Tokyo – The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., announced today that it will begin European sales of its all-season passenger-car tire “BluEarth-4S AW21” from this autumn. “BluEarth-4S AW21” will be the first YOKOHAMA all-season passenger-car tire to be introduced to the European market. The tire will be available in over 30 sizes, ranging from 255/50R19 107W to 175/65R14 82T. The Company plans to gradually expand the lineup of available tire sizes.

All-season tires are an all-weather type tire that combines the performance of summer and winter tires. These tires are growing in popularity in Europe as tires used under normal driving conditions. As they can be used year round without concern for specific road or seasonal weather conditions, all-season tires provide users with several benefits, such as (1) safe driving during sudden snowfalls, (2) increased convenience and economy because tires do not need to be changed in summer and winter, and (3) the removal of the need for a place to store out-of-season seasonal tires.

The “BluEarth-4S AW21” incorporates YOKOHAMA’s latest winter-tire technologies to provide drivers with outstanding performance on icy and snowy winter roads as well as excellent dry and wet performance under more normal driving conditions. The tire also features a newly developed tread pattern that features an optimal balance of edge area and surface contact area. The use of several advanced technologies, such as Divergent V-grooves and Crossing Narrow Grooves, deliver superior performance on ice, snow and wet road surfaces. In addition to its wide tread width, the tire’s large shoulder blocks and All-season Sipes deliver reliable performance on dry roads as well.

The tire’s use of a silica end-locked polymer compound also enhances its performance on wet and snow-covered roads. In addition, its wide and flat profile contribute to its excellent dry performance and wear resistance. The tire also bears the “Snowflake Mark” awarded by the ASTM International* in recognition of its performance in the most severe cold climates.
* The “Snowflake Mark” is awarded to products that pass official tests conducted　by ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials), the world’s largest standards organization

Yokohama Rubber supplies the European market with a wide lineup of products that fit the specific needs of drivers across the continent’s diverse climates. In addition to summer tires, YOKOHAMA tires available to drivers in Europe include winter tires, studless tires (Nordic friction tires), and studded tires. The “BluEarth-4S AW21”, YOKOHAMA’s first all-season tire to be sold in Europe, further broadens that lineup and is expected to expand the Company’s European sales.