Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • European Rubber Journal
  • Plastics News
  • Tire Business
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • Tire
    • Airless Tires
    • Non-Tire
    • More News
    • Suppliers
    • Silicone
    • Latex
    • Technical Notebooks
    • Opinion
    • Online Exclusive
    • Special Reports
    • Automotive
    • Executive Action
    • Government/Legal
    • Sustainability
    • Blogs
      • Products
      • Wacky World of Rubber
    • Best Places to Work
    • War in Ukraine
    • Rubber Division IEC
    • ITEC
    • Women Breaking the Mold
  • PFAS
  • Custom
    • Sponsored Content
    • White Papers
  • Resources
    • Directory
    • Classifieds & Mold Mart
  • Data
  • Events
    • RN Events
    • RN Livestreams/Webinars
    • Industry Events
    • Past Events
    • Rubber News M&A Live
    • PFAS Live
    • Ask the Expert
    • International Tire Exhibition & Conference (ITEC)
    • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum
  • Advertise
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
July 22, 2016 02:00 AM

Yokohama considering U.S., Mexico for new plant

Stephen Downer
Tire Business correspondent
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    Humberto Gomez, managing director of Yokohama Tire Mexico expects the company to announce the location of its new consumer tire plant by the end of the year.

    MEXICO CITY—Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd is closer to announcing where it will build a new consumer tire plant in North America—either in the U.S. or Mexico.

    “I expect a decision sometime this year,” said Humberto Gomez, managing director of Yokohama Tire Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V.

    Gomez said Yokohama already has decided to increase its production capacity in the North American Free Trade Agreement region.

    “The (vehicle manufacturing) OEMs are the trigger,” he added, referring to a 2006 Yokohama plan to double its original equipment sales globally by 2020.

    Mexico—where a dozen major light vehicle companies either have assembly plants or are in the process of building one—is under consideration for the new plant because it is on target to be assembling 5 million cars a year by the end of the decade. The country is the world's seventh largest auto producer.

    In early 2015, President Gary Nash said Yokohama was studying the feasibility of building a tire plant in Mexico, adding that the study was “at the beginning stages.”

    Yokohama Tire Mexico officially began importing consumer, commercial and off-the-road tires into Mexico in May 2013. Since then its sales have grown by “close to 500 percent,” Gomez said.

    “We are very happy. The market is very challenging, but fortunately the high end of the market is looking for Yokohama tires. We are a late entry but as somebody said, it's better late than later.”

    Michelin recently disclosed it is planning to build a $510 million tire plant in the state of Guanajuato, north-central Mexico. Production at the 1.58 million-sq.-ft. plant is expected to start in late 2018, with a capacity initially of 4 million to 5 million tires a year. The expected employment was not disclosed.

    Elsewhere, Goodyear has begun to build its $550 million tire factory in San Luis Potosi, 120 miles north of the city of Guanajuato. Production there is scheduled to start by mid-2017.

    Pirelli Tyre S.p.A. broke ground in June on a $200 million expansion of tire capacity at its 4-year-old car and light truck tire plant in Silao, also in Mexico's Guanajuato state.

    Production at the plant is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2017, Pirelli said, with an initial annual capacity of 2.5 million tires.

    Pirelli said the new plant strengthens Pirelli's position in Mexico and its growth at a worldwide level, and will increase its market share by meeting the requirements of export and domestic customers.

    The expansion will bolster the Silao plant's focus on the premium segment, Pirelli said, with production of high- and ultra-high-performance tires for cars and sport utility vehicles, for the NAFTA region markets.

    The tire maker's first plant at Silao covers more than 1.4 million square feet with an annual output of around 3 million tires last year and plans to grow to 5 million tires.

    With this new investment, the work force will be increased by 400 employees to more than 1,800, not including 400 ancillary workers.

    Bridgestone is adding capacity at its plant in the state of Morelos, which borders on Mexico City to the south.

    Related Articles
    Pirelli to boost hub in Mexico; Firm to invest $200 million
    Pirelli breaks ground on Mexican expansion
    Expansion in the Americas; Toyoda Gosei opens facilities in Brazil, Mexico
    Yokohama raising funds to complete ATG acquisition
    Yokohama completes Alliance Tire purchase, names chairman
    Yokohama tires tapped for Mazda sport utility vehicles
    Michelin chooses Mexico for plant
    Study: U.S. benefits most from auto supplier investments
    Yokohama promotes Funkhouser
    Toyota GD engines to use Yokohama teflon hose piping
    Yokohama Rubber reports declining sales, earnings
    Yokohama opening North Carolina R&D center
    Yokohama names new tire division president
    Yokohama introduces 'Blue Earth' eco truck tire
    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].

    Most Popular
    1
    Updated: UAW expands strike on Ford, GM
    2
    Freudenberg works to reduce CO2 footprint in facilities, compounding ingredients
    3
    UAW strike prompts smaller suppliers to seek federal aid
    4
    Egypt investors propose $1 billion tire plant project
    5
    Analysis: UAW strike just one issue to watch in auto industry
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Get our newsletters

    Staying current is easy with Rubber News delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    Subscribe Today

    Subscribe to Rubber News to get the best coverage and leading insights in the industry.

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    MISSION

    To serve companies in the global rubber product industry by delivering news, industry insights, opinions and technical information.

    Contact Us

    2291 Riverfront Pkwy, Suite 1000
    Cuyahoga Falls,
    OH 44221

    Customer Service:
    877-320-1726

    Resources
    • About Us
    • Digital Edition
    • Staff
    • Advertise
    • Order Reprints
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Partner Sites
    • Tire Business
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Plastics News
    • Urethanes Technology
    • Automotive News
    • Crain Brands
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • Tire
      • Airless Tires
      • Non-Tire
      • More News
        • Automotive
        • Executive Action
        • Government/Legal
        • Sustainability
        • Blogs
          • Products
          • Wacky World of Rubber
      • Suppliers
      • Silicone
      • Latex
      • Technical Notebooks
      • Opinion
      • Online Exclusive
      • Special Reports
        • Best Places to Work
        • War in Ukraine
        • Rubber Division IEC
        • ITEC
        • Women Breaking the Mold
    • PFAS
    • Custom
      • Sponsored Content
      • White Papers
    • Resources
      • Directory
      • Classifieds & Mold Mart
    • Data
    • Events
      • RN Events
        • International Tire Exhibition & Conference (ITEC)
        • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum
      • RN Livestreams/Webinars
      • Industry Events
      • Past Events
      • Rubber News M&A Live
      • PFAS Live
      • Ask the Expert
    • Advertise
    • DIGITAL EDITION