Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. has opened an indoor winter tire testing facility at its Nayoro Tire Proving Ground in Japan.
The Nayoro Indoor Ice Field (NICE) features a 100-meter braking test course plus a turning course that's about 30 meters long and 30 meters wide.
The proving ground in Nayoro was established in 1991, and is one of two facilities in Japan focused on the development of winter tires. It also features an ice test course and compacted snow test course.
Sumitomo says the new indoor facility is one of the largest indoor on-ice tire testing facilities in Japan. The company celebrated with a grand opening on Jan. 26.
Sumitomo Rubber Industries President Satoru Yamamoto said, “NICE now ranks among the largest indoor on-ice tire testing facilities in all of Japan. So that we can get the most out of this new facility in order to provide the world’s best winter tires from right here in Nayoro to countless satisfied customers all over the world, our employees will be working hard on united efforts to put this facility to good use toward more robust tire development.”
