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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JK Tyre & Industries  is investing INR 11.3 billion to expand production capacity across truck and bus radial, passenger car radial and off-the-road tyre segments, as strong demand pushes utilisation levels close to full.

The programme will raise overall capacity by about seven percent through projects at its Banmore, Laksar and Mysuru plants. Passenger car radial expansion at Banmore has been completed and is ramping up, with full capacity expected by July 2026. Truck and bus radial capacity at Laksar is due to come on stream by April 2026, while the off-highway expansion at Mysuru is already complete.

The investment forms part of the company’s broader INR 50 billion capital-expenditure plan over five years, focused on premium passenger tyres and radial technologies. Management said the share of larger-rim passenger tyres in its mix had risen to about 31 per cent from 27 per cent a year earlier, underpinning the need for additional capacity.

Indian operations are running at more than 90 percent utilisation, with radial tyre capacity above 95 per cent and consolidated utilisation above 85 percent. The expansion is intended to support continued growth in domestic replacement and original-equipment demand, as well as exports.

Separately, JK Tyre has completed the merger of subsidiary Cavendish Industries Ltd., after improving its utilisation from roughly 30 per cent to more than 95 per cent. The integration is expected to deliver operational synergies and strengthen capacity availability across product lines.

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Falken Tyre Europe GmbH is reshaping its summer tyre portfolio in response to shifting automotive trends on the continent, with a significant expansion planned for 2026. The updated lineup directly addresses the growing dominance of SUVs – which now represent 54 percent of new car registrations – and the accelerating shift towards electrification, with battery-electric vehicles holding a 17.5 percent market share in the first half of 2025. These developments have created heightened demand for larger tyre sizes and increased load capacities to accommodate heavier vehicle weights and the instant torque delivery of electric powertrains, all while preserving ride comfort and safety.

A key element of this enhanced portfolio is the AZENIS FK520, which now encompasses a broader array of larger rim diameters and wider footprints to suit both premium SUVs and high-performance automobiles. Its construction continues to emphasise a balance of strength and weight efficiency, incorporating reinforcement materials that support stability during demanding cornering and braking manoeuvres on dry tarmac. This approach ensures that drivers of heavier, more powerful vehicles can still experience precise handling characteristics.

For the rapidly expanding segment of battery-electric and hybrid vehicles, the e. ZIEX line has been developed to address their unique operational requirements. New size additions cater directly to popular electric models, while original equipment approval for Audi Q6 e-tron underscores its suitability for modern EV platforms. The tyre’s engineering focuses on extending range and durability through a carefully designed tread structure that promotes uniform pressure distribution, thereby reducing internal resistance and slowing the rate of wear across the contact patch.

At the pinnacle of the range, the AZENIS RS820 draws directly from Falken’s involvement in endurance motorsport to deliver ultra-high-performance capabilities for exotic sports cars and supercars. Its compound formulation and shoulder architecture are optimized for lateral stiffness on dry circuits and reliable grip in wet conditions, a combination that has led to its selection as original equipment on a premium performance sedan. Complementing these specialist products, the ZIEX ZE320 offers a broadly accessible option for everyday passenger cars, incorporating features that reduce interior noise and improve fuel economy through a lighter, more efficient casing structure.

Marcus Schulz, Product Manager, Falken, said, “Consumer demand for EVs and SUVs is reshaping Europe’s automotive landscape and Falken is ready to meet that challenge. Our 2026 summer range has grown in the areas where we are noticing this growth, ensuring more of Europe’s drivers can rely on Falken’s safe, efficient and performant range – always backed by our five-year guarantee.”

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Maxxis tyres demonstrated their competitive edge during the 2026 King of the Hammers (KOH) off-road racing event, where affiliated athletes achieved notable success across several demanding vehicle classes. The most significant victory came in the premier 4900 UTV Hammers Championship, where competitor Jeff Martin secured the overall win. Martin, driving for the Blais Motorsports team in the Open UTV category, navigated the notoriously difficult Johnson Valley landscape on Maxxis Roxxzilla tyres. His performance was characterised by strategic driving and steady control, which allowed him to outpace the competition and claim the top position.

Further highlighting the capability of the Roxxzilla tyre, legendary motocross figure Jeremy McGrath turned in a remarkable performance by finishing ninth overall. This achievement was particularly impressive given that McGrath was competing in the Pro Stock NA class against a field largely composed of more powerful turbocharged vehicles. His top-ten result served as a testament to both his driving expertise and the reliability of his Maxxis rubber. The UTV Pro Modified class also saw Maxxis-supported athletes dominate the podium, with Scott Lesage taking first place and Tommy Thompson securing second.

The punishing nature of the event was evident in the experience of Can-Am driver Hunter Miller. After contending near the front of the 4900 race, Miller’s bid for victory was derailed by a steering malfunction. Despite sustaining significant damage to his vehicle, he demonstrated considerable resilience by continuing to fight through the field and ultimately finishing eighth in the Open UTV class. Before the main events, Maxxis athletes had already established a strong foundation during the earlier Desert Challenge, with Dustin Jones and Todd Zuccone each earning podium finishes in their respective classes. The collective results throughout the week’s racing reaffirmed the brand’s reputation for providing durable, high-performing and consistent tyres capable of handling the extreme and varied conditions that define the King of the Hammers.

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The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) had the pleasure of welcoming Thomas Colonna, Head of the Asia Regional Office from the European Forest Institute (EFI), for a courtesy visit to its Secretariat in Kuala Lumpur on 13 February 2026.

The meeting provided a valuable platform for constructive dialogue focused on strengthening collaboration in sustainability and responsible natural resource management. Both parties exchanged views on potential joint initiatives, with particular attention given to supporting smallholder farmers across ANRPC member countries in the context of evolving global environmental requirements.

The discussions underscored a shared commitment to advancing cooperation and promoting resilient, sustainable practices within the natural rubber sector, marking a positive step forward in the relationship between the two organisations.

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