Yokohama Tire Corporation to Introduce MY627W Commercial Tire at the Mid-America Trucking Show

FULLERTON, March 11, 2010: Yokohama Tire Corporation will introduce its latest all-position waste and sanitation tire, the MY627W™, at the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS), March 25-27 at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

The MY627W, which replaces the Y773™, offers new features designed to deliver longer tread life, added durability and reduced operating costs for trucks used in the demanding sanitation industry. Specially designed for vehicle operations that require a high load-carrying capacity per tire, the MY627W will be featured by Yokohama in their booth (#14124) at MATS.

The MY627W, designed for waste pick-up operations, “can reduce operating costs because of its great durability and longevity, plus it’s highly retreadable,” said John Cooney, Yokohama director of commercial sales. “It offers the strength needed for heavy loads, with a design that helps reduce heat in stop-and-go driving. Additionally, it features a tread compound that’s resistant to chips and cuts, making it extremely durable.”

The MY627W tire will be available in June 2010 in 315/80R22.5 size (part number 62701) load range L. Highlights of this waste/sanitation tire include:

-- A wide outside rib with extra-wide serpentine grooves, which resist tears, while its unique surface shape significantly improves traction.

-- Sidewall indentations dissipate heat during stop-and-go driving to prolong casing life and maintain the integrity of the rubber.

-- An angled double wave outside groove sustains rib rigidity and reduces stone penetration.

-- Sidewall armor provides an extra layer of highly durable rubber, helping to protect against damage from curbing, prolonging the life of the tire.

-- The wider tread of the MY627W distributes wear across a larger surface area, providing enhanced traction and longer mileage.

-- A special tread compound with anti-chip and anti-cut qualities to increase durability.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary in the United States, Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., a global manufacturing and sales company of premium tires since 1917. Servicing a network of more than 4,500 points of sale in the U.S., Yokohama Tire Corporation is a leader in technology and innovation. The company’s complete product line includes the dB Super E-spec™ - the world’s first tire to use orange oil to reduce petroleum – as well as tires for high-performance, light truck, passenger car, commercial truck and bus, and off-the-road mining and construction applications. For more information on Yokohama’s extensive product line, visit www.yokohamatire.com .

Yokohama is a strong supporter of the tire care and safety guidelines established by the Rubber Manufacturers Association and the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration. Details can be found at the “Tire Safety” section at www.yokohamatire.com.