Just to follow up on this tire ordeal...
My dealer says it's a slice not a cut, so sad too bad.
GM says not a crack it's a slice, so sad too bad.
Michelin said it's a crack. They'll pay 63 % of my invoice for me. A cheque for 700.00 US is on the way.
Absolutely great people to deal with. Next tires will be Michelin again