The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has spun off the sales unit of its Vietnam tyre production and sales subsidiary, Yokohama Tyre Vietnam Inc. (YTVI), into a new dedicated sales company. Yokohama Tyre Sales Vietnam Co., Ltd. will begin operations as an independent entity on 1 January 2024 with its headquarters in Ho Chi Minh City. YTVI will become a dedicated tyre production company.
Yokohama tyres are an original equipment fitment on the Lexus LBX. The compact SUV, which debuts in Europe, Japan and Asia in December 2023, will be available with Yokohama Advan V61 tyres in sizes 225/55R18 98H and 225/60R17 99H.
The Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. has confirmed that it is supplying its Advan dB V551 and Aspec A349 tyres as original equipment (OE) to Honda Motor Co. Ltd. for use on the brand’s new Odyssey minivan, which is slated for December 2023 launch in Japan. Specifically, the Odyssey is being equipped with the Advan dB V551 in 225/50R18 95V and Aspec A349 in 215/60R17 96H.
Two vehicles equipped with Yokohama Geolandar tyres for SUVs and pickup trucks captured class championships in two United States off-road racing series: Best In The Desert’s Trick Truck class and the ULTRA4 Racing’s 4900 UTV Pro Mod class. Best In The Desert is the largest off-road racing series in North America, with two-wheel and four-wheel vehicles compete in more than 50 different classes. The Trick Truck class championship was won by Jonathan Brenthel driving a truck fitted with Geolandar M/T G003 tyres.
David Oliva has been appointed as European marketing manager for Prinx Chengshan, the Chinese tyre manufacturer that also owns a manufacturing facility in Thailand.
Vipal Rubber is participating in the Tyres & More National Conference in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. The tyre retreading supplier is presenting its growth trajectory over the last 50 years, reaching its current global scale, and its product portfolio. The host is Yokohama’s retreading and repairs franchise in Australia, which has an extensive network of distributors in the retread tyres and services segment. Tyres & More’s network of distributors work in close collaboration with retreaders to sell retreaded tyres.
In addition to its already announced supply of Yokohama Advan V107 tyres for the Porsche Cayenne, Yokohama Rubber is producing its Advan V35 as original equipment for the SUV. It is shipping the Yokohama Advan V35 to Porsche AG in the front wheel size 285/40R22 110V and rear size 315/35R22 111V.
Yokohama’s Advan tyres helped the JLOC Lamborghini GT3, driven by Takashi Kogure and Yuya Motojima, win the GT300 class in the final race, Round 8 of the 2023 Autobacs Super GT Series, held at Mobility Resort Motegi in Tochigi Prefecture on 4 and 5 November, 2023. In Japan’s premier touring car racing series., many teams in the GT300 class equipped their cars with Advan racing tyres this year. These cars won four out of eight races.
The CEOs of 10 leading tyre manufacturers have gathered to confirm a two-year Tire Industry Project (TIP) workplan focused on “sustainability in the tyre lifecycle”. The plans includes targets relating to tyre-emission research and end-of-life tyre management amongst other points.
Yokohama has unveiled the new Geolandar CV 4S, a comprehensive all-season tyre for crossover SUVs. The demands on tyres for SUVs are varied and challenging, as they need to be able to take on all road types and all-weather conditions, such as arid dryness, rainy spells and challenging snow. Yokohama states that the new tyre recognises this demand for versatility and practicality in its development of the “innovative” Geolandar CV 4S. Following its launch in October, the Geolandar CV 4S will make its debut in the UK and Europe. Yokohama will roll out the tyre in a range of 32 sizes, for rim sizes between 17” and 20”.
The Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. is supplying its BluEarth AE-01 tyres as original equipment (OE) to Honda Motor Co. Ltd. for use on the automaker’s new mini-vehicle, N-Box, which was launched in Japan in October 2023. The N-Box is being equipped with 155/65R14 75S tyres.
Yokohama will exhibit its electric vehicle-compatible and sustainable technologies at the Japan Mobility Show 2023, (Tokyo Big Sight’s East Hall 2 in Koto-ku, Tokyo, 26 October to 5 November). The manufacturer’s booth has been assembled under the theme, ‘Yokohama: Creating the Tires of the Future’, with a focus on the company’s latest and future tyre technology developments. These will include tyre mounted sensors, as well as the concept aerodynamic Advan A50 fin tyre, and the Japanese premiere of the Advan Sport EV, Yokohama’s newly launched dedicated high performance tyre for electric vehicles.
Gregorio Borgo has stepped down as chief executive officer (CEO) of Yokohama Europe GmbH. Effective 15 October 2023, Giovanni Angelo Ponzoni has been appointed as the new CEO. However, Borgo, who was both president and CEO of Yokohama Europe GmbH until the announcement, will “remain within the Yokohama family as consultant and acting president as of 1 January 2024”. Yokohama also announced the departure of Aleksandar Gramatikov, executive vice-president sales, marketing and supply chain of Yokohama Europe GmbH.
Yokohama Tire has renewed its partnership with the United States Auto Club (USAC) as the official tyre partner and presenting sponsor of the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America and USA for the 2024 season. The renewal means next year’s challenge will be the fourth consecutive season with competitors using Yokohama rubber. Yokohama will supply its Advan A005 racing slicks and Advan A006 rain tyres. The North America series visits seven tracks for its 14 rounds, while the USA West schedule features 12 rounds at six different tracks.
Yokohama has become the official rear tyre supplier for the British Trials and Rally Drivers Association (BTRDA) Sporting Trials series. The manufacturer will supply the G.T. Special Classic Y350 in size 165/80R15 to competitors; Yokohama says the tyre blends “vintage appearance with cutting-edge tyre technologies.” Yokohama calls the series “a unique test of driver control, with entrants having to perfect a challenging mix of momentum, throttle control and choice of driving line.”
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