Motorsports Brands - Yokohama Tire Corporation Names New President

FULLERTON, May 24, 2011: Yokohama Tire Corporation (YTC) announced today that Yasushi Tanaka will be the company’s new president and CEO, effective June 29. Tanaka succeeds Takao Oishi, who has been at the helm of YTC since April 2008.

Tanaka, 52, comes to YTC from parent company The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. (YRC) in Tokyo, Japan, where he was Corporate Officer in charge of Corporate Planning Department, Secretariat, GD100 Promotion Department.

Tanaka, who joined YRC in 1982, will now be based at YTC’s corporate headquarters in Fullerton, California. His promotion also includes being named president of Yokohama Corporation of America and president of Yokohama Corporation of North America. Tanaka remains a YRC Corporate Officer.

Oishi, who has been assigned to Director and Managing Corporate Officer effective June 29, returns to Japan as General Manager of Industrial Products Business Group.

“I am extremely proud of what we accomplished at YTC,” said Oishi. “Despite some of the toughest economic times in recent U.S. economic history, the company rose to be the most successful and profitable subsidiary of YRC worldwide. I am also grateful that, during my tenure, I was surrounded by dealers and YTC colleagues who provided me with warm friendship. I look forward to leaving the company in the very capable hands of Mr. Tanaka, as well as returning home to embark on achieving new milestones.”

Under Oishi’s leadership, YTC has enjoyed remarkable growth, including a significant rise in the volume of sales and market share. Additionally, the organization has expanded production capabilities at the Salem, VA manufacturing plant and elevated Yokohama brand awareness through major marketing initiatives such as sports marketing.