RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif.—Pirelli Tire North America will build a tire plant in the eastern portion of the Sunbelt, attendees at the company's annual dealer meeting learned March 25. To be constructed within three years, the modular plant will produce high- and ultra-high-performance passenger and light truck tires, primarily for the original equipment market. The firm has a plant in Hanford, Calif.
PTNA President and CEO Carlo Bianconi said the company also will bring back the Armstrong brand and stop shipping Pirelli tires to warehouse clubs in light of its new strategic alliance with Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.