Trial production begins at Michelin's new tire plant in Russia

PARIS (Oct. 22)—Groupe Michelin's new passenger tire plant near Moscow has begun trial production. The factory, in Davydovo about 60 miles east of Moscow, is rated at 2 million tires a year at full production, expected in 2005, Michelin said. The new unit, Michelin Russian Tyres Manufacturing Co., initially will make tires for the Russian market only but eventually may export to neighboring countries considered part of the Commonwealth of Independent States, according to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which provided $20 million in financing.