1969

The Yokohama Tires Co., Ltd., based in Tokyo, Japan, and founded in 1917, enters the U.S. market by opening an office in Los Angeles, CA.
Yokohama Tire Corporation is founded.

1972
Yokohama introduces G.T. Special Products in the U.S.

1981
Yokohama’s DOT-approved A001R tire revolutionizes auto crossing in the U.S.

1982
Yokohama introduces the A008 asymmetric tread pattern to the U.S. market.

1986
Yokohama outgrows its Montebello facility and moves to Fullerton, CA.
Yokohama wins the grueling 12 Hours of Sebring with Akin Porsche 962.

1988
In two years, Yokohama doubles the size of its Fullerton warehouse to 450,000 square feet.
Yokohama enters into a heavy truck tire manufacturing joint venture with General Tire and Toyo Tire. The company, GTY Tire, is located in Mt. Vernon, IL.

1989
Yokohama acquires the Mohawk Rubber Company, providing an essential manufacturing facility in the U.S.

1990
Yokohama becomes the Official Tire of the Jim Russell Racing Driving School.

1992
Yokohama and the Mohawk Rubber Company merge. This venture gives Yokohama the ability to produce automobile and light truck tires for sale in both the OEM and replacement markets in the U.S.
Yokohama completes its $80 million first phase expansion at the Salem, VA plant.
The Salem plant produces 70 percent of the passenger tires Yokohama sells in the U.S.

1994
Yokohama racing slicks win IMSA endurance events:

Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona
12 Hours of Sebring
24 Hours of Le Mans, GTS Class

1995

Yokohama celebrates its 25th anniversary of operation in the U.S.
Yokohama opens a new distribution center in Suwanee, GA.

1996

Yokohama’s innovative motorsports tradition continues with the introduction of the DOT-approved A032R.
Yokohama motorsports activity expands as the company enters the International Motorsports Association WSC class.
Yokohama becomes the spec tire for IMSA Slick 50 Pro-Series.
Yokohama introduces the Guardex 600™ snow tire in 60- and 65-series sizes.
A new pinnacle of all-season performance is reached by Yokohama’s new AVS S4® ultra-high-performance tire.
Yokohama introduces the GEOLANDAR H/T®, available in a wide range of sizes for SUVs and light trucks.

1997
Yokohama introduces GEOLANDAR A/T®, an all-terrain light truck/SUV tire.
AVS S1® and AVID® lines are introduced.
Yokohama creates commercial/consumer divisions to better serve customer needs.

1998
Yokohama introduces the A520® and GEOLANDAR M/T® Directional.

1999
Yokohama reaffirms its dedication to taking technology from the race track to the street with the introduction of the AVS Sport® ultra-high-performance tire, Yokohama’s street version of their race-winning Toyota Atlantic racing rain tire.

2000
To fill the growing demand for its products, Yokohama opens a new tire distribution center in Auburn, GA.
New tires introduced: AVS dB® – the all-season, ultra-high-performance tire that does not sacrifice handling or grip; and PARADA®. Offering a radical footprint and highly responsive control, PARADA delivers great performance and good looks.

2001

Yokohama expands tire offering with two more new tires: GEOLANDAR A/T +II® – SUV and light truck performance technology in an aggressive, good-looking package; and PARADA Spec-2® – bigger, badder, and better than its predecessor, the 19″ sizes make Plus fitments a reality for the tuner/performance crowd.

2002

Yokohama continues to build its performance leader status by adding two performance-oriented products: AVS ES100® – a cutting-edge trendline that highlights new generation ultra-high performers and GEOLANDAR H/T-S® – one tire and three new performance applications make it a leader in SUV/light truck tire technology.

2003

Yokohama becomes the Official Tire of Infineon Raceway.

2005

Yokohama introduces its ADVAN® line of ultra-high-performance tires in the U.S.
Yokohama racing tires win the 24 Hours of Le Mans (GT2 Class), leading 22 hours.
Yokohama becomes the Official Tire of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Yokohama joins Ford Motor Company Around the Wheel Program as an authorized replacement tire supplier.

2006

Yokohama opens a new Distribution Center in Groveport, OH, to serve the Northeast region of the U.S.
Yokohama becomes the Official Tire of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
Yokohama becomes the Official Tire of the L.A. Auto Show.
Yokohama is the Official Tire of the Champ Car Atlantic Championship for the 18th season.
Yokohama introduces the Parada Spec-X® tire, specifically designed for inch-up fitments for trucks, SUVs, and as high-performance replacements for the latest crossovers.
Yokohama introduces S.drive® and GEOLANDAR A/T-S® tires.
Yokohama’s ADVAN Sport® (V103S) tire is approved by Audi AG as an original equipment tire for the new S8 that is on sale in the U.S. as a 2007 model.
Yokohama’s ADVAN Neova® tires are chosen as OE on the 135 mph all-electric Tesla Roadster.

2007

AVID W4s™ tire debuts.
Yokohama announces environmentally-friendly dB Super E-spec™ concept tire in Japan made with orange oil, reducing the proportion of petroleum products in tires. The dB Super E-spec incorporates a new, patented Advanced Inner Liner, designed to reduce air from seeping out and maintain proper tire inflation.
Yokohama launches a new Zenvironment® line, which uses high-technology to produce tires that are more fuel-efficient and help protect the environment. The first tire launched: 703ZL™, an ultra-long mileage commercial truck tire that has the deepest tread and lowest rolling resistance in its category.
Norio Karashima, president and CEO, Yokohama Tire Corporation (YTC) and
President of Yokohama Corporation of America is promoted to managing corporate officer of The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
Yokohama was chosen as OE on 2008 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans.
Yokohama’s Salem, VA, tire plant certified to the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System standard.
Yokohama joins Volvo’s Tire Program as an authorized replacement tire supplier.
Yokohama announced a new partnership with Mopar and its tire works program. Yokohama’s full line of consumer tires will be available at more than 3,700 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep dealers across the U.S.
Yokohama celebrates 20 years of sponsoring the Porsche Parade.
Yokohama sponsors three NFL teams (Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons, and Baltimore Ravens), two college football teams (UCLA Bruins and USC Trojans) and two minor league baseball teams (Triple-A Columbus Clippers and the Double-A Reading Phillies)
Mercedes-Benz A.G. selects Yokohama’s ADVAN Sport ultra-high-performance tires as original equipment on its CL63 AMG, CL65 AMG, and ML63 AMG models.
Jim MacMaster, YTC executive vice president, Business Division, elected chairman of Rubber Manufacturers Association.
Yokohama launches winter tires W.drive™, ice guard iG20™ and GEOLANDAR I/T G072™.
The first ADVAN Premium Service Center in the United States is dedicated to the Tire Man in Thousand Oaks, CA.

2008

Yokohama launches two new commercial tires in its Environment line, which uses high-technology to produce tires that are more fuel-efficient and help protect the environment. These tires are the 501ZA™ and 103ZR™.
Yokohama sponsors three NBA teams: San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, and Boston Celtics.
Yokohama was chosen as OE on 2008 Mitsubishi Evo.
Yokohama Off-The-Road Division offers size expansions for two of its earthmover tires: RT41™ and RB31™. The RT41 is available in 29.5R25 and 23.5R25. The RB31 is now available in 26.5R25 and 29.5R25.
Takao Oishi named president and CEO of YTC. Effective June 27, 2008, promoted to corporate officer of The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
Yokohama ADVAN becomes the Official Tire of Speed Racer movie.
Yokohama sponsors two minor league baseball teams (Triple-A Scranton Yankees and Memphis Redbirds).
Yokohama becomes the Official Tire of Sebring International Raceway and Road Atlanta.
Yokohama introduces the AVID Touring-S™ tire.
Yokohama introduces two environmentally-friendly tires that use orange oil – a U.S. version of the dB Super E-spec™ and an experimental Eco Race Tire.
Yokohama debuts ADVAN Neova® AD08 tire.
dB Super E-spec wins Popular Mechanics Editor’s Choice Award at SEMA.
Reigning world champion Boston Celtics and former champion San Antonio Spurs announced as Yokohama marketing partners for the 2008-’09 NBA season.

2009

Jim MacMaster named executive vice president and COO of YTC.
Three commercial truck tires, the 703ZL™, RY617TM, and RY587MC2TM, receive the Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay verification for their ability to reduce transportation-related emissions.
The 103ZR earns a Heavy Duty Trucking 2008 “Nifty Fifty” award for its capability as a fuel-efficient, long-lasting commercial truck tire.
Consumers Digest names Geolandar H/T-S® a “2009 Best Buy” for two SUV/Truck categories – All-Season and Performance.
The orange oil-infused ADVAN® ENV-R1™ launches as the Official Spec Tire for the 2009 Patrón GT3 Challenge by Yokohama race series. The ENV-R1 is the first eco-friendly tire to be used in series-wide competition and reduces petroleum inputs by approximately 10 percent.
Yokohama again joins long-standing racing partner Team PTG Racing in supplying ADVAN A005® slicks for their Panoz Esperante American Le Mans Series entrant.
Yokohama-sponsored off-road champion Heidi Steele named Dirt Sports Driver of the Year.
Yokohama “Forever Forest” holds its first tree-planting ceremony outside of Asia at its Salem, VA plant. Forever Forest is a global initiative that aims to plant approximately 500,000 trees around Yokohama’s facilities worldwide by 2017.
Yokohama named EPA SmartWay® Partner in the “shippers” category.
ADVAN Neova® AD08 and dB Super E-spec™ officially go on sale.
Takao Oishi, Yokohama president & CEO promoted to a corporate officer, as well as president of Yokohama Corporation of America and president of Yokohama Corporation of North America.
ADVAN Sport ZPS® (Zero Pressure System) run-flat tire goes on sale.
Yokohama (Dan Guiney) appointed to the Tire Society Board.
For the third consecutive year, Yokohama sponsors two NFL teams (Cleveland Browns, and Baltimore Ravens) and two college football teams (UCLA Bruins and USC Trojans).
Yokohama named the Official Tire Supplier on the Jaguar XKR GT2 in the American
Le Mans Series, by RSR.
Yokohama celebrates its 40th anniversary of operation in the U.S.
AVID® ENVigor™ debuts at LA Auto Show.
Yokohama earns OE fitments on 2010 Toyota Prius and 2010 Toyota 4Runner
Yokohama-sponsored off-road racers Heidi and Cameron Steele win back-to-back championships. Heidi wins the SCORE title in Class 6; Cameron the SNORE
(Southern Nevada Off-Road Enthusiasts) championship in the Unlimited Truck division.

2010

Yokohama returns to short-course off-road racing by sponsoring the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series.
AVID ENVigor goes on sale, replacing AVID® H4s™, V4s™, and W4s™.
The orange oil-infused ADVAN® ENV-R2™ debuts at Sebring as the Official Spec
Tire for the 2010 Patrón GT3 Challenge by Yokohama race series and the new GT3 Challenge Class endurance series. The ENV-R2 is the upgraded version of the ADVAN ENV-R1.
YTC signs a two-year sponsorship extension with the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA).
Yokohama returns to SCCA racing as a contingency sponsor.
Yokohama sponsors the NBA’s Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs for the third consecutive year.
Five more Yokohama commercial truck tires (101ZL™, 103ZR™, RY587™, TY577™, and TY517MC2™) were added to the EPA’s SmartWaySM list of verified technologies for tires, bringing the total to eight YTC products that are recognized as SmartWay “low rolling resistance tires.”
Yokohama debuts two new commercial truck tires at the Mid-America Trucking Show: the 101ZL, a premium long-haul steer tire; and the MY627W™ all-position waste/sanitation tire.
Yokohama sponsors the Los Angeles Angels baseball team.
Yokohama’s eco-sensitive “living wall” display at the 2009 LA Auto Show wins an award from Exhibitor magazine.
After 29 years with Yokohama, Jim MacMaster, executive vice president, and COO, retires.
YTC kicks off its series of educational videos called “Yokohama Tire Tips.”
Yokohama sponsors three NFL teams: Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens.
YTC launches an online Fuel Savings Calculator for commercial fleet owners.
Yokohama announces a new ADVANTAGE® Online program for consumer and commercial tire dealers.
AVID ENVigor ties for first place at the Tire Rack testing event.
Yokohama introduces two OTR dump truck tires: the RL42™ and RB42™.
YTC’s Salem plant signs a new four-year contract with the union and begins a $13 million expansion to handle increased tire demand.
Yokohama debuts SmartSolution™ communications program and website for commercial tire dealers.
YTC signs contract extension to sponsor the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance through 2016.
Yokohama named the Official Tire Supplier of West Racing Team’s two Lamborghinis, which will campaign in the 2011 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) GT Class.
EXCEED, an interactive, self-directed website training program for Yokohama dealers, is launched.
Yokohama is a platinum sponsor at the Z Car Convention honoring the 40th
Anniversary of the famed Nissan Z sports car.
Gary Nash, YTC vice president, OTR division, was inducted into the Tire Industry Association (TIA) Hall of Fame.
An electric race vehicle sponsored by Yokohama won the 2010 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in record-breaking time.
Yokohama hosts the “Green Week” and “Forever Forest Fullerton” tree-planting ceremony. To date, around 180,000 trees have been planted worldwide at Yokohama facilities.

2011

YTC announces strategic management promotions that include Dan King to senior vice president of sales and marketing, and Thomas Masuguchi to vice president and controller, John Cooney to the director of export and Rick Phillips to the director of commercial sales.
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. wins the 2011 Environmental Achievement of the Year award at the Tire Technology Expo in Cologne, Germany.
Yokohama’s iPad app – the “Yokohama Tire Explorer” – becomes available to consumers on iTunes.
Yokohama Tire Corporation Wins Silver ADDY® Award for iPad App
Yokohama sponsors the NBA’s Boston Celtics (for the fourth consecutive year) and Houston Rockets for the first time.
YTC launches the SmartWay-verified RY407™ super single wide-base tire at the Mid-America Trucking Show. The prototype 702™ drive tire is also slated for showing.
Yokohama sponsors two Major League Baseball teams: the Los Angeles Angels baseball team (for the second consecutive year) and the Philadelphia Phillies.
YTC named the recipient of the 2011 Presidents’ Business Achievement Award by the Fullerton Chamber of Commerce.
Yokohama rolls out a new TV ad campaign featuring, “Duck, Duck, Goose,” and “X’s and O’s” with high-performance cars.
Yasushi Tanaka becomes YTC’s new president and CEO, succeeding Takao Oishi, who took the helm in April 2008.
Takayuki Hamaya named YTC’s executive vice president & CFO.
Tetsuya Kamata named YTC’s vice president and treasurer.
YTC launches an all-new “customer first” Web site.
YTC opens to enthusiasts its experiential ride and drives in San Diego.
Yokohama’s orange oil tire technology, embodied in the BluEarth®-1 tire, is highlighted in a two-year exhibit at the Museum of Science, Boston.
YTC partners with Infineon Raceway on its first “Accelerating Sustainable Performance” Summit, focusing on how motorsports technology and innovation help drive advances in sustainable transportation.
Yokohama spotlights “BluEarth®,” the new umbrella name for its corporate environmental philosophy alongside its “Living Wall” display at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
YTC’s consumer-driven video series, “Tire Tips,” returns with new segments.
AVID Ascend®, the first YTC BluEarth®-designated tire, makes its North American preview at the LA Auto Show.
Yokohama plants more than 300 seedlings at Fullerton headquarters during Forever Forest Phase II event.
Two Yokohama-sponsored off-road racers, Heidi Steele (SCORE Class 6) and Chad George (Lucas Oil Super Lite) win season championships on Geolandar tires.

2012

The AVID ENVigor® ZPS® (Zero Pressure System) run-flat tire goes on sale.
Yasushi Tanaka, YTC’s president, and CEO, promoted to managing corporate officer of The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
Yokohama partners with Alex Job Racing to campaign an ADVAN A005-shod Lotus Evora in the ALMS GT series.
The all-new orange oil-infused AVID Ascend® goes on sale in the U.S.
YTC signs a three-year sponsorship renewal with IMSA.
Yokohama debuts the 709ZL™ drive tire at the Mid-America Trucking Show.
YTC partners with the NBA’s Houston Rockets for the second consecutive year, and announces a Team Shop Gift Card promotion.
The web-based Yokohama Inflation Pressure Calculator is launched.
YTC debuts the SmartSolution™ Certified Dealer Program.
YTC’s new Mexico web site goes live.
Yokohama launches its online e-STORE featuring YTC-branded merchandise.
Forever Forest Phase III took place at YTC’s Salem, Virginia facility as 2,500 more tree seedlings were planted, raising the total to 6,800.
YTC adds the New York Yankees to its sports marketing roster.
Yokohama honored by OC Metro magazine as a “top green company.”
YTC signs a five-year sponsorship extension with Infineon Raceway.
The NFL’s Chicago Bears become a sports marketing partner with YTC.
Yokohama announces a “Home Team Pride” promotion with baseball’s Los Angeles Angels and Philadelphia Phillies.
The EPA selects Yokohama’s RY617™ steer and all-position commercial tire as the benchmark casing for the SmartWay retread program.
A special in-game promotion puts YTC and the Los Angeles Angels baseball team in the Guinness Book of World Records, as 39,013 fans made history as the “largest gathering of people wearing cowboy hats.” YTC provided the Yokohama-branded hats.
YTC debuts three OTR radial tires at the 2012 MINExpo International trade show in Las Vegas: the RL45™, RB42™, and RL51™.
The Yokohama Commercial Tire Navigator – an iPad app for the trucking tire industry – is launched.
YTC kicks-off its “Home Team Pride” promotion with the NFL’s Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, and New England Patriots.
The Yokohama Tire Explorer v2.0, an updated version of YTC’s award-winning consumer iPad app, is released on iTunes.
Yokohama adds a new member to its winter tire line, the iceGUARD iG51v™, which is available in 13 sizes and developed specifically for light trucks, SUVs and Crossover SUVs.
Takayuki Hamaya is promoted to YTC chief operating officer.
YTC conducts successful “Miles of Fun” social media-driven contest, which focused on the orange oil-infused YK580™ tire (sold exclusively at Discount Tire/America’s Tire Company).

2013

YTC names Irvine, California-based INK as its digital marketing agency of record.
Yokohama’s EPA SmartWay-verified ultra-wide base commercial drive tire, the TY517™, debuts at the Mid-America Trucking Show, along with the RY407™, an ultra wide-base trailer tire.
To better serve dealers geographically, YTC adds a fourth sales zone as part of its Consumer Sales division restructuring, and names Kevin Rogers as an account manager for the new Central Zone.
YTC announces its 2013 professional baseball sports marketing roster: Angels Baseball, New York Yankees, and, for the first time, the Cincinnati Reds. Yokohama’s partnership with the Angels is in its fourth year and second with the Yankees.
Norio Karashima, former president and CEO of YTC, is returning to the company’s Fullerton, California headquarters as an executive advisor and chairman.
Yokohama’s ground-breaking consumer dealer rewards program, the ADVANTAGE Associate Dealer Program, marks its 10-year anniversary.
YTC signs on as a sponsor for the new Stadium Super Truck (SST) series.
Hikomitsu Noji is named CEO of YTC, in addition to being president and representative director of The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., YTC’s parent company in Japan.
Gary Nash named president of a new subsidiary, Yokohama Tire Mexico (YTMX).
YTC announces several promotions in its sales organization, including Fred Koplin to senior director, consumer sales; Rick Phillips to senior director, commercial and OTR sales; Andrew Briggs to the director, marketing communications and product planning; Briggs will continue to oversee motorsports; and Larry Kull to director, tire business planning.
Yokohama signs an agreement to build a commercial truck tire plant in West Point, Mississippi. The facility, which is expected to produce one million tires annually starting in 2015, will have an initial capital investment of $300 million and potential plant expansions could read up to four times the original employment and investment levels.

Basic Information

You’ve got some great Yokohamas. Now, let’s make sure you take great care of them.

As you know, Yokohamas are designed with the latest tire technology that makes them safe and durable in different road conditions, but proper maintenance is also important to ensure you get optimal performance and prevent uneven wear.

To take the best care of your Yokohamas, we recommend:

MAINTAINING PROPERTIRE INFLATION

PERFORMING REGULAR INSPECTIONS

ROTATING AND BALANCING TIRES