Tag: Japan
Sailun becomes partner, tyre supplier to D1GP
On 11 January, Sailun Tire and production car drifting series D1 Grand Prix (D1GP) signed their official partnership for the 2020 season, solidifying Sailun as an official strategic partner and tyre supplier for what many consider to be the world’s top international drifting event.
Asahi Kasei opens Michigan office
Materials maker Asahi Kasei America has opened an office in Novi, Michigan to reach out to the automotive industry in North America. In North America, Asahi Kasei manufactures and sells car interior materials, compound resins, and battery separators, as well as electronic components for the automotive industry.
Bridgestone first partner to IPC video game
Bridgestone Corporation has been named as a sponsor of the first official video game of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). As the first partner of ‘The Pegasus Dream Tour’, Bridgestone is committed to helping the IPC engage new and younger audiences to increase awareness and popularity of Paralympic sports.
Toyo sells half its Bridgestone shares
The board of directors of Toyo Tire has decided to sell a portion of its stock holdings in Bridgestone.
Decennial shift in global PCLT tyre volume market share
The latest global tyre market share figures from tyre industry analyst Astutus Research show how long-established, leading players headquartered in Japan, Europe, and North America have seen their volume share diminish, while Chinese, ASEAN, and selected other markets’ tyre manufacturers’ share has risen. The analyst states that in aggregate, the ten leading PCLT tyre manufacturers based in Japan, Europe and North America (J-E-NA) have lost almost 6 percentage points of market share since the end of 2011 (OE and replacement segments combined, volumes in tyre units). In part this reflects a strategic choice of some to focus on the higher value premium segments of the market.
PlusStop – Bridgestone’s enhanced bus stop solution
Bridgestone Corporation has named its barrier-free bus stop kerb system, and that name is PlusStop. The company says the name PlusStop was selected as it represents the “extra value the system adds to a traditional bus stop”.
Tyre sensor development – Yokohama Rubber working with Alps Alpine
Yokohama Rubber has teamed up with Alps Alpine to conduct research and development into CASE (Connected, Autonomous, Shared & Services and Electric) compliant sensors for passenger car tyres. The tyre maker chose to partner with the Japanese electronics specialist as, in addition to experience in sensor development, Alps Alpine possesses system design and software development capabilities that Yokohama anticipates will deliver synergies to its new tyre business model.
Dunlop OE on Lexus LS in Japan
Sumitomo Rubber Industries is supplying its Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050 DSST CTT tyre as original equipment for Lexus LS models sold in Japan. The run-flat tyre will be fitted to the Lexus LS in size 245/45RF20 99Y.
Tyre energy to power vehicle electronics
Solar panels and wind turbines move aside, there’s a new source of electricity in town. It’s none other than the trusty tyre.
Toyo Proxes chosen for Mazda3
The new Mazda3, launched in Japan on 24 May 2019, will run out of the factory on the new Toyo Proxes R51 A in size 215/45R18 89W. The tyre was developed jointly with the car-maker, achieving the manufacturer’s rolling resistance, dry steering stability, wet grip and comfort performance parameters, with a new rubber compound based on the proprietary material design "Nano Balance Technology". This controls rubber material development at the nano level, and helps Toyo achieve a wide range of performances required to produce a well-balanced, advanced tyre.
Another Caterpillar platinum award for Yokohama
Yokohama Tire Corporation has been awarded Caterpillar’s premier supplier award for the seventh year in a row. The award – Platinum Level Recertification in its Supplier Quality Excellence Process (SQEP) – went to Yokohama’s factory in Onomichi, Japan. The plant produces òriginal equipment and replacement off-the-road (OTR) tyres for a wide range of equipment.
Global motorsport participation ‘crucial’ part of Yokohama technology strategy
Yokohama’s broad support for global motorsport series and events in 2019 are “crucial” to its positioning in the vanguard of new tyre technology development, the tyre manufacturer states. The importance of motorsport was outlined in the company’s three-year management plan implemented in 2018, the “Grand Design 2020” (GD2020) technology strategy. Yokohama HPT, the company’s UK division outlined its support for events at all levels at Autosport International in January – a strategy that reflects the presence of the brand in its domestic Japanese and global markets too. Its headline series in Japan include the Super Formula Championship, Formula 3, TCR touring cars events, and national rallying and karting championships, while GT racing will play a significant role globally for the company.
Yokohama supporting Chelsea FC pre-season match
This year, Chelsea FC will play a pre-season match in Japan, an event sponsor Yokohama Rubber has previously requested. The tyre maker has now announced its support of the fixture, which is scheduled for 19 July – it intends to “work closely with Chelsea” while the team is in Japan to “bring Japanese fans closer to the ‘Blues’ ahead of the 2019/20 season.”
Nokian launching summer tyres in Japan
Nokian has announced that it is introducing its Hakka summer tyre range in Japan. The product line will be available to Japanese consumers beginning in April.
Brexit OE tyre red-alert
Is Brexit going to wreak havoc on the automotive business or is it all just another millennium bug flash-in-the-pan? If a no-deal withdrawal does spell havoc, is it going to impact the tyre business as much as the OEMs?
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