A new facility for testing Yokohama winter tyres entered operation on 5 January. Yokohama Rubber opened the indoor ice circle facility at its Tire Test Center of Hokkaido to evaluate the turning performance of car, bus and truck winter tyres on icy surfaces, a characteristic it considers, after braking performance, the “second most important tyre performance on icy roads.”
Yokohama is supplying its Geolandar M/T G003 tyres for SUVs and pickup trucks to more than 30 teams at the annual King of the Hammers off-road race in California (4–11 February). The manufacturer is providing a mix of its Geolandar M/T G003 and a special race version based on that tyre. The King of the Hammers is the Ultra4 National Series racing tour season-opener. The series combines desert racing and rock crawling and is considered the one of the toughest off-road races in the world. Yokohama tyres will be used in all four-wheel class races over the week-long event.
Following the news that the UK Competitions and Market Authority (CMA) has opened an investigation into Yokohama’s acquisition of Trelleborg Wheel Systems (TWS), Trelleborg representatives have clarified that – in their view – “…there are no reasons why this deal should not be approved.”
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has opened an investigation into the proposed merger of Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd of Trelleborg Wheel Systems Holding AB (TWS). Writing in a statement published on 31 January, CMA officials stated that “pursuant to section 96(2A) of the Act that the merger notice provided by Yokohama [and TWS]…” meets “the requirements of section 96(2) of the [relevant] Act.” In other words, the CMA investigation is a formality for a merger of this kind.
Yokohama is supplying Advan Apex V601 tyres as original equipment on the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla, launched in Japan in January. The GR Corolla is fitted with 235/40R18 91W size tyres. Toyota will introduce the model gradually into overseas markets. The Yokohama Advan Apex V601 is a high-performance summer tyre with an asymmetric tread pattern reminiscent of that first used on one the Company’s most historically important tyres, the Yokohama A008, alongside the tyre manufacturer’s latest technologies. The V601 promotes grip, handling and wet performance.
While the fifth-generation Toyota Prius will not be sold in Europe, the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) edition will be launched in the market in spring 2023, rolling on Yokohama’s BluEarth-GT AE51 and BluEarth-FE AE30 tyres, like the conventional version. The news continues a long-term supply arrangement between the Japanese firms for the Prius range.
Recent months have seen the appointment of a completely new leadership team at Yokohama’s UK distribution operation, Yokohama HPT Ltd. Well-known in the market for its high-performance passenger car tyre and wheel sales, the appointments signal the start of a new chapter. With that in mind, Tyres & Accessories visited the company’s Milton Keynes headquarters and distribution centre in order to meet with recently-appointed CEO Peter Fairlie; commercial director, Karl Naylor; and marketing manager, Lucie Dalton, in order to find out more.
It isn’t coming to the UK – or Australia and New Zealand, for that matter – but many other markets are being introduced to the latest generation Toyota Prius this month. In Europe, the fifth-generation car will be exclusively available as a plug-in hybrid, and Toyota will launch this model in spring. Prius will be available from the factory on Yokohama tyres.
For the 18th year in a row, The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has been included in the global stock index FTSE4Good Index Series, an achievement it says “reconfirms that the company’s ESG activities and disclosure practices meet the highest global standards.” The tyre, wheel and rubber products maker has also been selected to the FTSE Blossom Japan Index for the sixth straight year.
Yokohama UK reports that it has appointed Lucie Dalton, as its new marketing manager and Charlotte Hodgson as price and demand planning manager in a move that completes its senior management team.
Yokohama Europe has appointed Tobias Kins as its new head of marketing. The new marketing manager has been working for the Düsseldorf-based Yokohama Europe for over six years and his most recent role was Head of Sales Division.
Yokohama Rubber reports that the relocation to a new headquarters at the site of its Hiratsuka factory in Japan will commence 10 January 2023. The various head office departments will make the shift from Tokyo to Hiratsuka City in seven steps over the following two months, with the move complete by 6 March.
Karl Naylor has been appointed as the commercial director of Yokohama (UK). He brings a wealth of tyre industry experience into the role, having worked in various managerial positions at Michelin, Kumho Tyre and Apollo, as well as managing director of Group Tyre UK.
Yokohama will supply Advan racing tyres with 33 per cent sustainable material content as the control tyre for the Japanese Super Formula Championship from the 2023 season. The tyre supplier said work on the tyre for dry conditions is complete, while wet tyre development continues with a view to providing both to the series from next year. Yokohama says the tyres have demonstrated performance equivalent to that of the standard tyres used in Super Formula 2022 races.
Błażej Bębenista has been named as the new commercial director of Yokohama CEE Sp. z o.o. based in Warsaw, Poland, effective 1 January 2023.
Bębenista brings with him 11 years of experience in the tyre industry, including the retail manager/managing director position at Driver Polska; and motorsport manager Poland as well as other sales positions at major tyre manufacturers.
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