SHERIDAN, WYOMING - December 26, 2025 - Yokohama Rubber is strengthening its position in Japan's highly competitive mini-vehicle segment as it begins supplying its fuel-efficient BluEarth-FE AE30 tire as original equipment for Nissan's new Roox, launched in 2025 and equipped in selected grades with 155/65R14 75S fitments.
Fuel-efficient OE tire for Japan's next-generation kei car
The OE deal places Yokohama's BluEarth-FE AE30 at the heart of one of Japan's most important volume segments: compact, city-focused mini-vehicles. Built under the BluEarth brand concept of being "environmentally, human, and socially friendly," the BluEarth-FE AE30 is positioned as a standard tire that balances rolling resistance, safety and comfort - critical factors for OEMs seeking to meet fuel-efficiency regulations and customer expectations in urban use.
For Nissan, selecting this specification as OE on the new Roox supports its promise of a mini-vehicle that families can "drive with peace of mind." The model combines a comfortable interior layout with advanced driver-assistance and safety systems such as the Intelligent Around View Monitor with moving object detection and 3D view functionality, so a low-noise, compliant tire is an important part of the overall product experience.
Balancing efficiency, comfort and lifecycle performance
Yokohama Rubber highlights that the BluEarth-FE AE30 delivers strong fuel efficiency together with a high level of quietness, ride comfort and long tread life. This mix is increasingly important for fleet and private buyers in Japan, where kei cars are used intensively for commuting, logistics, and urban family driving.
Instead of focusing solely on low rolling resistance, the compound, construction and tread design are engineered to:
- Reduce energy loss while maintaining grip in everyday conditions
- Limit pattern noise to support the Roox's quiet cabin concept
- Deliver predictable, stable handling on city streets and ring roads
- Extend service life, lowering total cost of ownership for operators
For dealers and service networks, this positions the BluEarth-FE AE30 as an attractive replacement tire aligned with the vehicle's original ride and efficiency profile.
Supporting OEMs across ICE, hybrid and EV platforms
The Roox fitment also reinforces Yokohama Rubber's broader OE strategy. The company is actively developing BluEarth technology for factory installation on a wide range of vehicle types, from conventional gasoline models to hybrids and EVs, including sedans, SUVs, sports cars and compact cars.
By adding the new Nissan Roox to its OE roster, Yokohama expands its presence in:
- The Japanese mini-vehicle class, a key proving ground for efficiency technologies
- Electrified and low-emission platforms where tire rolling resistance and durability directly influence range and emissions
- Global OEM programs that increasingly require tire partners to contribute to sustainability narratives as well as driving dynamics
This vertical integration from R&D to OE fitment helps Yokohama build long-term technical partnerships with automakers, while offering differentiation for dealers and end customers.
Strategic role in Yokohama's BluEarth portfolio
The BluEarth-FE AE30's selection for the Roox illustrates Yokohama's strategy of using its BluEarth technology as a modular platform across multiple segments and OEM programs. The company is "aggressively" expanding the range of models factory-equipped with BluEarth-based tires, leveraging:
- Shared compound and carcass technologies for fuel-efficient tires
- Tailored tuning for vehicle-specific comfort and handling targets
- A global brand message centred on environmental performance and everyday usability
For business customers, this translates into a clear value proposition: OEM-approved, fuel-efficient tires that support regulatory compliance and CO₂ objectives while maintaining the comfort and durability expected in everyday use.
For full details on Yokohama Rubber's BluEarth tire portfolio and global activities, visit https://www.y-yokohama.com/global/.