Yokohama Tire Corporation Kicks-Off Los Angeles Angels Baseball Sponsorship

FULLERTON, CA (April 12, 2011) – Yokohama Tire Corporation is helping the Los Angeles Angels celebrate their 50th anniversary by sponsoring the team throughout the 2011 season. This is the second consecutive year the Fullerton, California-based tire maker is partnering with the organization (American League baseball team.)

As part of Yokohama's sponsorship, all fans in attendance at tonight's game against Cleveland will receive an Angels' 50th anniversary fleece blanket featuring a Yokohama logo. Yokohama-sponsored off-road racer and champion Cameron Steele will toss the ceremonial first pitch out prior to the game.

According to Shawn Denlein, Yokohama director of sales, Consumer Products, the sponsorship also includes a combination of signage behind home plate and in the "Angel Stadium of Anaheim" outfield; pre-game, post-game and in-game spots on the Angels flagship radio station throughout the season; in-stadium displays, and in-game announcements on the public address system and LED scoreboard.

"Partnering with the Angels, who play less than 10 miles from our U.S. headquarters, will be advantageous for Yokohama in several ways," said Denlein. "We'll receive phenomenal exposure throughout the second largest market in the country and, as we've experienced with our NBA and NFL sponsorships, it will help our dealers increase their sales through our connection with a sports team that has dedicated fans."

Yokohama's expanding sports marketing partnerships include two NBA teams, the Boston Celtics and the Houston Rockets. Yokohama also sponsored three NFL teams in 2010: the Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos.

"Our dealers are able to generate store traffic and create local consumer excitement within their communities," said Denlein. "Plus, sports sponsorships offer incredible brand visibility and are a great platform to promote our line-up of tires, ranging from the AVID® ENVigor™ to the eco-friendly, orange-oil infused dB Super E-spec™."

Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., a global manufacturing and sales company of premium tires since 1917. Servicing a network of more than 4,500 points of sale in the U.S., Yokohama Tire Corporation is a leader in technology and innovation. The company's complete product line includes the dB Super E-spec™ – the world's first tire to use orange oil to reduce petroleum – as well as tires for high-performance, light truck, passenger car, commercial truck and bus, and off-the-road mining and construction applications. For more information on Yokohama's extensive product line, visit www.yokohamatire.com.

Yokohama is a strong supporter of the tire care and safety guidelines established by the Rubber Manufacturers Association and the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration. Details can be found at the "Tire Safety" section at www.yokohamatire.com.