Goodyear has broken ground for its San Luis Potosi plant in central Mexico.

Goodyear Mexico president and managing director Martin Rosales said the company would lay the cornerstone in November and the facility should start operations in July 2017.

Project director Darren Hayes-Powell said: “For us, this is the first plant we (will) have built in the Americas for 25 years. It’s something we are really very excited about.”

The plant, spanning over 1m sq ft, will be built on 94 acres in an industrial zone in San Luis Potosi, Rubber & Plastics News reported.

The plant will manufacture high value added tyres.

Hayes-Powell said: “We have some capabilities to expand but it depends on the market.”