Yokohama Signs European Proving Ground Agreement

Yokohama Rubber has signed a contract with Spain’s IDIADA Automotive Technology SA, permitting the tyremaker to preferentially use the new IDIADA test track, which is scheduled to commence operation in April 2008. The term of the contract is 15 years, from 2008 through 2023. The purpose of entering such an agreement, reports Yokohama, is to achieve better evaluation performance and faster tyre development for European markets; an aim greatly facilitated by the preferential use of a test track that can be used to evaluate tyres even in winter.

The IDIADA test track is located adjacent to the company’s technical centre, 70 kilometres southwest of Barcelona. The facility is equipped with 11 different test tracks for high-speed, fatigue, braking, handling, dynamics and off-road driving. The contract signed by Yokohama covers the preferential usage of a 1,760-metre wet handling track that features partial straight and circling tracks for hydroplaning tests. Yokohama says it plans to use the new test track mainly for the evaluation of tyre compounds and tread patterns.

Increasing global tyre sales is the driving factor behind Yokohama’s decision to upgrade its evaluation capability. The company already operates a proving ground in Japan, including facilities specifically designed for the testing of winter tyres. In addition, Yokohama is building a new test site in Thailand. This proving ground should be completed some time during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009.