Japanese companies are conquering other markets
As recent studies have shown, the Japanese market for automobile tires is experiencing a decline in demand. Coupled with the rise in the yen's exchange rate, this means big problems for Japanese manufacturers. This has led to many companies turning their attention to other markets, primarily the Chinese and Russian markets, as well as countries in Southeast Asia.
Thus, Bridgestone plans to invest around 250 million euros in production outside of Japan by 2012. With this influx of funds, the company plans to increase the capacity of its plant in China and build a new facility in India from scratch. Additionally, according to Jiji Press, one of Bridgestone's likely future activities will be the opening of a plant in Russia in the coming years.
Another Japanese giant, Sumitomo, plans to increase production of passenger car tires at its Thai plants two to three times over the next two years. Recall that it is in Thailand that Sumitomo has its production base, which produces tires for export.
Yokohama Rubber Co. has already opened its branch in Russia this year. But the company does not plan to stop there, and its immediate plans include increasing the production capacity of the Lipetsk plant by one and a half times. In turn, for Yokohama, the Russian plant will be used to operate tire production abroad.
Finally, another major Japanese company, Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., is currently building a new plant in Malaysia with an investment of 176 million euros. It is reported that by 2015, the plant will produce five million tires per year, and this figure is planned to be doubled in the future.
Despite all this, Japanese manufacturers are having a tough time on the external market, as their products are losing out in terms of cost to automobile tires from South Korea and China. Representatives of Japanese companies assure in unison that they plan to make up for this with the quality of their products.
Thus, Bridgestone plans to invest around 250 million euros in production outside of Japan by 2012. With this influx of funds, the company plans to increase the capacity of its plant in China and build a new facility in India from scratch. Additionally, according to Jiji Press, one of Bridgestone's likely future activities will be the opening of a plant in Russia in the coming years.
Another Japanese giant, Sumitomo, plans to increase production of passenger car tires at its Thai plants two to three times over the next two years. Recall that it is in Thailand that Sumitomo has its production base, which produces tires for export.
Yokohama Rubber Co. has already opened its branch in Russia this year. But the company does not plan to stop there, and its immediate plans include increasing the production capacity of the Lipetsk plant by one and a half times. In turn, for Yokohama, the Russian plant will be used to operate tire production abroad.
Finally, another major Japanese company, Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., is currently building a new plant in Malaysia with an investment of 176 million euros. It is reported that by 2015, the plant will produce five million tires per year, and this figure is planned to be doubled in the future.
Despite all this, Japanese manufacturers are having a tough time on the external market, as their products are losing out in terms of cost to automobile tires from South Korea and China. Representatives of Japanese companies assure in unison that they plan to make up for this with the quality of their products.