Yokohama launches ‘AVS deciBel’ silent tire

If you crave high-performance grip and stability in a tire but loathe the noise from aggressive tread patterns and special compounds, Yokohama may have the tire for you with its new AVS deciBel lineup.

The latest addition to the premium AVS product range, deciBel was conceived by engineering Yokohama’s Advanced Vehicle System technologies and focusing on producing one of the quietest tires in the market today.

Designed as a low-noise, all-around tire, deciBel (or simply "dB") features Noise Simulation Technology, a unique tread pattern designed with five-pitch variation to minimize hammering tire noise, and tread blocks to suppress noises generated by tire wear.

A new Silica Tread Compound featuring Yokohama’s proprietary "Zeruma" processing agent disperses silica consistently for optimum grip in both wet and dry conditions. Four straight and wide grooves are also incorporated to minimize aquaplaning.

As part of Yokohama’s premiere AVS lineup, the deciBel is available in 15- to 18-inch diameters, 35- to 65-series aspect ratios, and "V" (maximum of 240 kph) up to "Y" (maximum of 300 kph) speed ratios. 205/55R16 tires up to 265/35R18 models also come with Rim Protector bars. Prices range from P5,900 for the smallest 195/65R15 95V all the way to P14,700 for the 235/40R18 91Y.

Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. of Japan recently announced that its Philippine tire manufacturing and marketing subsidiary would upgrade its facilities to boost production beginning April. By the end of 2003, annual capacity will expand from two million units to 2.5 million at a cost of around two billion yen.

Production of 16-inch and larger high-performance passenger car and recreational vehicle tires will be stepped up for growing international demand. It is expected that 30 percent of production by year’s end will be composed of the 16-inch and larger models.

About 90 percent of Yokohama Tire Phils.’ output is exported to Europe, the Middle East and other ASEAN nations with the balance for the after-market and Japanese automakers in the Philippines.