Yokohama to Boost Annual Capacity in Russia

Yokohama Rubber Co. said it plans to invest 500 million yen to increase the annual production capacity of Yokohama R.P.Z., a Russian subsidiary for manufacturing and selling tires, from the current 1.4 million units to 1.6 million tires.

Yokohama sells 3 million tires in Russia each year – more than twice that of its local production capacity. The investment, which will add capacity to the existing plant, is aimed at resolving this gap as much as possible and promoting “local production for local consumption,” according to the tiremaker.

Full production of the expanded capacity is slated to begin in fall 2014. Yokohama added that while it currently is selling these tires in Russia, it also plans to export some products to Europe in the future.