FULLERTON, CA – U.S.-based Yokohama Tire Corp. (YTC) is joining with its Japanese parent, Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd., to utilize its strength in technologies to protect the environment. This “Grand Design 100” plan is part of the company’s global environmental management program designed to have Yokohama harmonize its company-wide operations in everything from manufacturing to product design.

“Consistent with our global initiative, YTC has developed ‘The Green Initiative’ to cover our U.S. operations and reduce the company’s environmental impact in every way possible,” said Jim MacMaster, Yokohama executive vice president, Business Division.

“Highlighting our efforts will be newly launched tires that exemplify environmental virtues,” said Norio Karashima, Yokohama Tire Corp. CEO and President. He added that Yokohama’s manufacturing plants around the world will aim for zero-waste output. “We’ll work to reuse or otherwise recycle all waste and will introduce cogeneration systems to raise all resource efficiency. We’ll work in all our operations to reduce waste and the output of carbon dioxide. Globally, this is our moral obligation.”

Yokohama currently has a zero-emissions plant in Shinshiro, Japan, and will expand this approach to other facilities around the world.

One of the initial ‘Green Initiative’ items for YTC has been to partner with Tesla Motors, which has Yokohama’s ultra-high-performance ADVAN Neova AD07 LTS tires as standard equipment on its all-electric Tesla Roadster. In fact, Yokohama will showcase the Tesla sports car, which can go 0-60 in about 4 seconds and reach speeds of more 130 mph, in its booth at the LA Auto Show (Dec. 1-10).

“Using Yokohama’s ADVAN tires on the Tesla Roadster was an easy decision,” said Martin Eberhard, CEO and co-founder of Tesla Motors. “We did a lot of homework and found ADVANs are the only tires on the market that combine high-performance capability with low rolling resistance, making them a perfect pro-environment complement for our electric sports car.”

According to MacMaster, “We’re gratified that Tesla investigated an array of options and ultimately decided to collaborate with Yokohama. The all-electric Roadster is certainly in line with our corporate mandate to create a sustainable business that aspires to have zero adverse affect on the environment. It’s a way of thinking, an environmental responsibility that all of our employees should possess.”

For more information about Yokohama, visit: http://www.yokohamatire.com.