Yokohama Rubber has announced its 2025 motorsports activity plan, reinforcing its commitment to motorsports as a platform for advancing tyre technology and promoting its Advan and Geolandar brands. The company aims to expand its presence across global racing events, ranging from top-tier competitions to grassroots motorsports.
Less than a year ago, Yokohama TWS was sharing news of a 20 per cent capacity increase at the 40,000 square metre Trelleborg Tires plant in Spartanburg, USA. Now it is planning the factory’s closure. According to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) filing made with the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce, Yokohama TWS North America intends to permanently close the facility by 19 April 2025. The closure will affect 90 jobs.
The UK is renown, amongst tyre buyers at least, for an almost complete absence of winter. Although the all-season segment has steadily grown in recent years, the temperate, nearly tropical clime of Albion endows many with the confidence to drive the entire year on summer tyres. But winter tyres are available for anyone seeking extra grip in the less balmy months, including an all-new tyre from Yokohama.
Yokohama Rubber reports that the company in conjunction with Dr. Bo Nils Johan Persson, has developed “the world’s first theoretical model for predicting rubber wear on surfaces with multiscale roughness”. The research that led to the theoretical model is published in “The Journal of Chemical Physics” (published by the American Institute of Physics).
Upon announcing its consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, the Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. speaks of “record sales and earnings.” Sales revenue increased 11.1% YoY, reaching ¥1.09 trillion (£5.69 billion). Furthermore, Yokohama Rubber achieved notable gains in profitability during the year; profit attributable to owners of the parent company rose by 11.4%, to ¥75 billion (£391 million).
Gregorio Borgo has added the position of Consultant of Yokohama TWS to his remit. He will begin in this capacity with the agricultural, material handling, construction and two-wheeler tyre and wheel division from 28 March 2025 alongside his current engagement as Acting President of Yokohama Europe GmbH. Additionally, Borgo will climb a rung of the corporate ladder on that date, swapping his title of Associate Officer of Yokohama Rubber for that of Officer.
Yokohama Rubber has further expanded its original equipment supply activities in China with a new deal with Lynk & Co, the firm established in 2016 as a three-way joint venture and, from 14 February 2025, a non-wholly owned subsidiary of Zeekr Intelligent Technology. The Lynk & Co Z10 saloon – the company’s first full electric vehicle – leaves the factory equipped with Yokohama Advan Sport EV tyres in size 245/50R19 105W.
Yokohama Rubber has announced international motorsport arrangements that will see it supply Yokohama Advan tyres to a US racing series as well as a team contesting the 2025 Nürburgring 24-Hour Race. These deals involve both Ford Performance and the Haupt Racing Team.
Just hours after Goodyear Tire & Rubber and Yokohama Rubber confirmed the completion of the sale of Goodyear OTR to the Japanese tyremaker for around $905 million, Goodyear detailed how the funds are being used. The largest part sees Goodyear pay-back $500 million of 9.5% interest-bearing bonds due this year.
On 6 February, global environmental non-profit CDP affirmed Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. on its A List of companies that have achieved the highest score for their leadership in environmental transparency and climate change. According to the company, Yokohama’s selection recognizes its efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate climate change risks, and disclose highly transparent information, based on its responses to the CDP’s 2024 climate change questionnaire. This is Yokohama Rubber’s third-straight time and sixth appearance in total on the A list.
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has begun practical testing of an innovative artificial intelligence (AI)-powered technology that gauges tyre air pressure by analysing the sound produced when tapping upon a truck or bus tyre. The tyre maker anticipates that the resulting improvement in air pressure monitoring accuracy will deliver improved safety and reduce costs while streamlining operations and supporting sustainable logistics.
The former Mitas off-highway tyre (OHT) factory in Prague, Czech Republic will cease production by the middle of this year. The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. (YRC) has decided to close the facility, operated by its subsidiary Yokohama TWS Czech Republic a.s., as part of a scheme to boost efficiencies. The Prague plant’s production programme will transfer to other facilities within the YRC Group.
Electric vehicle manufacturer Nio Inc. has selected Yokohama Advan Sport EV tyres as original equipment for its Onvo L60, which debuted in China last September. The SUV wears the Advan tyre in size 245/50R19 101V.
The Yokohama Rubber Group has sent its ”deepest condolences” to the families of the many people who lost their lives in the flooding that occurred in the province of Valencia in eastern Spain on 29 October 2024, extending “heartfelt sympathies to all those affected by the disaster”.
Yokohama Rubber reports another regional original equipment tyre supply deal, this time for the Nissan Patrol, which is available from launch in the Middle East region with Yokohama Geolandar X-CV tyres as standard. The large 4×4 wears the Geolandar X-CV in size 275/60R20 115H.
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