Toyo makes US appointments
On 6 September Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd. president and CEO Akira Nobuki confirmed that company has made a couple of overseas appointments to its North American operations.
On 6 September Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd. president and CEO Akira Nobuki confirmed that company has made a couple of overseas appointments to its North American operations.
On 14 August, Toyo Tire & Rubber, along with its North American subsidiary Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas and its affiliates, filed a formal complaint before the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) against 22 manufacturers, importers, and sellers of passenger and light truck tyres.
Toyo Tire & Rubber says expansion work on its White, Georgia passenger car and light truck tyre plant in the US is set to begin and will be finished in three years’ time. This fourth-stage capacity expansion project will initially lift production capacity at the Toyo Tire North America Manufacturing Inc. plant by 2.5 million units per annum. The 20 billion yen (£133.7 million), 44,000 square metre expansion will increase the facility’s size by 50 per cent and house equipment that represents half of all plant capacity.
Toyo has launched a new winter tyre designed to offer “a safer winter driving experience” and offering significant improvements in all key labelling characteristics as well. Massive improvements in both rolling resistance (19 per cent) and tyre wear (37 per cent) are the highlights of what is quite clearly a new generation product.
Following publication of news that Toyo Tire & Rubber may be looking to increase production in the US, a representative from the Japanese tyre maker contacted Tyres & Accessories to clarify the information presented in our text from 10 July.
According to the results of one recent comparative test, Continental is on top down under. The German tyre maker landed first place in the summer tyre test conducted by Australia’s “Choice” magazine. A total of 15 size 205/60 R 16 tyres, fitted to a Holden Cruze (sold in the UK and Europe under the Chevrolet name), were tested on a Queensland racetrack for handling, braking distance and ride comfort.
Toyo Tire & Rubber appears likely to increase production in the US. Company president Akira Nobuki has been quoted by Bloomberg as saying that US manufacturing is “making a comeback” and that Toyo can “can picture the scenario of jobs coming back” and expansion occurring in this market.
Toyo Tires has launched a new tyre promising the highest levels of safety, grip and wet-weather performance in an attractive case design that comes in many sizes and fitments. The new Proxes CF2 offers outstanding all-round ability and excellent value for money.
Ideal for medium and high-powered cars, the CF2 utilises the very latest materials and production methods, drawing heavily from Toyo’s UHP and Motorsport ranges to create a tyre that offers exceptionally high levels of safety, durability, and comfort.
Toyo Tires has announced its support of the British Army Motorsport Association (BAMA) through the supply of discount tyres to Army racers throughout the season. Toyo will also provide prizes for successful competitors and set-up advice.
Toyo Tire & Rubber Co president Akira Nobuki has announced the completion of the company’s new tyre plant in Malaysia (TTM). Toyo is progressing towards a three-region global supply system as outlined in the company’s 2011 mid-term business plan, with factories in North America, Japan and Asia. Toyo’s Asia operations are in a process of expanded motorisation where further growth of demand is expected. Toyo is positioning Asia as a vital strategic market that will provide a boost to its business foundation.
Shortly before Tyres & Accessories visited Van den Ban in late March, the Netherlands-based wholesaler announced plans to enter the truck tyre market. A truck specialist, Hans Bakker, has been appointed to assist Van den Ban in growing this business; Bakker, along with commercial manager Cyril Versteeg, discussed the wholesaler’s plans in relation to truck tyres.
Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd. has announced its plans to build a new head office in Itami, Hyogo Prefecture next to the site of its Tire Technical Center. The Japanese manufacturer, whose current head office is in Osaka said that the company plans to relocate in August 2015, the month in which Toyo will celebrate its 70th anniversary.
On the first day of April, Toyo Tire & Rubber established a wholly-owned affiliate in Thailand, Toyo Tire (Thailand) Co., Ltd. The operation is responsible for selling original equipment and aftermarket sales in this Southeast Asian country; original equipment business is scheduled to begin in April, while the affiliate is expected to begin its aftermarket activities in July. The operation employs 11 staff and is headed up by Kanji Kasai as managing director. Kasai also serves as general manager of Toyo Tire & Rubber’s Asia Oceania business unit.
Toyo has a range of SUV/4×4 tyres to cover on and off-road applications, with two tyres available for the high-powered, road-going SUV class. The Proxes T1 Sport SUV was created specifically for the high load and speed demands of the current crop of ultra-high performance SUVs like the Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Toyo says. The tyre extends the fitment coverage upwards of the longer-established Proxes S/T, whose “double V” tread pattern offers high speed stability and wet weather performance.
Toyo has agreed to buy Brazilian auto vibration parts manufacturer Produflex for around 1.5 billion yen (US$15.6 million), according to the Nikkei. Produflex manufacturers anti-vibration products for OEMs operating in Brazil including Fiat and, according to online reports, the Brazilian firm has around 430 workers and reported sales of 1.5 billion yen in 2012. The deal was made public on 11 March 2013.
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