Yokohama Rubber, Bridgestone, Continental In Tie

TOKYO SAeptember 25, 2002; Nikkei news reported today that Yokohama Rubber Co. will tie up with Bridgestone Corp. and German tiremaker Continental AG to jointly develop next-generation tires that can still function when completely deflated, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported Wednesday.

The trio seek to tap demand for the promising "runflat" tire.

Such tires are now being used for some luxury cars.

Yokohama Rubber is already in a tie-up with Continental Gummi-Werke to supply ordinary tires to domestic automakers. Meanwhile, Bridgestone and the German firm entered a partnership in January to jointly develop runflat tires.

French tiremaker Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin , which formed an alliance with Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. of the U.S., has already created its own runflat tire.