Yokohama Rubber informally decided the below-mentioned changes of senior management at the meeting of the board members held on 17 February, 2023. The changes will formally be approved after the general meeting of shareholders to be held on 30 March, 2023.

As of March 30, 2023

Promoted Member of the Board (current position
Shinji Seimiya

Member of the Board and Managing Officer, Chief Technical & productional Officer, in charge of IT & Management System Planning Div.

(Member of the Board and Officer, Chief Technical Officer, in charge of Quality Assurance Div., Head of Tire Development Div).

Newly appointed Members of the Board (current position)
Tomoaki Miyamoto
Member of the Board and Managing Officer, Head of Japan Replacement Tire Sales & Marketing Div, Head of Consumer Tire Product Planning Div, in charge of Corporate Administration Div, Member of the Board of Yokohama Tire Japan Co, Ltd.

(Managing Officer, Head of Japan Replacement Tire Sales & Marketing Div, Member of the Board of Yokohama Tire Japan Co, Ltd).

Yoshikuni Nakamura
Member of the Board and Managing Officer, Head of Tire Business Planning Div, in charge of Tire Overseas Sales & Marketing Div, in charge of Corporate Social Responsibility Div.

(Managing Officer, Head of Tire Overseas Sales & Marketing Div, Chairman of Yokohama Asia Co, Ltd.)

Masahiro Yuki
Member of the Board and Officer, Head of Corporate Planning Div., in charge of Quality Assurance Div., Chairman of Yokohama Rubber (China) Co., Ltd.

(Officer, Chairman of Yokohama Rubber (China) Co, Ltd, Chairman of Yokohama Tire Sales (Shanghai) Co, Ltd, Chairman of Hangzhou Yokohama Tire Co, Ltd, Chairman of Suzhou Yokohama Tire Co, Ltd, Chairman of Yokohama Industrial Products - Hangzhou Co, Ltd, Chairman of Yokohama Industrial Products Sales - Shanghai Co, Ltd, Vice Chairman of Shandong Yokohama Rubber Industrial Products Co, Ltd).

Megumi Shimizu
Member of the Board (Outside)

(Audit & Supervisory Board Member (Outside))

Junichi Furukawa
Member of the Board (Outside)

 

Newly appointed Members of the Board and the Audit ＆ Supervisory Committee
Gota Matsuo

Member of the Board, Member of the Audit ＆ Supervisory Committee

(Member of the Board and Managing Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Head of Corporate Administration Div, in charge of Corporate Finance & Accounting Dept, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility Div, in charge of IT & Management System Planning Div, in charge of PRGR).

Hisao Uchida
Member of the Board, Member of the Audit ＆ Supervisory Committee

(Audit & Supervisory Board Member)

Hirokazu Kono
Member of the Board, Member of the Audit ＆ Supervisory Committee (Outside)

(Member of the Board (Outside))

Atsushi Kamei
Member of the Board, Member of the Audit ＆ Supervisory Committee (Outside)
(Audit & Supervisory Board Member (Outside))

Hiroki Kimura
Member of the Board, Member of the Audit ＆ Supervisory Committee (Outside)
(Audit & Supervisory Board Member (Outside))

The members of the Board voted at the meeting of the board members on 31 January, 2023, to shift the company from a company with an audit and supervisory board to a company with an audit and supervisory committee, subject to approval at the general meeting of shareholders on 30 March, 2023.

 

Change in Member of the Board’s responsibility
Nitin Mantri

Member of the Board and Managing Officer, Head of OHT Div, CEO of Yokohama Off-Highway Tires K.K, Chairman of Yokohama India, Chairman of Yokohama Tyre Vietnam Inc, in charge of Yokohama Europe GmbH.

(Member of the Board and Managing Officer, Head of OHT Div, CEO of Yokohama Off-Highway Tires K.K, Chairman of Yokohama India).

 

Retired Members of the Board
Yasuo Nakayama
Advisor, Vice Chairman of Yokohama Rubber (China), Chairman of Yokohama Industrial Products - Hangzhou, Chairman of Yokohama Industrial Products Sales - Shanghai, Vice Chairman of Shandong Yokohama Rubber Industrial Products.

(Member of the Board and Officer, Head of MB Div, Head of Hose and Couplings Div)

Toru Nakamura
Officers , President of Yokohama Tire Manufacturing (Thailand).

(Member of the Board and Officer, Head of Tire Production Div).

Nobuo Takenaka
(Member of the Board (Outside))

Retired Audit and Supervisory Board Members (including four individuals newly appointed as Member of the Board or Member of the Board and the Audit and Supervisory Committee)

Osamu Mikami
Advisor
(Audit & Supervisory Board Member)

Hisao Uchida
Member of the Board, Member of the Audit ＆ Supervisory Committee

(Audit & Supervisory Board Member)

Atsushi Kamei
Member of the Board, Member of the Audit ＆ Supervisory Committee (Outside)

(Audit & Supervisory Board Member (Outside))

Megumi Shimizu
Member of the Board (Outside)
(Audit & Supervisory Board Member (Outside))

Hiroki Kimura
Member of the Board, Member of the Audit ＆ Supervisory Committee (Outside)
(Audit & Supervisory Board Member (Outside))

Promoted Officer

Takehisa Morimoto

Managing Officer, President of Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi, LLC, Chairman of Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Virginia, LLC.

(Officer, President of Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi, LLC).

Newly appointed Officers

Anil Gupta

Officer, COO of ATC Tires, Vice Chairman of Yokohama India.

(Associate Officer, COO of ATC Tires, Vice Chairman of Yokohama India)

Tetsuya Nagao
Officer, Head of Tire Production Div.

(Associate Officer, President of Yokohama Tire Philippines, Inc)

Takeshi Masatomo
Officer, Head of Tire Overseas Sales & Marketing Div, Head of Tire Overseas Sales & Marketing Dept, Chairman of Yokohama Asia.

(Associate Officer, Acting Head of Tire Overseas Sales & Marketing Div, Head of Tire Overseas Sales & Marketing Dept).

Shoichiro Matsuda
Officer, Head of Tire Development Div, Head of Tire Designing Dept No 2

(Associate Officer, Acting Head of Tire Development Div, Head of Tire Designing Dept No 2)

Changes in Officers’ responsibility
Shinichi Takimoto

Senior Managing Officer, Chairman and CEO of Yokohama Corporation of North America, Chairman of Yokohama Tire Corporation, Chairman of Yokohama Tire (Canada) Inc, Chairman of Yokohama Tire Mexico, S de RL de CV.

(Senior Managing Officer, President and CEO of Yokohama Corporation of North America, Chairman of Yokohama Tire Corporation, CEO of Yokohama Tire (Canada) Inc, CEO of Yokohama Tire Mexico, S de RL de CV)

Jeff Barna
Senior Managing Officer, President of Yokohama Corporation of North America, President and CEO of Yokohama Tire Corporation

(Senior Managing Officer, President and CEO of Yokohama Tire Corporation)

Shingo Ishimitsu
Officer, Head of HR Dept, President of Yokohama Peer Support, President of Yokohama Rubber.

(Officer, Head of HR Dept, President of Yokohama Peer Support., President of Yokohama Rubber Health Insurance Society, President of Yokohama Rubber).

Promoted Associate Officers

Takashi Shirokawa
Managing Associate Officer, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility Div, Head of Hiratsuka Factory

(Associate Officer, Head of Hiratsuka Factory, Head of Materials Technologies Dept).

Tsuneyuki Ishizuka
Managing Associate Officer, Head of Corporate Administration Div, Head of Corporate General Affairs Dept.

(Associate Officer, Acting Head of Corporate Administration Div, Head of Corporate General Affairs Dept).

Masaki Nakamura
Managing Associate Officer, Head of IT & Management System Planning Div, President of Hamagomu Aicom Inc.

(Associate Officer, Head of IT & Management System Planning Div, Head of System Development Dept, President of Hamagomu Aicom Inc).

 

Newly appointed Associate Officers

Hideki Satowa
Associate Officer, Deputy in charge of MB Production and Engineering, Head of MB Production and Engineering Planning Dept.

(Assistant in charge of MB Production and Engineering Planning, Head of MB Production and Engineering Planning Dept).

Motoji Fujita
Associate Officer, Acting Head of Research & Advanced Development Div, Head of Materials Technologies Dept.

(President of Yokohama Tire Manufacturing (Thailand)

 

Hidekazu Onoi
Associate Officer, Head of Tire Materials Development Dept No 2

(Head of Tire Materials Development Dept No 2)

Takayoshi Omae
Associate Officer, Acting Head of Consumer Tire Product Planning Div, Head of Consumer Tire Product Planning Dept.

(Head of Consumer Tire Product Planning Dept)

Kazuhiro Masuda
Associate Officer, Acting Head of Corporate Administration Div, Head of Legal Dept

(Head of Legal Dept.)

 

Stan Chandgie
Associate Officer, Vice President of Yokohama Tire Corporation

(Vice President of Yokohama Tire Corporation)

Changes in Associate Officers’ responsibility

Michio Shimizu

Associate Officer, Head of Motorsports Tire Development Dept.

(Associate Officer, Deputy Head of Tire Development Div, Head of Motorsports Tire Development Dept).

Koji Watanabe
Associate Officer, Head of Tire Technical Planning & Administration Dept.

(Associate Officer, Deputy Head of Tire Development Div., Head of Tire Technical Planning & Administration Dept)

 

Naoki Takeda
Associate Officer, President of Aichi Tire Industry

(Associate Officer, Head of Internal Audit Dept)

Takayuki Hamaya
Associate Officer, Head of MB Div, Head of Industrial Products Div

(Associate Officer, Head of Industrial Products Div)

Shigemichi Mori
Associate Officer, Acting Head of MB Div, Head of Hose and Couplings Div, Head of MB Planning Dept.

(Associate Officer, Acting Head of MB Div, Head of MB Planning Dept)

 

Ming Fan
Associate Officer, Assistant to President, President of Yokohama Rubber (China) Co, Ltd., Chairman and President of Yokohama Tire Sales (Shanghai) Co, Ltd, Chairman of Hangzhou Yokohama Tire, Chairman of Suzhou Yokohama Tire.

(Associate Officer, Assistant to President, President of Yokohama Rubber (China), President of Yokohama Tire Sales (Shanghai).

JK Tyre & Industries has showcased a broad range of products across its truck and bus radial, passenger car radial and two- and three-wheeler segments at Automechanika Dubai 2025, as the Indian manufacturer seeks to deepen its presence in the Middle East and Africa.

The event, held from 9–11 December at the Dubai World Trade Centre, is the largest automotive aftermarket exhibition in the region and marks JK Tyre’s 11th consecutive participation. The company positioned the MEA region as a key driver of its international expansion, citing ongoing infrastructure activity and economic growth as supportive of future demand in the commercial tyre segment.

Dr Arun Kumar Bajoria, Director and President (International) at JK Tyre & Industries, said: “Automechanika provides an excellent platform to meet all our customers under one roof and gain insights into their needs and evolving market demands. We have displayed products from our flagship brands—JK Tyre and Vikrant—along with offerings from our associate company, Valiant. We remain fully committed to serving our customers across the MENA and GCC regions.”

Alongside its regional portfolio, the company unveiled a new range of passenger car and van tyres for Europe, covering summer, winter and all-season use. It also presented its Treel smart solutions, including PCR tyres with embedded sensors, as part of its focus on innovation and sustainability.

Michelin is turbocharged about India. The global tyre manufacturer has increased its investment in its Chennai plant to INR 6.86 billion, up from the INR 5.64 billion announced last September, as it prepares to manufacture premium passenger car tyres locally for the first time. The move comes as India’s automotive landscape undergoes a dramatic shift, with SUVs accounting for half of all new car sales and consumers increasingly willing to pay premium prices for safety and performance.

After more than a decade of producing only truck tyres in India and serving the passenger car segment through imports, Michelin is betting that the time is right to localise production. The company expects India’s premium passenger car tyre market to grow from 10-12 million units today to 17-18 million by 2030, driven by improving road infrastructure and evolving consumer preferences. With its first locally-made passenger car tyres – including the Primacy 5 and Pilot Sport ranges – expected to hit the market in the first half of 2026, Michelin is positioning India not just as a manufacturing base but as a centre of excellence for AI innovation, engineering talent and sustainable production across Africa, Middle East and beyond.

Last year, in September, Michelin had announced an investment of INR 5.64 billion in a brownfield expansion to produce passenger car radial tyres at its Chennai plant. Year-to-date, the company has already ramped up the figure to INR 6.86 billion, fuelled by its confidence in India’s passenger car market.

“We are bullish about India because of two major reasons. One is the transformation of the vehicle market itself, as last year, around 50 percent of new cars sold in India were SUVs. At the same time, road infrastructure is improving dramatically. That leads to the second factor that Indian consumers increasingly want bigger, safer cars with advanced safety features and they are willing to pay a premium for performance,” said Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director at Michelin India.

Adding to Deshpande, Vitor Silva, President, Africa, India and Middle East (AIM), Michelin, said, “We see this as the perfect time for Michelin to complement that shift with tyres that deliver technology, safety, comfort and long-lasting performance. While we have been manufacturing truck tyres here for more than a decade, we will now also focus on passenger car tyres. Until now, we have been serving the segment largely through imports. But we believe the market dynamics have shifted and this is the right time to localise production.”

In line with this, the Chennai plant will also focus on premium passenger car tyres ranging from 16-inch to 22-inch sizes. According to Deshpande, the market is currently estimated at 10–12 million tyres and is expected to grow to 17–18 million by the end of the decade, making the investment not only timely but essential.

The plant will churn out its most advanced range – LTX Trail ST, Pilot Sport 4 SUV, Pilot Sport 5 and Primacy 5 tailored for the Indian market. The Michelin Primacy 5 will be the first tyre to roll out.

In the coming months, the tyres will undergo homologation and certification processes with BIS and other authorities. Once approved, the first Michelin passenger car tyres will be made available to Indian consumers. While no fixed deadline has been set, the commercial availability of these tyres is expected during the first half of the next year.

Michelin is structured into nine regions for business management purposes. Regarding India’s role in the wider region such as Africa, and the Middle East, operations have been designed to serve both as a production hub and a centre of excellence. The Indian facility will not only cater to domestic demand but will also strengthen Michelin’s position across the region through supply, innovation and talent development.

Its technology centre in Pune was described as one of the most important hubs for the group in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). In addition, strong capabilities in research and development, digital services, IT and corporate functions have been developed there.

India also has been positioned as a centre where talent is nurtured, contributing not only to Michelin globally but also to consumers worldwide through products designed locally.

“Tyres for North America and Europe have been designed in India and around a hundred AI proof-of-concept projects have been initiated, tested and are planned for eventual global deployment. The country is also a key source of raw materials for global operations. Michelin in India represents more than tyres, symbolising innovation, supply chain strength and talent development,” said Silva.

MANUFACTURING PROWESS

The Chennai plant, operational for 12 years, is among the most sustainable in India and globally of Michelin. It is a zero liquid discharge facility with 80 percent of water consumption recycled and 100 percent of waste reused.

By 2024, 45 percent of materials used to make tyres at the Chennai plant were renewable and recyclable, exceeding the global target of 50 percent by 2030. Forty-five percent of electricity comes from green sources, supported by infrastructure investments such as the 2022 solar facility.

AI is integrated into daily operations, analysing machine performance, monitoring quality and supporting decision-making. These tools are accessible to both engineers and frontline operators.

Currently, the plant’s installed capacity is 54,000 tonnes with flexibility maintained to align production with fluctuating demand as tyre weights vary from 7–8 kilogrammes for 16-inch tyres to 15–16 kilogrammes for 22-inch tyres. Inventory constraints prevent storing six months’ worth of tyres, requiring production and demand to be closely synchronised.

“At Michelin, we homologate products based on the conditions of each region. That means the tyres made and sold in India are essentially the same as those sold globally but validated to perform in Indian conditions. So rather than a separate India-only tyre line, we bring world-class products that are equally well-suited to Indian roads,” contended Silva.

Flexibility has been built into the production lines, allowing a mix of products to be manufactured on the same machines.

Primary focus is given to serving the local market as the industry was regarded as highly complex. While some volumes may be exported and others imported, priority is assigned to the Indian market.

When asked about the impact of starting passenger car tyre production on the OEM segment, Deshpande explained that several large truck manufacturers, including Ashoke Leyland, Volvo, Mercedes and Scania, are already being served.

Regarding the passenger car segment, the focus has been on the replacement market. While several imported cars including the Hyundai Ioniq and multiple Mercedes-Benz models already come equipped with Michelin tyres, OEM engagement in this segment is planned for the future, though replacement currently remains the priority.

Commenting on raw material procurement from India, Silva stated that India is also leveraged as a supplier of raw materials for Michelin’s global factories. Carbon black, natural rubber and chemicals are procured locally. This approach emphasises not only production and services from Pune but also the utilisation of India’s industrial ecosystem to support the company’s worldwide supply chain.

Specific materials sourced from India include carbon black, chemicals, steel and other items, all of which must meet Michelin’s strict quality and pricing standards.

“Beyond materials, India also contributes significantly in terms of engineering. At the Chennai plant, a dedicated engineering division has been established to develop machines for our global operations. Certain machines are designed and manufactured in India before being shipped worldwide. Additionally, specific components for global operations are already being produced in India,” said Florent Chaussade, Executive Director, Michelin Chennai.

RETAIL SCOPE

Deshpande emphasised that the company’s focus extends beyond production to transforming the consumer buying experience. A state-of-the-art experience shop was recently inaugurated in Nashik. Premium retail environments are being ensured through clean shops, ample parking, advanced equipment and well-informed staff capable of clearly communicating Michelin’s superior value.

To strengthen the retail network, the Michelin Tyre Service (MTS) network is being expanded. Seventy-five MTS outlets currently operate across India, primarily in metro cities, with plans to establish Michelin Tyre Stores as the benchmark for tyre retail experience nationwide.

On online sales, the company’s approach is two-fold. “Pure e-commerce retail remains negligible in India, but the research online, purchase offline trend is significant. Efforts have been made to ensure accurate digital presence, guiding consumers on suitable tyres,

availability and recommended outlets. This strategy is aimed at aligning the online-to-offline journey with the premium performance of our products, recognising that Indian consumers are tech-savvy yet accustomed to traditional purchasing,” divulged Deshpande.

To communicate safety, comfort and performance to price-sensitive consumers, Michelin has launched a dealer digital programme, enhancing dealers’ online presence to provide accurate brand and outlet information.

Inside outlets, experience shops display simple ‘reasons to believe’, demonstrating value propositions such as lower rolling resistance and superior braking performance. Dealers and technicians are continuously trained to deliver consistent performance, comfort and safety.

“The approach is ongoing and comprehensive, combining digital engagement, premium retail environments, interactive demonstrations and continuous skill development to elevate both the product and the overall ownership experience,” Deshpande added.

MARKET WATCH

The company’s truck and bus radial (TBR) business in India has evolved in recent years to target customers and fleets that value total cost of ownership (TCO). The strategy is centred on tubeless truck tyres, particularly energy-efficient models.

“Around 60 percent of a fleet’s operating cost is fuel, and our Multi Energy Z + tubeless tyres are reported to save 8–10 percent in fuel compared with traditional tube-type radials, directly benefiting the fleet’s bottom line,” contended Deshpande.

He added, “Although the segment remains relatively small, leading coach operators are already 100 percent tubeless. New-generation fleet owners increasingly prioritise TCO and are driving the transition. Demanding fleets such as Delhivery, which operates trucks 16–17 hours daily, covering 20,000 km per month, choose us for reduced downtime, fuel savings and extended tyre life. Other major clients include ITS, DGFC and Best Roadways. In 2022, the Chennai plant produced India’s first four-star rated energy-saving tyre, marking a national milestone.”

Regarding market share, only 10–12 percent of trucks currently run on tubeless tyres, while the rest remain tube-type, explained the executive.

On the two-wheeler front, Michelin already sells locally manufactured tyres through outsourcing arrangements. Fastest growth is observed in the over 350 cc motorcycle segment driven by higher disposable incomes and improved infrastructure, mirroring the SUV boom in passenger cars.

When asked about India’s potential global role amid geo-political shifts including trade barriers, tariffs and overcapacity in countries such as China, it was stated that Michelin’s vision is to operate local-to-local wherever possible.

“The tyre supply chain is highly interconnected with nearly 200 materials used in a single tyre, making it impossible to source everything from a single location. Efforts are focused on reducing raw material intensity, increasing the proportion of renewable inputs and minimising environmental impact through green factories and cleaner materials,” concluded Silva.

Michelin’s India strategy integrates local manufacturing, sustainable practices and advanced consumer engagement to build long-term value.

Continental has entered exclusive negotiations with ASC Investment over the sale of ContiTrade France, its French tyre and vehicle-maintenance retail business, as the German group advances a shift towards a fully franchised model in the country.

The proposed transaction covers more than 130 company-owned BestDrive outlets, two retreading plants and associated administrative functions, involving about 1,200 employees. All sites would continue operating under the BestDrive brand through franchise agreements. Continental said staff overseeing the franchise and FleetPartner organisations would move into its French marketing and sales division. Both parties have agreed not to disclose financial details.

Completion of the deal remains subject to consultation with the Comité Social et Économique and approval from Continental AG’s supervisory board, followed by the signing of a sale and purchase agreement.

The move would conclude BestDrive France’s transition from a hybrid distribution structure to a fully franchised network. Continental said that, once the transaction is completed, it would continue serving retail and fleet customers through franchise-operated outlets across France. The company highlighted its product offering, digital services and the nationwide FleetPartner network as core elements of its franchise strategy.

ASC Investment intends to run the outlets as an independent business focused on expanding its service offering. The investment group, headquartered in Luxembourg and Munich, specialises in European corporate carve-outs and operational turnarounds. ASC said it plans to work alongside the existing management team to build on ContiTrade France’s footprint and workforce expertise.

BestDrive France currently operates more than 200 service points nationally. Continental aims to enhance the competitiveness of the network as part of wider European restructuring efforts amid increasing pressure on margins in the tyre retail sector.

Michelin has opened a tyre and service outlet in Ludhiana as part of its strategy to deepen distribution across north India, a region the French group views as important to the growth of its passenger-car business.

The Michelin Tyre & Service Store, launched in partnership with local dealer Preet Automobiles, is located on Link Road near Gill Chowk, one of the city’s busiest automotive corridors. The 1,500 sq ft facility will sell the company’s full range of passenger-vehicle tyres and provide services including wheel alignment, balancing and alloy care.

Preet Automobiles, which has operated in Ludhiana for more than 40 years, will run the outlet. The business is known locally for technical expertise in wheel-related services and two-wheeler tyre fitments, positioning it as a suitable partner for Michelin’s expanding retail strategy.

The shop was inaugurated by Prashant Sharma, National Sales Director at Michelin India. Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director for India, said: “North India has been a crucial market for Michelin’s growth strategy and Ludhiana presents a strong opportunity for us with its growing base of premium and luxury automotive enthusiasts. The launch of this new Michelin Tyre & Services Store reinforces our commitment to expanding our retail network and improving customer access to Michelin’s premium products and services, catering to the growing demand. Through our partnership with Preet Automobile, we aim to deliver a truly premium and reliable experience for our consumers.”