CHINA: Construction plans for proposed $90,000,000 tire plant projects, YOKOHAMA RUBBER CO.

PROJECT OVERVIEW:

Japan-based YOKOHAMA RUBBER CO. is currently involved in the construction of a tire manufacturing plant at Hangzhou, China. This facility is scheduled to become operational by May 2003. And, the company recently decided to build 3 additional passenger-car tire factories by the year 2007.

The move is reportedly intended to allow the Japanese company to supply tires throughout all of mainland China. In so doing, YOKOHAMA is aiming to position itself in the market ahead of its competitors such as its Japanese rival BRIGESTONE CORP. and MIC