and light truck tire plants.
The French-owned tiremaker also will import tires into the United States from its factories abroad.
Last fall, MNA built an extra two million tires to help fill the void created by Bridgestone/Firestone Inc.'s voluntary recall of some 6.5 million units.
The company's tires are OE on 70% of the 2002 model year Ford Explorers, according to MNA officials. And it expects to pick up more original equipment fitments on other Ford vehicles.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. announced production increases several days ago.
