Continental and Yokohama have agreed to terminate their joint venture Yokohama Continental Tire Co (YCC) at the end of this month. This decision was taken in 2015.
YCC was founded in 2002 to meet the global original equipment requirements of the Japanese and Korean car manufacturers for both Continental Tires and Yokohama Rubber.
“Our joint venture has enabled us to establish a solid foundation for our original equipment business with Japanese and Korean vehicle manufacturers during the last 14 years,” said Tansu Isik, head of the OE business for passenger car tires in the APAC region at Continental, which is based in Shanghai, China.
“As part of our divisional long-term growth strategy Vision 2025, we have enhanced during that timeframe our passenger and light truck tire team and capabilities to serve the OE business for the Asia-Pacific region.
“From April 1, 2016, we will start to support Japanese and Korean OE customers on our own, which includes direct sales of our Continental premium tires in Japan and Korea.”
Continental today operates five tire plants in the APAC region – in Hefei, China (above); Modipuram, India; Kalutara, Sri Lanka; and two in Malaysia, in Alor Setar and in Petaling Jaya.
March 10, 2016
