Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (TYO:5101) has started supplying its Geolandar SUV and Geolandar G033 tires as OE for the new Delica D5 minivan from Mitsubishi Motors Corp. (TYO:7211), which launched in Japan on Feb. 15. The new Delica D5 is available as either a standard model or the Delica D5 Urban Gear model, which incorporates new modern elements. The standard...
Tires
Yokohama Rubber Subsidiary Expands Japanese Lineup of Agricultural Machinery Tires
The Alliance Tire Group (ATG), a subsidiary of Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (TYO:5101), is looking to expand its lineup in the Japanese market for the agricultural machinery tires that it manufactures and sells under the Alliance brand. The group has begun offering a number of new tire sizes to this end. Coming as new products here are seven sizes of...
Toyo Tires and Mitsubishi Launch Efforts to Draw Out Synergy
Toyo Tire Corp. (TYO:5105) and Mitsubishi Corp. (TYO:8058) have gotten started with efforts aimed at drawing out synergy between their two companies. This follows the pair having agreed to an increased capital partnership late last year. Looking to bring about synergy between their companies at an early stage, Toyo Tires and Mitsubishi have started up seven collaborative task forces relating...
Michelin Japan to Launch New Truck and Bus Tire
Nihon Michelin Tire Co. Ltd. is set to launch the Michelin X Multi D+, a new tire made specifically for use with truck and bus driveshafts. The tire will be available in two sizes, with the 295/80R22.5 version launching on March 1 and the 11R22.5 slated for launch on May 1. Prices have been left to the discretion of distributors....
Major Tire Companies Plan Production Increases for 2019 While Projecting Rising Sales, Falling Profits
Japan’s four major tire manufacturers have now posted their earnings forecasts for calendar 2019, with the general trend of expectations here pointing to increased sales and decreased profits. And amid this, all four of the companies are planning increases to their production capacity. While a number of factors make 2019 a difficult year to predict – including the U.S.–China trade...
Bridgestone Supplies Tires for Audi’s First EV
Bridgestone Corp. (TYO:5108) recently announced that it is supplying six different tires ranging 19–21 inches for the E-Tron SUV, a new electric vehicle (EV) that launched this January under the Audi Group. Hitting the market as Audi’s first EV, the E-Tron utilizes two electric motors to make for major improvements to both acceleration and noise levels. Bridgestone’s tires then help...