Yokohama Tire Corporation Broadens its Global Environmental Efforts

Tire maker's "Green Initiative" includes citrus-oil-based tires, support of environmentally friendly vehicles such as the all-electric Tesla Roadster, low rolling resistance truck tires, zero-emissions plants and better ways of recycling - SEMA BOOTH #40709

Media Contacts: Bill Groak, PCGCampbell, 310/224-4940, Cell: 310/849-3676; bgroak@pcgcampbell.com
Michael F. Hollander, PCGCampbell, 310/224-4981, Cell: 310/963-1656; mhollander@pcgcampbell.com

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Oct. 30, 2007) - U.S.-based Yokohama Tire Corporation (YTC) is joining with its Japanese parent, Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (YRC), to utilize its strength in technologies to protect the environment. This environmental mandate, part of the company's "Grand Design 100" plan, is designed to have Yokohama harmonize its company-wide operations in everything from manufacturing to product design.

"Consistent with our global initiative, YTC has developed 'The Green Initiative' to cover our U.S. operations and reduce the company's environmental impact in every way possible," said Jim MacMaster, Yokohama executive vice president, Business Division.

"Highlighting our efforts will be tires that exemplify environmental virtues," said Norio Karashima, Yokohama Tire Corporation CEO and president. He added that Yokohama's manufacturing plants around the world will aim for zero-waste output. "We'll work to reuse or otherwise recycle all waste and will introduce cogeneration systems to raise all resource efficiency. We'll work in all our operations to reduce waste and the output of carbon dioxide. Globally, this is our moral obligation."

Yokohama currently has a zero-emissions plant in Shinshiro, Japan and will expand this approach to other facilities around the world.

Yokohama's environmentally friendly tires include the Super E-Spec™, an all-new consumer passenger tire. YRC has developed a process that combines citrus oil with natural rubber to form a new compound called "Super Nano Power Rubber (SNPR)." It reduces the proportion of petroleum products in tires.

MacMaster said the fuel-saving E-Spec tire features an air permeation suppression film. "This new polymer inner lining is designed to reduce air from seeping out from the tire, which helps maintain appropriate inflation levels. Under-inflated tires consume more power, thus using more fuel. The E-Spec is also a lot lighter and conserves gasoline by reducing rolling resistance by 18 percent. Low rolling resistance tires improve fuel efficiency by minimizing the energy wasted (as heat) as the tire rolls down the road."

One of the initial Green Initiative items for YTC has been its partnership with Tesla Motors, which has Yokohama's ultra-high-performance ADVAN Neova AD07® tires as standard equipment on its all-electric, 135 mph Tesla Roadster.

"Using Yokohama's ADVAN tires on the Tesla Roadster was an easy decision," said Martin Eberhard, CEO and co-founder of Tesla Motors. "We did a lot of homework and found ADVANs are the only tires on the market that combine high-performance capability with low rolling resistance, making them a perfect pro-environment complement for our electric sports car."

According to MacMaster, "We're gratified that Tesla investigated an array of options and ultimately decided to collaborate with Yokohama. The all-electric Roadster is certainly in line with our corporate mandate to create a sustainable business that aspires to have zero adverse affect on the environment. It's a way of thinking, an environmental responsibility that all of our employees should possess."

Looking to protect the environment even further, Yokohama is producing truck tires that will last longer and be more fuel efficient. It recently launched the 703ZL™ commercial tire. The 703ZL is part of Yokohama's Z.environment™ line, which makes tires that cause less of an environmental impact.

"The Z.environment tire line incorporates optimum tread designs, compounds and casing design to create a tire that has longer first tread life, longer casing life and low rolling resistance," said John Cooney, Yokohama's director of commercial sales. "These features result in reduced material consumption, reduced pollution and contribute to the health of our environment."

Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., a global producer and distributor of premium tires since 1917. Servicing a network of more than 4,500 points of sale in the U.S., Yokohama Tire Corporation offers a complete line of tires, including high-performance, light truck, passenger car, commercial truck and bus, as well as off-the-road mining and construction applications. For more information on Yokohama's extensive product line, visit www.yokohamatire.com. For details on Yokohama's environmental efforts, go to www.ecotreadsetters.com.

Yokohama is a strong supporter of the tire care and safety guidelines established by the Rubber Manufacturers Association and the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration. Details can be found at the "Taking Care of Your Tires" section at www.yokohamatire.com.