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Corporate History |
Product History |
1917 |
- On October 13, the Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., was established as a joint venture between Yokohama Electric Cable Manufacturing Company (predecessor of today’s Furukawa Electric Co.) and the United States’ B.F. Goodrich Company. The photo shows Suekichi Nakagawa, a director at Yokohama Electric Cable who was instrumental in Yokohama Rubber’s establishment and later became the company’s second president.
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1920 |
- Construction of the company’s first production facility, the Hiranuma Plant, was completed in Hiranuma-cho, Yokohama. The plant began producing belts, tires and other products using refining processes and belt, hose and tire manufacturing equipment from the U.S.
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- The first corded tire produced by the Hiranuma Plant (circa 1920)
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1921 |
- Entrance to the Hiranuma Plant
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- Development of Japan’s first corded tire, the Hama Town Cord
- Development of a cut-edge flat belt
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1923 |
- The Hiranuma Plant was completely destroyed by the Great Kanto Earthquake
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1929 |
- Construction of the Yokohama Plant completed in Heian-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama
- Founding spirit (as expounded by President Suekichi Nakagawa during speech at opening of Yokohama Plant)
- Production is a social service.
- There must be a basic commitment to delivering quality products unrivaled by those of competitors.
- Management should adhere to the principles of fairness and consideration.
- A company should have as few employees as possible and make the best use of the productivity of machines. This is the great secret for improving efficiency.
- The success or failure of a business depends on how much one is willing to study, and with how much determination, to mutually improve and grow. Accordingly, one must make a great effort.
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Corporate History |
Product History |
1930 |
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- The first tire produced at the Yokohama Plant
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1933 |
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- Launched the flat-resistant Golden Ply Tire. Photo shows a typical tire sales outlet in the 1930s.
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1937 |
- Trademark name changed from Goodrich to Yokohama
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- Launched the Y-Shaped Tire, which represented a leap forward in tire durability
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1938 |
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- Manufactured the tires used on the Grosser Mercedes used as the Imperial vehicle of Emperor Hirohito
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Corporate History |
Product History |
1941 |
- Established Koua Rubber Industry Co., Ltd., in Shanghai, China
- Established Yifeng Rubber Ammunition Factory Co., Ltd, in Tianjin, China
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- Began producing tires for Japan’s Zero fighter planes
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1942 |
- Established rubber plant in Singapore
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1943 |
- Established Mie Plant in Mie Prefecture
- Continued expansion of the Yokohama Plant (photo circa 1943)
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1945 |
- Yokohama Plant rendered inoperative by Allied air raids (photo shows destruction at the plant)
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1946 |
- Established Mishima Plant in Shizuoka Prefecture
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Corporate History |
Product History |
1952 |
- Completed Phase 1 of the Hiratsuka Plant in Kanagawa Prefecture and started production there of belts, large tires, and vinyl products. Closed the Yokohama Plant.
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1954 |
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- Launched the Y-29, Japan’s first snow tire
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1955 |
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- Launched the HAMA SAFETY (photo) and HAMA LINER, Japan’s first tubeless tires
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1957 |
- Head office circa 1957 (Shibatamura-cho, Tokyo; now located at 36-11, Shimbashi 5-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
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1958 |
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- Developed large pneumatic rubber fender (photo)
- Launched HAMATITE® sealant made from a rubber and resin compound
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1959 |
- Signed technology licensing agreement with Taiwan’s Nankang Rubber Tire Corporation
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Corporate History |
Product History |
1961 |
- Completed construction of new corporate headquarters, the Yokohama Rubber Building
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1962 |
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- Created “Smileage Mark”to promote sales of YOKOHAMA brand tires (photo)
- Began production and sales of construction-use sealants
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1963 |
- Japanese company name changed to match the English, The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
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1964 |
- Shinshiro Plant in Aichi Prefecture began operations
- Constructed HAMATITE® (sealings) plant in Nakahara, Hiratsuka-shi
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1965 |
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- Yokohama Rubber’s steel cord conveyor belts adopted by Joban Coal Mining Co., Ltd. (photo)
- Launched sales of commodity conveyor belt Unicon Belt
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1967 |
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- Launched sales of G.T. SPECIAL STEEL, a radial tire for passenger cars (left photo)
- Launched sales of the Surge Series of high-pressure hoses (right photo)
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1968 |
- Completed tire test course at Hiratsuka Factory
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1969 |
- Established Yokohama Tire Corporation as US tire sales company (photo circa 1971)
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Corporate History |
Product History |
1970 |
- Launched sales of automobile windshield sealant
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- Installed German-made equipment for producing a 3.2-meter wide steel cord conveyor belt at the Hiratsuka Factory
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1971 |
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- Launched sales of Japan’s first steel radial tubeless tire, the G.T. SPECIAL STEEL (left photo)
- Developed aluminum honeycomb structural material (right photo)
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1973 |
- Established Yokohama Aeroquip Co. in joint venture with U.S.-based Aeroquip A.G.
- Signed manufacturing technology licensing agreement with South Korea’s Hankook Tire Mfg. Co., Ltd.
- Took equity stake in Ethiopia’s Addis Tyre Co. S.C.
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- Launched sales of all-weather, highly elastic paving material Surfam
- Developed rubber anchor buoy Globuoy (photo)
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1974 |
- Started production of high-pressure hoses at Ibaraki Plant (photo)
- Started production of off-the -road tires at Onomichi Plant
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1975 |
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- Launched sales of G.T. SPECIAL SEALEX, a passenger car tire with automatic puncture-sealing function (photo)
- Launched sales of Japan’s first truck/bus radial steel tires with an aramid-fiber carcass
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1976 |
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- Rally cars equipped with G.T. SPECIAL tires won the Safari Rally Championship and the Southern Cross Rally. The Southern Cross victory marked the fifth year in a row (1972-76) a G.T. SPECIAL‒equipped car won the rally (photo shows Southern Cross Rally driver Andrew Corwann).
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1977 |
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- Developed the Y-801 and Y-802 racing tires for touring cars (Y-801 for dry conditions, Y-802 for wet conditions; photo shows G.T. SPECIAL Sunny that used both tires)
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1978 |
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- Launched sales of ADVAN HF for passenger cars
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Corporate History |
Product History |
1980 |
- Signed technology licensing agreement with Indonesia’s P.T. Gajah Tunggal
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- Launched sales of two new passenger car tires, ASPEC AX-323 (left photo) and G.T. SPECIAL GRAND PRIX (right photo)
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1981 |
- The BF Goodrich Company sold its majority share in Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., to Japanese companies
- Consolidated Australian tire sales companies into new subsidiary Yokohama Tyre Australia Pty. Ltd.
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- Developed lavatory module for Boeing 757
- Developed water tank for Boeing 757 and 737
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1982 |
- Signed technical assistance agreement with Taiwan’s SC Kingflex Corporation
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- Launched sales of ASPEC AX-323 for passenger cars
- Launched sales of GRAND PRIX GX-501 for passenger cars
- The ADVAN March racing car (photo) won the second race of the All Japan F2 Championship, the car’s first victory
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1983 |
- Signed technology licensing agreement with Ceat Tyres of India Limited
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- Began use of the Performance Y mark
- Became the exclusive supplier of official tires for the 1st Macao F3 Grand Prix
- Launched sales of the PRGR (ProGear) golf equipment. Photo shows a PRGR carbon driver.
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1984 |
- Established Yokohama Tire (Canada) Inc. as Canadian tire sales company
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- Launched sales of GUARDEX, a studless tire for passenger cars
- Launched sales of GETTAR, Japan’s first radial tire for motorcycles (photo)
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1985 |
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- Launched sales of INTECH 60 (SX705) for passenger cars
- Launched sales of TY715, a tubeless tire for trucks and buses
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1986 |
- Built the D-PARC comprehensive tire proving ground in Ibaraki Prefecture (photo)
- Took equity stake in South Korea’s Hankook Tire Mfg. Co., Ltd.
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- Launched sales of GRAND PRIX Europe M3 for passenger cars
- Launched sales of SCIENCE 2070 for passenger cars
- Launched sales of PRGR Driver μ-240 (photo)
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1987 |
- Signed technical and management support agreement with Taiwan’s Nankang Rubber Tire Corporation
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- Launched sales of CRITERIA (CX603) for passenger cars
- ADVAN Porsche (photo) equipped with ADVAN racing tires won the Japan Endurance Championship series for the third consecutive year.
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1988 |
- Established GTY Tire Company in the U.S. in a joint venture with U.S. company General Tire and Toyo Tire and Rubber Co., Ltd.
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- Launched sales of ADVAN GLOBA, a passenger car tire with an asymmetric tread pattern
- Launched sales of RY038, a truck/bus tire based on the STEM theory
- Launched sales of the long golf iron INTEST LX (nicknamed “Tarako”) (photo)
- Launched sales of the PRGR M30 ladies’ golf clubs
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1989 |
- Established the T*Mary winter tire test course in Takasu-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido
- Established YH America Inc. in the U.S. to assemble automotive hydraulic pressure hoses
- Established Yokohama Reifen GmbH as a tire sales company in Germany
- Acquired U.S. tire maker The Mohawk Rubber Company (photo)
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- High-performance passenger car tire A008P receives technical certification from Porsche (left photo)
- Launched sales of A.V.S-T30, a high-performance passenger tire (right photo)
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Corporate History |
Product History |
1990 |
- Took equity stake in Taiwan’s SC Kingflex Corporation
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- Launched sales of SY101, a studless tire for trucks and buses (photo)
- Passenger car tire ADVAN A022 H1 adopted as original equipment on Japan models of Honda NSX
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1991 |
- Completion of an R&D integrated center (RADIC) at the Hiratsuka Factory
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- Launched sales of ASPEC AX-327, a passenger car tire
- Launched sales of Flex Line, a cylindrical conveyor belt that prevent scattering of the transported object (photo)
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1992 |
- Formulated the company’s basic philosophy, “To enrich people’s lives and contribute to their greater happiness and well-being by devoting our wholehearted energies and advanced technology to creation of beneficial products”, and an accompanying corporate slogan, “Excellence by nature”
- U.S. subsidiary Yokohama Tire Corporation absorbs Mohawk Rubber Company, also a U.S. subsidiary, and Mohawk Rubber’s non-tire business is spun off into new subsidiary SAS Rubber Company.
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- Launched sales of ADVAN NEXUS, a passenger car tire
- Launched sales of STEM RY 208 tire for trucks and buses
- Launched sales of high-performance bicycle ASCLE MS-011 (photo)
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1993 |
- Formulated Environmental Action Plan targeting elimination of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions
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- Launched sales of GUARDEX K2, a studless tire for passenger cars (photo)
- Launched sales of A.V.S VS-5, an aluminum wheel for passenger cars
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1994 |
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- Launched sales of A.V.S EXCELEAD, a passenger car tire
- Developed components for H-II rocket engines (left photo)
- Launched sales of a PRGR Driver DATA Wood Reverse Titanium (nickname: Black Titanium) (right photo)
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1995 |
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- Launched sales of ADVAN NEOVA, a passenger car tire (photo)
- Launched sales of seismic isolation layered rubber bearings
- Launched sales of a PRGR Driver DATA Wood Reverse SD Titanium (nickname: Red Titanium)
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1996 |
- Established Yokohama Tire Philippines Inc. as tire manufacturing/sales subsidiary
- Acquired all shares of Yokohama Aeroquip Co. and changed corporate name to Yokohama Hydex Co.
- Established Yokohama Rubber (Thailand) Co., Ltd., to manufacture automotive sealants and assemble high-pressure hoses
- Established Yokohama Tire Taiwan Co., Ltd., as a tire sales subsidiary
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- Launched sales of GEOLANDAR A/T tire for recreational vehicles (left photo)
- Launched sales of AVID S306 for passenger cars
- Launched sales of PRGR Driver DATA Wood Reverse Type 252 (nickname: Silver Titanium) (right photo)
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1997 |
- Established Yokohama Tire Vietnam Company as tire manufacturing/sales subsidiary
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- Started “inch up” campaign to promote tire sales in Japan
- Began sales of base isolation devices for buildings
- Delivered water tanks for Boeing 777(left photo)
- Launched sales of ROCK UNICON conveyor belt (right photo)
- Launched sales of PRGR Driving Spoon ZOOM F
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1998 |
- Opening ceremony for Yokohama Tire Philippines Inc. (photo)
- YH America begins manufacturing/sales of windshield sealants
- Environment Action Plan revised with view to strengthening environmental activities
- Mishima Plant becomes first Yokohama Rubber’s plant in Japan to receive ISO 14001 certification
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- Launched sales of ES01 and ES02 as first offerings of new fuel-efficient DNA series of passenger car tires (photo)
- Launched sales of GEOLANDAR I/T for SUVs
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1999 |
- All Yokohama Rubber plants in Japan receive ISO 14001 certification
- Hiratsuka Factory introduces cogeneration system as part of efforts to reduce energy consumption (photo)
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- Launched sales of DNA GP for sports cars (photo)
- Launched sales of GUARDEX K2 F720, a studless tire for passenger cars
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Corporate History |
Product History |
2000 |
- Issued first environmental report (currently titled “Eco Report”)
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- Launched sales of AVS Sport, a high-performance tire for passenger cars (left photo)
- Launched sales of DNA dB, a fuel-efficient tire for passenger cars
- Launched sales of GUARDEX K2 F721, a studless tire for passenger cars (right photo)
- Team TAISON, running on ADVAN racing tires, won its class race at the 24 Hour Le Mans race
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2001 |
- Entered into an alliance with Germany’s Continental AG (photo from joint press conference in 2002)
- Established Hangzhou Yokohama Tire Co., Ltd. as tire manufacturing/sales company in China
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- Launched sales of DNA ECOS, a fuel-efficient tire for passenger cars (left photo)
- AVS Sport tire received technical certification for use on the Aston Martin Vanquish
- Launched sales of PRGR Driver Speed Titanium TR (right photo)
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2002 |
- Formulated long-term vision, Grand Design (GD) 10 (photo shows the GD symbol mark)
- Established Shinshiro-minami Plant in Aichi Prefecture
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- Launched DNA map-RV for one-box-type vans and DNA map-i for wagon-type vans
- Launched DNA dB EURO for luxury import passenger cars
- Launched ice GUARD iG10, a studless tire for passenger cars (photo)
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2003 |
- Opening ceremony for Hangzhou Yokohama Tire Co., Ltd. (photo)
- Established N.V. Yokohama Belgium S.A. as tire sales company
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- Developed HiTES, a tire-pressure monitoring system for truck/bus tires
- Launched sales of Ecotex, an energy efficient conveyor belt
- Yokohama Rubber’s pneumatic rubber fender receives ISO certification (photo)
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2004 |
- Established Yokohama Tire Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd., as a tire manufacturing/sales company
- Established Yokohama Hamatite (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd., to manufacture and distribute automotive sealants in China
- Established Yokohama Hoses & Coupling (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd, to assemble high-pressure hoses in China
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- Developed AIR watch, a pressure monitoring system for passenger car tires
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2005 |
- Established Yokohama Tire Korea Co., Ltd., as a tire sales company
- Established Yokohama Russia L.L.C. as a tire sales company
- Established Yokohama Europe GmbH as a tire marketing company in Germany
- Established Yokohama Rubber (China) Co., Ltd., to oversee group business operations in China
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- Established ADVAN as the global flagship brand and launched worldwide sales of ADVAN Sport V103 (photo)
- Launched sales of DNA S. drive for sports cars
- ADVAN Sport V103S selected as original equipment for the Porsche 911 Carrera 4
- Began free recycling of recycling system for e-can containers for construction sealant
- Launched sales of PRGR Driver T3 model 105
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2006 |
- Announced new medium-term management plan, Grand Design (GD) 100 (symbol mark shown below)
- Established Yokohama Tire Sales (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., as tire sales company
- Established Shandong Yokohama Rubber Industrial Products Co., Ltd., to manufacture and sell conveyor belts in China.
- Established Suzhou Yokohama Tire Co., Ltd., as a tire manufacturing/sales subsidiary in China
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- Launched sales of GEOLANDAR A/T-S for SUVs
- Became official tire supplier for the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) (photo)
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2007 |
- Established Yokohama India Pvt. Ltd.
- Started the Yokohama Forever Forest tree-planting project. First tree-planting ceremony was held at the Hiratsuka Factory (photo)
- Held the first Global Environment Council, attended by YRC production facility managers from around the world
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- Launched sales of ADVAN Sport Z.P.S, a runflat tire for passenger cars
- Launched sales of DNA dB super E-spec, featuring an 80% non-petrochemical material composition (left photo)
- Launched sales of ZEN 102ZE, a fuel efficient, low maintenance tire for trucks and buses (right photo)
- Launched sales of the PRGR egg iron
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2008 |
- Established Yokohama Asia Co., Ltd., as a tire marketing company in Thailand
- Established Y.T. Rubber Co., Ltd., a natural rubber processing company in Thailand (photo)
- Established Yokohama Rubber Latin America Comercio Ltda. as a tire marketing company in Brazil
- Established LLC Yokohama R.P.Z. as a tire manufacturing/sales company in Russia
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- Launched sales of DNA Earth-1 for passenger cars
- Launched sales of ice GUARD TRIPLE, a studless tire for passenger cars (left photo)
- Launched sales of PRGR egg SPOON fairway wood
- Launched sales of PRGR ZOOM X,, a utility club (right photo)
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2009 |
- Start of GD100 Phase II
- Established the Tire Test Center of Asia in Thailand (photo)
- Established Yokohama Industrial Products Europe, GmbH, as an industrial products marketing company in Germany
- Established Yokohama Tire Japan Co., Ltd., with merger of domestic tire sales companies
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- Launched sales of ADVAN NEOVA AD08 for passenger cars (left photo)
- Developed AIRTEX Advanced liner, enabling lighter weight tires (right photo)
- Launched sales of PRGR Driver egg Impact PX-01
- Launched sales of Y-coat, a coating material used in household appliances and electronic devices
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Corporate History |
Product History |
2010 |
- Began including labels indicating tire rolling-resistance and other performance indicators, in line with Japan’s introduction of new labeling system for fuel-efficient tires
- Established Yokohama Industrial Products Japan Co., Ltd., upon merger of domestic industrial products sales companies
- Formulated Guidelines for the Preservation of Biodiversity
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- Launched sales of BluEarth AE-01, first offering in the BluEarth series of fuel-efficient passenger car tires (photo)
- Launched sales of PRGR Driver iD 455
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2011 |
- Established Yokohama Industrial Products Sales – Shanghai Co., Ltd., as a sales company for industrial products in China
- Announced the construction of a hydraulic hose plant in China
- Established Yokohama Peer Support Co., Ltd., as a company promoting employment of disabled individuals.
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- Launched sales of BluEarth-1 AAA spec, a fuel-efficient tire for passenger cars
- Launched sales of ZEN 903ZW, a studless tire for trucks and buses
- Electric car equipped with BluEarth tires wins Pike’s Peak Hill Climb in U.S. in record time (photo)
- Launched sales of PRGR eggbird Driver
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2012 |
- Start of GD100 Phase III
- Signed the United Nations Global Compact
- Received integrated ISO 14001 certification for all divisions of Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
- Held Yokohama Forever Forest Project tree-planting event in Iwate Prefecture, in an area devastated by the 2011 Great East Japan Earhtquake and subsequent tsunami (photo)
- Held opening ceremony at LLC Yokohama R.P.Z. in Russia
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- Launched sales of BluEarth-A, fuel-efficient tire for passenger cars
- Launched sales of GEOLANDAR SUV tire (left photo)
- Launched sales of ice GUARD 5, studless tire for passenger cars (right photo)
- Launched sales of PRGR iD nabla X Driver
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2013 |
- Established Yokohama Industrial Products Asia-Pacific as an industrial products sales company in Singapore
- Established Yokohama Tire Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V. as a tire sales company in Mexico
- Established Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi LLC as a tire manufacturing/sales company (photo shows scene from groundbreaking ceremony)
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- Launched sales of ADVAN V105 as our global flagship tire (left photo)
- Developed the AERO-Y electronic vehicle concept car
- Launched sales of a 49-inch large radial tire for construction and mining vehicles
- ADVAN V105 MO selected as original equipment for Mercedes-Benz S Class models
- Launched sales of PRGR iD nabla RED Driver (right photo)
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2014 |
- Signed master technological alliance agreement with South Korea’s Kumho Tire Co. Inc. (photo of signing ceremony)
- Established Yokohama Industries Americas Inc. upon merger of YH America Inc. and SAS Rubber Company
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- Launched sales of BluEarth AE-01F, a fuel-efficient tire for passenger cars (left photo)
- ADVAN Sport V105 N-0 receives technical certification for use on Porsche Panamera
- Launched sales of PRGR egg1 Driver
- Launched sales of BluEarth LT152R, fuel-efficient tire for light trucks and buses (right photo)
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