Yokohama move is a response to growing Indian automotive market

The Yokohama Rubber Company has announced plans to establish a subsidiary in India. Due to open in New Delhi, January 2007, Yokohama India will start operating as a sales and marketing company for tyres, with plans for future expansion into tyre manufacture and the marketing of automotive hoses and sealants.

In its statement, Yokohama said the new subsidiary signifies the company’s determination to share in the growth of the Indian tyre market. According to Yokohama, sales of new passenger cars in India have increased 61% since 2002, to 1,140,000 vehicles in 2005.

The Indian subsidiary forms part of Yokohama’s strategy for strengthening its presence in Brazil, Russia, India and China. In China, Yokohama has opened a tyre sales company and five production companies (two for tyres, and three for conveyor belts, sealants, and hose assemblies), while in Russia it has established a tyre sales company.