The Lexus NX is the Japanese brand’s first-ever plug-in hybrid vehicle, and UK deliveries begin this month. Yokohama Rubber says it is supplying original equipment tyres to the NX, with Toyota Motor Corporation fitting the Yokohama BluEarth-XT AE61 and BluEarth-XT AE61 Z・P・S to the SUV in size 235/60R18 103H.
Following our coverage of Yokohama’s offer for Trelleborg Wheel Systems, the tyre and wheel manufacturer’s Swedish parent company Trelleborg AB has confirmed that “external parties have shown interest to acquire Trelleborg’s business area Trelleborg Wheel Systems”. At the same time, Titan International offered its view on third-party interest in Trelleborg Wheel Systems.
On 14 December, Tyrepress.com shared information from sources who anticipate a Yokohama Rubber bid to acquire Trelleborg Wheel Systems. While the parties involved have neither confirmed nor denied such a transaction, the chairman of Titan International Inc. (TWI) has commented on a deal he apparently views as problematic.
From the start of next year, Yokohama tyres will be sold in Malaysia through a newly formed joint venture company. Tyre maker Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. will hold a 51 per cent stake in the new Yokohama Tyre Sales Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., with the remaining share held by YHI (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (YHIM), subsidiary of the exclusive distributor of Yokohama tyres in Southeast Asia, YHI International Limited (YHI). Akira Nakamoto has been appointed managing director.
Yokohama Tire has bid around $2 billion for Trelleborg Wheel Systems in a move that could further expand the Japanese company’s growing off-highway tyre business. Sources close to the bid told Tyres & Accessories that Yokohama is currently in a due diligence process that is likely to be completed during the next month or so. Yokohama previously bid for Prometeon, the ex-Pirelli industrial/off-highway tyre business at the end of 2019. Despite ongoing discussions over the following year or so, that deal wasn’t completed. Yokohama appointed the former global head of Prometeon, Gregorio Borgo, as its European president earlier this year. Trelleborg Wheel Systems executives declined to comment on the reports.
In addition to the Advan Sport V107, Yokohama Rubber is bringing three further ranges to market in the first quarter of 2022 – but unlike the latest flagship performance tyre these products won’t be sold in the UK or Europe, for now at least.
Yokohama Rubber reports that its Yokohama Advan Sport V107 will be available in the aftermarket from early next year. It will launch this flagship tyre worldwide from March 2022 in an initial range of 30 dimensions for 18- to 23-inch rim diameters. Including original equipment fitments, Yokohama will offer the V107 in a total of 43 sizes at this time but intends to gradually grow the range up to approximately 80 original equipment and replacement market dimensions by the end of next year.
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., announced today that it has succeeded in removing fake Yokohama aluminium wheels from the market in China. Authorities in Foshan, Guangdong Province aided this most recent victory against counterfeiters.
Talk at Yokohama Rubber is of record earnings for the first nine months of a fiscal year. The company reports that between the start of January and the end of September 2021, profit attributable to owners of parent increased approximately tenfold year-on-year, to 43.5 billion yen (£284.9 million). Operating profit was up sevenfold, to 59.3 billion yen (£388.4 million) and business profit rose approximately fourfold, to 37.1 billion yen (£243.0 million). Sales revenue was up 22.3 per cent, to 460.5 billion yen (£3.0 billion).
Developments resulting from the partnership between Yokohama Rubber and navigation technology firm Zenrin are currently being evaluated. Yokohama Rubber reports that the partners have begun practical testing on vehicles across Japan that are outfitted with sensors attached to the inner surface of their tyres.
Yokohama has appointed Gregorio Borgo as president and CEO of Yokohama´s European headquarters, Yokohama Europe GmbH. He succeeds the current president, Hiroyuki Shioiri, who becomes chairman of Yokohama Europe GmbH effective 10 October 2021.
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has announced a revision to its Procurement Policy for Sustainable Natural Rubber, which take effect this month. The revision to the procurement policy established in October 2018 incorporates the policy framework adopted by the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR) at its second general assembly in September 2020.
Trelleborg
Trelleborg
Yokohama
VW; Yokohama