Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, January 8, 1994                   TAG: 9401080053
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: A4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

NEW TIRE COULD TAKE SALEM A LONG WAY

The tire, called the Aegis LS-4, is Yokohama's first product designed, developed and produced entirely in the United States. It is being made at Yokohama's Salem plant.

The tire carries 80,000-mile limited warranty and, with the purchase of a set of four, a 24-hour roadside assistance program.

Yokohama already is running short on some of the most popular sizes of the new model. "That's what has us excited," said Rick Brennan, marketing director for consumer products, at Yokohama headquarters in California.

Yokohama launched the tire on Nov. 15 with the introduction of 10 sizes in the 70- and 75-series. It plans to have a complete range of 23 sizes on the market by March 1.

Before introduction of the Aegis, sale of Yokohama brand tires in the United States was limited to high-performance tires for sporty sedans and sports cars.

If the new tire continues to do well, it could mean additional employment at the Salem plant, Brennan said. Yokohama, which bought the factory in 1989, employs about 800 in Salem. In November, it announced a $50 million expansion expected to add another 100 jobs.

The new tire is being sold through the company's authorized dealers and is not by mass merchandisers such as the large discount stores for which the Salem plant also produces tires under a variety of brand names.

The Aegis features a newly developed tread compound that promotes constant road grip and braking, especially in wet weather, according to a company statement.