TOKYO (May 22)—Toyota Motor Corp. is negotiating with Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. and Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd. to make tires for it using a new manufacturing process the car maker has funded. Toyota does not intend to make tires itself, nor will the company seek to have Toyota-brand tires made for it, according to informal comments Toyota President Fujio Cho made to reporters attending a recent company reception. Toyota has funded development for the past two years of the new process that originally came from Fuji Seiko Co., a maker of tire materials. Cho indicated the new technology involves building the tire in its final, inflated shape by assembling it around a core, before sending it to the curing process. In the traditional method, tires are built flat.
Toyota seeking taker for new tire technology
Letter
to the
Editor
Rubber News wants to hear from its readers. If you want to express your opinion on a story or issue, email your letter to Editor Bruce Meyer at [email protected].