TOKYO — Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (YRC) is reviewing options for relocating its tire factory in Hangzhou, China, after receiving a request from government entities in China "to relocate the site of the current factory."
The plant in question, dedicated to passenger tires, was opened in 2003 and has a nameplate capacity of 5 million units.
In a statement provided to European Rubber Journal, Yokohama said: "We are considering the future. At this time, there are no specific plans that can be announced."
YRC's comments came in response to local press reports about the company's plans to establish a new plant, in Qiantang (New) District, Hangzhou City.
The project would involve an "intelligent" tire factory with a research and development center, into which YRC would later integrate its existing Hangzhou production operation.
Besides Hangzhou, YRC has one other tire factory in China, 15-year-old plant in Suzhou that makes passenger and truck/bus tires, with an annual rated capacity of 6.4 million units.
