Toyo Tire to rejig production in response to US tariffs

Osaka, Japan – Toyo Tire Corp. is increasing production at its plant in White, Georgia, to “fully utilise” its local US capacity as part of measures to counter expected tariff impacts on tire imports into the country.

The strategy includes a ramp-up in output of “fast-selling” wide light truck radial (WLTR) tires, ‘fully leveraging’ existing equipment to “raise production capacity” for the domestic market, said Toyo 8 Aug.

At the same time, Toyo said it will “shift production for non-US markets from the US plant to other facilities” to optimise the supply system and free up more local capacity for US demand.

On the commercial side, the group plans to “actively promote new products that generate demand” in the US market while passing higher raw material costs onto replacement tire prices.

For OE tires and automotive parts, Toyo aims to “expedite negotiations to pass on cost fluctuations” to customers.

The measures, Toyo said, form part of the group’s strategy to “adapt flexibly to the changing operating environment” and strengthen its presence in the US by leveraging its local manufacturing base.

Operational since 2005, the facility in White has the capacity to produce 14 million units per annum of passenger car and light truck tires.