We launched the BluEarth-1 in Japan in March 2011, and it has earned the top designation under Japanese tire manufacturers’ labeling standards for rolling resistance. In addition to reducing environmental impact through advances in fuel economy, the BluEarth-1 reduces stress and enhances the driving experience for drivers and for passengers.
The BluEarth-1 minimizes the traditional tradeoffs between low rolling resistance, on one hand, and wet grip and long mileage on the other. It surpasses in that regard even the DNA dB super E-spec, our former flagship product in environmental performance. The BluEarth-1 is superior to the DNA dB super E-spec in reducing external, “pass-by” noise, and it is fully comparable to its predecessor in handling stability and quiet ride.
Our BluEarth series includes the BluEarth RV-01, for minivans, and the BluEarth AE-01, available in sizes for a broad range of model types, as well as the flagship BluEarth-1. We will continue to augment the BluEarth series with new products to serve the global trend toward fuel-saving tires. That will include offering the BluEarth tires in a growing range of markets around the world.
Reconciliation of fuel savings, wet grip, and long mileage with nano BLEND Compound
We have developed nano Blend Compound as a core technological advance in rubber compounding. In nano Blend Compound, we have managed the chemical interaction of materials of diverse properties at the nanometer level. That has allowed for overcoming traditional incompatibilities and achieving simultaneous advances in fuel savings, wet grip, and long mileage.
Advanced inner liner for minimizing air loss
The air seepage that occurs naturally in all tires can increase rolling resistance and, if left unattended, can even affect tire safety adversely. Tire manufacturers use inner liners to help minimize air seepage. We have achieved new progress in preventing air loss by combining properties of rubber and of plastic in our newly developed Advanced inner liner, which appears on the BluEarth-1.
Dimpled design for reducing air resistance
Original Yokohama advances in aerodynamics have yielded a dimpled design employed in the shoulders and in the sidewalls of the BluEarth-1. That design reduces air resistance by suppressing air turbulence behind the tires.
Asymmetrical tread design and fuel-saving construction for improving wet grip and maintaining rigidity
The BluEarth-1 features an original asymmetrical tread design designed to maintain wet grip on the inside area and to maintain rigidity on the outside area. We have modified the rubber compound used in each part of the tire to achieve fuel savings and to improve every other aspect of performance. That has allowed for reducing the tire weight while maintaining high rigidity.
