Yokohama tires are made by The Yokohama Rubber Company, Ltd., a Japanese manufacturer that has built tires since 1917.
Yokohama has earned a strong reputation for performance and original equipment tires, with popular lines like ADVAN and GEOLANDAR.
The parent company is headquartered in Hiratsuka, Japan, and runs its North American business through Yokohama Tire Corporation, founded in 1969.
Knowing who builds Yokohama and where helps you judge the quality and value behind the brand.
This article covers who makes Yokohama tires, where they are produced, who owns the brand, its history, how it compares to a rival, and whether the tires are any good.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Makes Yokohama Tires?
Yokohama tires are made by Yokohama Tire, the brand of The Yokohama Rubber Company, Ltd.
Yokohama is a full manufacturer, so it designs, engineers, and builds its own tires rather than buying them from outside plants.
The company has been in the tire business for more than a century and was the first Japanese tire maker to earn ISO 9001 certification.
That long track record is part of why Yokohama is trusted for both everyday and high performance tires.
In North America, the brand is run by Yokohama Tire Corporation, the company’s manufacturing and marketing arm.
Where Are Yokohama Tires Made?
Yokohama tires are made in plants across Japan, the United States, and several other countries.
In the United States, Yokohama has long built tires in Salem, Virginia, and in West Point, Mississippi.
The West Point plant opened in 2015 and focuses on commercial truck tires, while the Virginia plant historically built passenger and performance tires.
The Salem, Virginia plant was wound down in 2026, which shifts more United States passenger tire supply toward imports from Yokohama’s Asian plants.
Overseas, Yokohama also produces tires in countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, China, and India.
Who Owns Yokohama Tires?
Yokohama is owned by The Yokohama Rubber Company, Ltd., a publicly traded Japanese company.
The company makes far more than tires, with businesses in rims, industrial rubber products, and even golf equipment.
Yokohama Tire Corporation, the North American arm, handles manufacturing and marketing for the United States and nearby markets.
The company traces its origins to a 1917 joint venture, as described in its corporate history, and remains an independent tire maker today.
What Is the History of Yokohama Tires?
Yokohama Rubber was founded on October 13, 1917, as a joint venture involving a Japanese cable maker and the American brand BFGoodrich.
Its first factory opened in 1920 in Yokohama, Japan.
The company expanded to the United States in 1969 as Yokohama Tire Corporation to compete in the large North American market.
Over the decades it grew into a global maker known for performance tires, motorsport involvement, and original equipment fitments.
Yokohama Tires vs Falken Tires: How Do They Compare?
Yokohama and Falken are both well regarded Japanese rooted brands that span value and performance.
Yokohama is often seen as the slightly more premium name, with a strong reputation in ultra high performance tires through its ADVAN line.
Falken tends to compete a notch lower on price while still offering solid performance and popular all terrain options.
For a driver chasing top performance, Yokohama often edges ahead, while Falken can offer a little more value for everyday use.
Are Yokohama Tires Any Good?
Yokohama tires are widely viewed as a high quality choice.
The brand is especially respected for its performance tires, with the ADVAN line a favorite among enthusiasts.
Its GEOLANDAR line is a strong choice for SUVs and trucks that need all season or all terrain capability.
Yokohama tires often sit at a fair mid to upper price, offering quality that rivals the biggest premium names.
For drivers who want dependable performance from a long established global maker, Yokohama is a safe and rewarding pick.
For more on related tire brands, see Where Are Falken Tires Made and Where Are Goodyear Tires Made.
Frequently Asked Questions About Yokohama Tires
Is Yokohama a Japanese tire brand?
Yes, Yokohama is a Japanese brand owned by The Yokohama Rubber Company, headquartered in Japan. It has operated since 1917.
Are Yokohama tires made in the USA?
Some Yokohama tires are made in the United States, including commercial truck tires from the West Point, Mississippi plant. Many passenger tires are imported from Yokohama’s Asian factories.
Who owns Yokohama tires?
Yokohama tires are owned by The Yokohama Rubber Company, Ltd., a publicly traded Japanese company. Its North American arm is Yokohama Tire Corporation.
What is Yokohama best known for?
Yokohama is best known for its ADVAN performance tires and its GEOLANDAR line for SUVs and trucks. The brand also has a long motorsport history.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.