Yokohama Tire was founded on October 13, 1917, in Yokohama, Japan, as a joint venture between the Yokohama Electric Cable Manufacturing Company and the American B.F. Goodrich Company. The company, officially named The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., is now a major global tire manufacturer known for its innovation in tire technology and motorsports.  

Key Historical Milestones 

1917: Founding 
The company was established as the Yokohama Rubber Manufacturing Co., Ltd., leveraging a partnership with BFGoodrich to introduce American rubber technology to the Japanese market. 

1930s: Brand Shift and Key Supply 
Initially selling tires under the "Goodrich" brand in Japan, the company changed its tire brand name to "Yokohama" in 1937. It began supplying tires to major Japanese car producers like Nissan and Toyota around this time. 

World War II: The company shifted operations to support the war effort, producing tires and other rubber components for Japanese military aircraft. 

1950s-1960s: Post-War Growth and Radial Tires 
After the war, Yokohama grew rapidly, introducing Japan's first snow tires in 1954 and its first tubeless tires shortly after. In 1967, it launched the G.T. SPECIAL STEEL, Japan's first steel-belted radial tire for passenger cars. 

1969: Entry into the U.S. Market 
Yokohama expanded globally by establishing Yokohama Tire Corporation in the United States, with an office in Los Angeles, California. 

1980s: Motorsports and U.S. Manufacturing 
The company launched the high-performance ADVAN tire series, which became a global strategic brand and was heavily involved in motorsports. In 1989, Yokohama acquired the U.S. manufacturer Mohawk Rubber Company to gain a U.S. production base. 

1990s-Present: Focus on Sustainability and Further Acquisitions 
Yokohama has emphasized environmentally friendly production with its "BluEarth" series of tires. It has expanded its reach in commercial and off-the-road (OTR) tires through key acquisitions, notably acquiring Alliance Tire Group in 2016 and Trelleborg Wheel Systems in 2023.  

Today, the Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. is a global company with operations in over 120 countries, known for a diverse range of products beyond tires, including industrial components and golf equipment.