Here’s a little riddle: what do Yokohama, Falken, Toyo and Bridgestone tires have in common? Have you found it? All these brands are of Japanese origin. Yes, even Bridgestone! You may be surprised to learn that much of the tire market in Canada is dominated by manufacturers from the land of the rising sun. Internationally, the same is true. But why has this country done so well in the tire market? At various times over the last century, Japan has been in an ideal position to promote its products overseas.
The adventure began more than a century ago, just a few decades after the founding of major American and European companies such as Goodyear and Pirelli and the invention of the modern tire by John Dunlop. At the time, rubber in Japan was mainly used in the manufacture of electrical wires. It is a recent import resource, only abundant since the opening of their borders by the new emperor. It was in 1917 that the Americans at BFGoodrich saw a new business opportunity in Asia. Joining forces with Yokohama Cable Manufacturing, they founded a joint company on October 13. This company is now known as the Yokohama Rubber Company. In 1931, it was the turn of Shojiro Ishibashi (whose name literally means stone bridge) to found his company, Bridgestone.
The expansion of the tire world was unfortunately paralyzed by a certain world conflict, which severely affected Japan. By the end of 1945, the economy was in a state of repair and the presence of Americans on Japanese soil once again led to advantageous trade treaties. It is in this era of renewal that the Toyo Tire & Rubber Company was born. Two decades later, in 1966, it became one of the first companies to make a major breakthrough in the American market. This marked the beginning of a long era of prosperity in which technology played a central role, which would not end until the end of the 1990s. Shortly before the culmination of this golden age, in 1983, the Sumitomo Rubber Company, itself in business since 1907 and the result of an investment by Dunlop, founded a division for its performance tires: Falken. A few years later, in 1988, the company made a dramatic entry into the North American market. Recognized in the world of motorsports, the brand is still popular today among thrill seekers around the world.
In addition to their origins, these brands have another thing in common: they all represent everything that Japan is known for today: the exceptional quality of their products and the innovation of their technology. If the automotive world is full of Japanese products today, it is as much because of their prominence among Americans as it is because of their phenomenal design. And this is why Blackcircles Canada offers you those quality products!
