FULLERTON, Calif. — Due to the soaring cost of raw materials, Yokohama will increase prices on all products starting Oct. 1. The continued record escalation of raw material costs, petroleum related material costs and energy costs have made cost increases a necessity, says the company.

The increase will be on all products and all brands produced by Yokohama, including Associate Brands and Private Brands. Specific details, including in-line adjustments, will be announced at a later date.

According to Yokohama, improvements in operational efficiency has partially offset higher materials costs, and tire price increases will be as follows: up to seven per cent on Consumer tires, up to seven per cent on Medium Radial Truck and Bus tires and commercial Light Truck, and up to eight per cent on Off-the-Road radial and bias tires.

“Yokohama is committed to delivering the best products at competitive prices, remarked Jim MacMaster, Yokohama executive vice-president, business division. “We will use our technology and ongoing improvements in manufacturing and operational efficiency to meet our customer needs.”