Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd. (TYO:5105) and Kyoto-based electric vehicle (EV) maker GLM Co. Ltd. have agreed to collaborate in developing a suspension module for EVs. The two partners aim to develop an active air suspension system that adapts to road conditions to alleviate shaking and vibration, with a commercial product to come sometime during 2020. GLM will provide...
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Zeon Corp. (TYO:4205) President Kimiaki Tanaka recently spoke with Japan Rubber Weekly about how the accelerating trend toward electric vehicles (EVs) will impact his company. Tanaka said that specialty rubber, which is used in parts around automotive engines and is central to the company’s earnings, will be used less and less as the industry continues its march toward EVs. Zeon...
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Mitsutaka Yoshii, president of rubber belt and functional parts manufacturer Bando Chemical Industries Ltd. (TYO:5195), sat down with Japan Rubber Weekly ahead of the new year to discuss his company’s plans for 2018. Noting that Bando’s new businesses have finally taken shape, he stressed that placing them on a sound growth footing is the key task in the second stage...
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Nichirin Co. Ltd. (TYO:5184), a manufacturer specializing in automotive hoses, has set up a production technology center within the company’s Himeji Factory. In a recent interview with Japan Rubber Weekly, Nichirin President Ryuichi Maeda said that the company will use the center to tackle innovative manufacturing and develop new production methods. In addition, he said, Nichirin will focus on bolstering...
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Sumitomo Riko Co. Ltd. (TYO:5191) President Tetsu Matsui says that he feels a sense of crisis at the need for his company to adapt to the trend toward electric vehicles (EVs), which is moving faster than expected. As EVs become more prevalent, he said, there will be a reduction in use of anti-vibration rubber and hose products for internal combustion...
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Bridgestone Corp. (TYO:5108) has begun delivering Ecopia EP150 tires to Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. (TYO:7201) for use in the company’s updated Nissan Leaf electric vehicle. These tires play an important part in helping the Leaf achieve its characteristically stable control and comfortable ride, and also extend the car’s driving range. With the Ecopia line, Bridgestone has managed to reduce rolling...
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