Yokohama reported a decline in the sales and business profits for its tyre segment for the first quarter, ending March 2020.

The company’s tyre business’ sales declined 12.71% to 87.410 billion yen in Q12020.  It reported a net loss of 503 million yen in Q12020.

The company said the downturn in business profit reflected a decline in unit sales volume, an increase in production costs associated with reduced production volume, and inventory-adjustment costs occasioned by a tyre recall in North America.

Both domestic and international markets saw a fall in sales. “That decline reflected production adjustments necessitated by a decline in Japanese demand associated with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and by suspended operation at vehicle plants in overseas markets,” said Yokohama.

Sales revenue also declined in replacement tyres. Sales of winter tyres in Japan were weak on account of warmer-than-usual winter temperatures at the outset of the year, and Japanese business in replacement tyres also suffered from the adverse effect of the COVID-19 outbreak on consumer spending. Business in replacement tyres was generally sluggish in overseas markets, too.
ATG, a part of Yokohama looking into agri, industrial and OTR tyres, also had a fall in sales and profits due low demand.

ATG’s sales stood at 15.54 billion yen in Q12020,  a fall of 17%, from 18.86 billion yen in Q12019. Profit fell by 22% to 1.78 billion yen in Q12020.

The massive business disruption caused by COVID-19 will necessitate revisions in the full-year fiscal projections that Yokohama issued in February 2020. However, the full extent of that disruption is impossible to determine at this time, and the company will therefore withhold for the time being the release of revised business projections and of proposed dividends. Yokohama will release its revised business projections and proposals for dividends as soon as management secures a firm grasp of the fiscal outlook.

Several measures are under way at Yokohama to maintain a sound financial position in the face of the COVID-19 challenge. Those measures include fortifying short-term liquidity through optimal fund raising, paring cash expenditures by deferring capital spending and trimming costs, and reducing compensation for directors, officers, associate officers, and managers.

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DUNLOP has announced the launch of its BLUE RESPONSE TG, a new premium summer tyre developed for passenger cars and SUVs. Suitable for internal combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles, the tyre will be available in 99 sizes spanning 15 to 21 inches, series 40-65 with H, V and W speed ratings. Production takes place at a state-of-the-art facility in Türkiye, with European market availability scheduled for March 2026.

This launch represents a significant shift for the brand in Europe. BLUE RESPONSE TG is the first DUNLOP product developed under Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) since it acquired the historic brand’s passenger car tyre rights in 2025. The tyre was engineered collaboratively by DUNLOP’s teams in Germany and Japan, drawing upon SRI’s established manufacturing and development capabilities.

The ‘TG’ designation stands for ‘Touring,’ underscoring the tyre’s ability to deliver long-distance comfort and efficiency while maintaining strong performance. A suite of new technologies ensures stability and control on both wet and dry roads. Impressive braking performance is a key feature, enhancing overall safety and driver confidence.

Central to the tyre’s capabilities is an intelligent three-zone rib design that efficiently channels water away from the contact patch. This promotes stability at higher speeds and unlocks reliable wet-weather grip during directional changes. A refined shoulder design features lateral grooves set at optimised angles. This enhances tread rigidity, reduces block deformation under load and ensures consistent force transfer when cornering and braking.

Durability is addressed through a new tread compound utilising longer, more resilient polymer chains. These resist abrasion and slow wear to extend mileage without compromising performance. To complete the package, a noise-reducing tread design links lateral grooves into continuous channels. This smooths airflow and dampens vibration, resulting in a noticeably quieter cabin environment and the composed, refined ride expected from the DUNLOP brand.

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The first Sprint weekend of the 2026 Formula 1 season began in China with an intense schedule, starting with Sprint Qualifying on Friday. George Russell claimed pole position, finishing over two-tenths of a second ahead of his teammate Kimi Antonelli, with Lando Norris securing third. Russell received the Pirelli Sprint Qualifying Award from Dario Marrafuschi, Pirelli Motorsport Director. The prize includes a helmet decorated in the colours of the Chinese flag and a replica Pirelli P Zero Soft tyre, both personalised with the driver’s name and number.

Pirelli’s compound regulations shaped the qualifying format. In SQ1 and SQ2, drivers were required to use a set of medium tyres, with most completing two fast laps per segment. For the final SQ3 shootout, the top 10 switched to the soft compound. Russell’s pole time of 1:31.520 came on the red-walled P Zero Soft, less than seven-tenths slower than the 2025 sprint pole time of 1:30.849, set by Lewis Hamilton.

The F1 Academy also opened its season in Shanghai, with Alisha Palmowski setting the fastest time in Friday’s qualifying. She outpaced Alba Larsen and Emma Felbermayr ahead of the series’ two races scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

Marrafuschi said, “During Sprint race weekends, it’s always challenging for teams to fully assess tyre behaviour as they only have one hour of free practice. During this session, the teams used one set of medium tyres and one set of soft tyres, without carrying out any significant long runs. The hards were saved for the following days, and some teams may consider using them in their strategies for Sunday's race as early as tomorrow.

“The Sprint race, which is most likely to be run on Medium tyres, will certainly provide a clearer picture. The performance difference between the two compounds used on Friday is around six tenths. Interestingly, in the first two qualifying segments, the C3 was once again able to deliver maximum performance on the second push lap after completing a cooldown lap.

“Temperatures are cooler than last year; the track is still dirty and has less grip than we will see on Sunday as the track evolves. As happened last year and as expected, some graining appeared on the front-left tyre, which is the most stressed by Shanghai’s corners, and to a lesser extent on the front-right, although the impact on overall wear remains limited. On this circuit, teams tend to prioritise protecting the front axle, shifting the balance towards the rear as much as possible.”

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Nexen Tire has received a ‘Good’ overall rating for its N'Fera Sport model in the latest summer tyre test conducted by Auto Bild in March 2026. The assessment highlights the tyre's strong performance within the competitive Ultra-High-Performance segment.

Tested on a BMW 5 Series (G60) with size 245/45 R 19 tyres, the N'Fera Sport distinguished itself through exceptional braking capabilities, achieving the third-shortest stopping distance among 50 competitors in the qualification phase and demonstrating excellent safety margins on both wet and dry surfaces. The tyre further impressed with its precise steering response and reliable grip, even under challenging conditions. Its overall performance secured it the third-place position in the qualification round. Notably, the N'Fera Sport also excelled in acoustic comfort, ranking second out of 20 tyres for low noise generation.

These results underscore the model's blend of control, responsiveness and safety, making it suitable for both everyday driving and more dynamic scenarios. Nexen Tire views this recognition as a validation of its ongoing commitment to innovation, quality and the production of high-performance products designed to enhance the driving experience.

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Bridgestone Corporation has unveiled its comprehensive motorsports engagement strategy for 2026, reaffirming its dedication to competitions spanning all levels, from elite international championships to grassroots events for amateur enthusiasts. This initiative will prominently feature the POTENZA brand for four-wheel racing and the BATTLAX brand for two-wheel competitions, operating under the core philosophy that tyres are essential to safeguarding life.

In the realm of premier racing, the company supplies tyres under both the Bridgestone and Firestone banners. The Bridgestone brand continues its dominant presence in Japan's premier SUPER GT series, where POTENZA-equipped teams recently secured an unprecedented fifth overall championship title in both the GT500 and GT300 categories. Simultaneously, on two wheels, BATTLAX-equipped competitors have achieved their fifth consecutive victory – and sixth overall – in the gruelling FIM Endurance World Championship, underscoring the tyre technology's reliability and performance under extreme conditions.

Complementing these achievements, the historic Firestone brand upholds its 125-year legacy as the exclusive tyre supplier for the renowned NTT INDYCAR SERIES. This partnership includes providing tyres for the legendary INDY500, ensuring the continuation of this exhilarating motorsport tradition. Through these diverse activities, the technologies honed from the racetrack directly contribute to the evolution of its consumer product lines, strengthening the Bridgestone brand and bringing new innovations to customers worldwide.

The company prioritises competitor safety and confidence by supplying tyres meticulously developed and proven on the racetrack, thereby actively nurturing the broader motorsports culture. Crucially, the high-stakes environment of racing serves as a mobile laboratory, where technological advancements forged in the pursuit of victory are transferred to enhance consumer and commercial tyres, reinforcing the brand's commitment to delivering superior value.

Hiroshi Imai, Vice President and Senior Officer, Global Motorsports Bridgestone Corporation, said, “Motorsports is the ultimate team sport. Everyone involved will come together as 'One Team’, embracing the challenge of motorsports with passion and supplying tyres we have poured our hearts and souls into. We hope to bring joy to drivers, riders, teams and all the fans who come to witness the thrill of racing. I feel as if I'm rolling along with our tyres on the track! This year, we are also sharing the voices of 10 of our teammates who work in motorsports tyre structural design, material development, production and motorsports operations. Please look forward to the efforts of our dedicated teammates who face tyres every day, and their passion through ‘Genbutsu-Genba’ to pursue the ultimate in tyre performance.”

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