Key facts
- Yokohama Rubber has opened a new tire plant in Hangzhou, China.
- The plant will produce lower-cost tires for Chinese automakers.
- The company used locally made machinery for faster, cheaper production.
- Japanese car sales in China have been declining.
Yokohama Rubber is stepping up efforts to secure a larger role in Chinese automakers' supply chains by opening a new tire plant in Hangzhou, China. The facility, which began production on September 17, 2026, aims to produce lower-cost tires for domestic Chinese car manufacturers, including BYD. The company utilized locally sourced machinery to expedite and reduce production costs. This strategic move comes as Japanese car sales in China have been experiencing a decline.