Yokohama Tire Corporation to Adjust Prices on Consumer Tires

FULLERTON,: For the first time in more than a year, Yokohama Tire Corporation is increasing prices on all of its consumer tires by up to 6 percent, effective January 1, 2010. The increase, due to a continued rise in the cost of raw materials and transportation, includes passenger, performance and light truck tires.

There will also be some in-line adjustments, which will be announced at a later date. Off-the-road and commercial tires will not be affected by the increase at this time. The last price increase from Yokohama was July 1, 2008.

�It was a difficult decision to raise prices, and we held off as long as we could,� said Shawn Denlein, Yokohama Tire director of sales, Consumer Products. �Unfortunately, the costs of some raw materials, energy and transportation continue to escalate, leaving us no option.�

Added Jim MacMaster, Yokohama executive vice president and COO: �We continually strive to keep costs down while bringing the best products to market at competitive prices. �Our operational efficiencies, environmental procedures and the latest technology help, but today�s business climate makes it a challenge to contain costs.�

Celebrating its 40th anniversary in the United States, Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., a global manufacturing and sales company of premium tires since 1917. Servicing a network of more than 4,500 points of sale in the U.S., Yokohama Tire Corporation is a leader in technology and innovation. The company�s complete product line includes the dB Super E-spec� - the world�s first tire to use orange oil to reduce petroleum � as well as tires for high-performance, light truck, passenger car, commercial truck and bus, and off-the-road mining and construction applications.