Yokohama extends premium-SUV tyre range to crossovers

Yokohama India has launched the GEOLANDAR X-CV, taking the premium tyre technology it built for large luxury SUVs down to smaller crossover SUVs, as it chases one of India's fastest-growing vehicle segments and signals a bigger tilt toward car tyres at its Visakhapatnam plant. The range was unveiled in Vizag on 12th August.

The company said the range, previously offered from 18-inch wheels upward, now starts at 16 inches and spans 32 sizes up to 20 inches, which it calls India's most extensive dedicated pattern for crossover and premium SUVs. At the launch, executives said the 16- and 17-inch sizes have been developed specifically for the Indian market and its SUVs, with 17 variants available now and 15 more to follow.

"The crossover SUV segment is growing rapidly, and road infrastructure is improving, so motorists now want a balance of safety, comfort, quietness and long-lasting performance," said Harinder Singh, Managing Director and CEO of Yokohama India. "With the GEOLANDAR X-CV, we're bringing flagship premium tyre technology to a wider base of crossover SUV owners."

The launch also points to a shift at the Vizag facility, which unusually makes both off-highway (OHT) and passenger-car tyres (PCR), currently split roughly 70% OHT to 30% PCR. With this range, Yokohama wants to grow the car-tyre share and is targeting an expansion of capacity to 6.3 million units.

The GEOLANDAR X-CV, which Yokohama says is EV-compatible, is available from this month through the Yokohama Club Network and select dealers, with a no-cost EMI offer at launch. Pricing was not disclosed.

This is a developing story. Watch out for the detailed report from launch, which will follow soon.