Nihon Michelin Tire Co. Ltd. is set to launch the Pilot Exalto PE2 car tire in April followed by the Primacy 3 in July, targeting both of these toward use in modern classic cars. Also referred to as “young-timers,” modern classic cars produced in the 1980s and 1990s are becoming increasingly popular in recent years both in Japan and abroad...
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Okamoto Moves to Establish New Chinese Plant for Automotive Interior Materials
Okamoto Industries Inc. (TYO:5122) is set to establish a new plant for the production of automotive interior materials in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Operated by a new subsidiary named Okamoto Manufacturing Wuhan Co. Ltd., the new plant is set to see construction begin this May and finish in December. The Wuhan plant will give Okamoto a third production base for...
Yokohama Rubber Adds 10 New Sizes to Classic Car Tire Lineup
Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (TYO:5101) has added another 10 sizes to its lineup of Advan HF Type D tires for classic cars, launching sales of these on March 12. As a result of this expansion, the Type D is now available in 17 sizes. First launched in 1981, the Advan HF Type D is a hit product with a long...
Sumitomo Chemical Looks to Improve Gender Diversity in the Workplace
Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. (TYO:5110) recently held an online study event aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion. Introducing a number of the company’s initiatives for giving women a bigger role in the workplace, the event included 19 participants from across 12 companies. Recent years have seen workplace gender equality become an increasingly major topic in Japan. Sumitomo Chemical, for its...
Japan’s Rubber Unions Demand Wage Increases, Better Work-Life Balance in Annual Spring Labor Offensive
The Japanese Rubber Workers Union Confederation (JRC) has set out on its annual spring labor offensive for 2021. The bulk of union demands have now come in, especially those from large manufacturers. A survey based on information gathered at the JRC shows that, as of March 12, 45 unions have submitted their demands for the year. The weighted average wage...
Bridgestone Set to Close Bethune Tire Plant at End of April
Bridgestone Corp. (TYO:5108) is getting ready to close its passenger car tire plant in Bethune, France, by the end of April. Bridgestone started discussing the plant’s potential closure with stakeholders toward the end of last year. These discussions wrapped up on Feb. 26, followed by local authorities approving of the plans on March 16,. Following necessary processes such as job...