Tokyo-The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., has announced that Yokohama and Michelin brand tires were ranked highest in customer satisfaction in a tie among passenger car and light-van owners replacing their tires, as a result of the inaugural J.D. Power and Associates 2001 Canadian Replacement Tire and Retailer Customer Satisfaction Study (SM) released on January 17, 2002.

The study results indicate that buyers of Yokohama and Michelin tires are more likely than owners of other brands to choose these brands for better quality, and that nine out of 10 Yokohama and Michelin owners will either 'probably' or 'definitely' repurchase these brands. The Yokohama and Michelin brands perform strongest in the areas of situational performance such as emergency handling and traction on wet and snow-covered roads as well as product quality including resistance to blowouts and perceived safety of tires.

In Canada, Yokohama Rubber distributes its tires for passenger cars, light trucks, trucks/buses, and off-road vehicles through Yokohama Tire (Canada) Inc., a local sales subsidiary. Commenting on the study results, Alec Pigulevsky, President of the subsidiary, says, "It is a great honor for us to receive the highest scores in a tie from J.D. Power and Associates, and with Yokohama Rubber's continued development and production of innovative and high end quality products, we will continue to advance Yokohama;s customer service and satisfaction in Canadian market."

Headquartered in California, the USA, J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services firm. The 2001 Canadian Replacement Tire and Retailer Customer Satisfaction Study (SM) is based on responses from more than 4,200 vehicle owners who recently purchased replacement tires for their passenger cars, light vans, trucks and SUVs.