Michelin and Toyota close manufacturing plants in Brazil

Two major multinational corporations have concluded industrial operations at specific facilities in Brazil as part of restructuring or competitive adjustments.

Michelin, the French tire manufacturer, has closed its factory in Guarulhos, Greater São Paulo. The closure, which concluded in December 2025, affected approximately 350 employees. The company cited an inability to compete with lower-priced imported products, particularly from Asian markets, as the primary reason for making the unit economically unviable. The facility, which Michelin operated after acquiring the Levorin brand, produced motorcycle and bicycle inner tubes, industrial tires, and semi-finished materials.

Separately, Toyota has ended production at its Indaiatuba plant in the interior of São Paulo. The facility, which had been operational since September 1998, closed on June 30, 2026. The move is part of an industrial restructuring that involves transferring operations to another city in the state. The closure affected approximately 1,500 workers. The Indaiatuba unit was a significant site for the Japanese automaker, having produced over 1 million vehicles, including the Corolla Sedan.