Yokohama Tire Corporation's Eco-Friendly dB Super E-specTM Tire Win's Popular Mechanic's Editor's Choice Awards at SEMA First tire with new 'Super Nano-Power Rubber' features citrus oil
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Bill Groak, PCGCampbell, 310/224-4940,
bgroak@pcgcampbell.com
LAS VEGAS, NV (Nov. 6, 2008) - Yokohama Tire Corporation's dB Super E-specTM, an all-new consumer passenger tire which uses citrus oil instead of petroleum, has earned one of Popular Mechanics Editor's Choice Awards at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
The award, one of 14 given out, went to companies "in recognition of outstanding achievement in new product and design." Popular Mechanics editors combed the thousand of new products on display at both the SEMA and AAPEX shows to find the winners.
Jim Meigs, Popular Mechanics' editor-in-chief, pointed to the dB Super E-spec's low rolling resistance and use of natural materials as reasons why it was chosen.
"Yokohama Tire Corporation is using technology to make better tires for consumers and the environment," said Fred Koplin. "Popular Mechanics has a long history of recognizing companies for their technology and product innovations. We're honored they selected the dB Super E-spec. It's great that Yokohama, which has a heritage for high-performance, is now being recognized for our environmental and technical achievements as well."
The dB Super E-spec 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 and is part of Yokohama's environmental initiative. The first SNPR product is the dB Super E-spec and will be available in the U.S. in 2009.
"The dB Super E-spec is also much lighter and conserves gasoline by reducing rolling resistance by up to 20 percent," said Jim MacMaster, Yokohama executive vice president, Business Division. "Low rolling resistance tires improve fuel efficiency by minimizing the energy wasted (as heat) as the tire rolls down the road."
MacMaster said the dB Super E-Spec will be available in four sizes: 195/55R16 86V for Toyota Prius; 185/65R15 88H for Toyota Prius; 195/65R15 91H for Honda Civic Hybrid/Civic GX NGV; and 215/60R16 95V for both the Toyota Camry Hybrid and Honda Accord Hybrid.
Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based The 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.
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