Italian tyre firm Pirelli has recently scored well in test results carried out by Russian and Swedish publications. The tyres tested were both from the Cinturato family; Russia’s Za Rulem tested the Cinturato P1 while Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet tested the Cinturato P7.
Yokohama Rubber’s North American subsidiary, Yokohama Tire Corporation, has promoted Dan Funkhouser to the position of director of commercial dealer business. In this new role, he will be responsible for all commercial dealer and associated national account business.
Researchers from Yokohama Rubber report making progress in a project that may lead to lower external tyre noise and improved tyre aerodynamics. The Yokohama contingent is working together with a team of researchers at the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), which is a part of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The team, led by Professor Kozo Fujii, has successfully conducted the world’s first simulation of near real-scale flow structures (turbulence) around a tyre rolling on a road surface and the acoustic waves, or noise, generated from these structures. Yokohama Rubber expresses confidence that the ability to simulate a flow structure that enables precise measurement of acoustic waves opens up potential for new technological breakthroughs, and the company says it will therefore continue to support further research in these areas.
Yokohama HPT Ltd, the UK distributor of TSW and Victor Equipment wheels announced that the two wheels brands have added nine new wheel styles. All are available in the UK now.
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has used its presence at the Geneva Motor Show as the launchpad for three new production tyres (one summer and two winter) as well as the showcasing of its Aero Y electric vehicle and associated BluEarth EV concept tyre. At the centre of the launch was a new edition to its fuel-efficient “BluEarth” tyre brand for passenger cars in Europe and Asia, which will be introduced from this spring. Most “BluEarth-A” sizes have been awarded the European C grade for rolling resistance and A for wet performance when it comes to labelling.
Japanese tyre manufacturer Yokohama reports that it has seen demand for its range of SUV and 4×4 tyres in the UK increase in recent years. According to the company, this is due in part to increased numbers for so-called soft-roaders but also the increased awareness of the Yokohama range of SUV and 4×4 tyres.
Supply and demand within the OTR tyre market has greatly fluctuated in recent years. While tyre makers could hardly keep up with demand only a couple of years ago, last year supply was much stronger than demand. Tim Easter, director of OTR sales for Yokohama Rubber’s US operation, Yokohama Tire Corporation (YTC), has shared his views on these OTR market ups and downs, what the outlook is for 2014 and beyond, and what products Yokohama is bringing to market.
On 22 February, the official opening ceremony for Yokohama India’s Bahadurgarh plant was held in the presence of regional and company dignitaries. Trial production has already begun at the plant ahead of a start of commercial manufacture in the second half of this year.
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., is to exhibit highlight its high performance of tyres, with a focus on the Advan global flagship brand and the fuel-efficient BluEarth brand. According to the company, Yokohama’s booth will also display the “AERO-Y” electric vehicle (EV) concept car. Yokohama suggest a number of new products will be introduced at the show including three new tyre products, two of which are described as world premieres and one a European premier.
On 17 February, Yokohama’s European subsidiary officially opened a dedicated winter tyre development and testing centre in Nattberg, Sweden, roughly 80 kilometres from the Arctic Circle. The latest news represents the most recent development in the expanding cooperation between Yokohama and Nordic tyre specialists Arctic Falls, which began roughly a decade ago. In practice this means Yokohama has signed a long-term contract with Arctic Falls for exclusive use of the facility during the long winter season and that it is branded as Yokohama Test Center of Sweden.
Net sales, operating income and net income at Yokohama Rubber rose to record levels during the 2013 financial year, the company reports. It says this performance mainly reflected a tyre business recovery in North America and China along with strong winter tyre sales in the Japanese market. Net income increased 7.3 per cent over the previous year to ¥35.0 billion (£206.0 million), on a 14.0 per cent increase in operating income, to ¥56.6 billion (£333.1 million) and a 7.5 per cent increase in net sales, to ¥601.6 billion (£3.5 billion).
The Board of Directors at Yokohama Rubber and Kumho Tire have resolved to enter into master technological alliance agreement. This agreement is the result of discussions between the two companies following their signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on 29 November 2013; Yokohama says the newly-signed agreement defines the framework and purpose of the technology alliance the two tyre makers will share, and it paves the way for further discussion of the details of the their proposed technology tie-up.
Sustainable materials company Lehigh Technologies has elected Lamar Chambers, former senior vice president and chief financial officer at Ashland Inc, a leading specialty chemical company with more than $8 billion in revenue, to its board of directors. Chambers led Ashland’s financial organization during a period defined by multiple high-profile acquisitions and significant change in the […]
At next month’s CONEXPO-CON/AGG construction industry trade show in the US, Yokohama Tire Corporation will unveil two new OTR radials – the RL45 and the RL51. Both tyres are described by Tim Easter, Yokohama’s director of OTR sales as spotlighting the company’s “latest technology in OTR radial tyre tread design.” Easter says the new treads “are more durable and last longer.”
The Advan Sport V105 N-0 has been approved as an original equipment fitment for the Porsche Panamera. Yokohama Rubber shares it will supply the Porsche saloon with the Advan in size 255/40ZR20 (101Y) for the front wheels and 295/35ZR20 (105Y) for the rear.
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