Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. recorded sales of $6 billion during the first three quarters of 2026, up 10.2% on a year-over-year basis.

Yokohama also posted operating profit of slightly under $970,000 during the first three quarters of this year.

Both numbers are records for the company, according to Yokohama officials, who add that the tiremaker is forecasting record revenue and profit growth for full-year 2026.

Yokohama's tire business, excluding its OHT (off-highway tire) unit, increased its year-over-year sales by 4% in the replacement tire channel.

Yokohama's sales in North America "rebounded strongly" during the first nine months of 2026. Replacement sales were "particularly strong, up 8% despite flat market demand overall."

In the region, Yokohama is "building partnerships with major dealers, strengthening promotional activites and opening new accounts."

Technology transformation

In its latest financials, Yokohama cited its "low-cost, speedy development of quality products" as a critical part of its "technology and production transformation."

The company is using artificial intelligence-simulation technologies, while responding to "emerging car makers" and maximizing new product introductions.

Yokohama is applying what it calls Yokohama ATG's "high-efficiency model" driven by "economies of scale realized by recent acquisitions (to) reduce raw material procurement costs."

Yokohama also reports it has shortened its new tire development time by 1.5 years and has increased its number of new tires and sizes developed.

Looking ahead 

The company says it will increase its number of tire lines "dedicated to premium OE (original equipment) tires" in 2027, while establishing new lines for high-diamater tires and Yokohama's Advan line.

Applying "production know-how" from its low-cost conversion plants in India and China will be another priority.

Production at Yokohama's plant in Mexico is scheduled to begin during the first quarter of 2027 and will have planned output of 1.5 million tires with a capacity of five million tires.

The company's plant in Hangzhou, China, which came online this past March three months ahead of schedule will achieve full production in 2028 with a capacity of nine million tires. Yokohama officials say the plant will produce around seven million tires in 2027.