Yokohama India unveils Geolandar X-CV tyre for SUVs with 20% higher wet grip, 10% longer tyre life

Yokohama India on Wednesday unveiled its Geolandar X-CV tyre for SUVs and crossovers, with the company claiming up to 20% better wet grip and 10% better tyre life compared with a conventional tyre. The company said the Geolandar X-CV has been developed for crossover SUVs, customers seeking a combination of wet-road performance, durability, high speed stability, advance grip and lower road noise.

The tyre is available across 16-inch to 20-inch sizes, according to product details showcased at the event.

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The product launch arrives amidst rapid shifts in the domestic market shown in Yokohama's presentation, where SUV market share in India crossed the 66% mark in 2025, and 16-inch and larger rim sizes surged to around 54% of sales.

Yokohama noted that within this growth, Crossover SUVs—which feature car-derived unibody construction balancing SUV utility (clearance and visibility) with car manners (comfort and efficiency)—have consistently expanded their share. Within Yokohama's Geolandar portfolio matrix (comprising M/T, X-AT, A/T, and H/T), the new Geolandar X-CV is positioned at the top end of the On-Road and Comfort spectrum.

The company said the Geolandar X-CV has been developed specifically for crossover SUV customers seeking a combination of wet-road performance, durability, stability, and lower road noise. The tyre is available across 16-inch to 20-inch sizes, according to product details showcased at the event.

Yokohama’s testing shows the Geolandar X-CV delivering a 20% higher wet-grip index than a conventional tyre. The company said the test was conducted as per AIS-142. It also claims 10% better tyre life than a conventional tyre, based on a test using a 215/60R16 tyre on a Suzuki Vitara Brezza under controlled conditions.

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The tyre uses an asymmetric tread pattern with four wide straight grooves. Yokohama said the inner side of the tread is designed to improve wet traction, while the outer side is focused on stability during cornering and resistance to hydroplaning.

The Geolandar X-CV also uses a combination of 2D and 3D sipes, which the company says improves wet traction and tyre life. A five-pitch variation in the tread pattern is designed to lower road noise.

The tyre’s construction includes a nylon full cover and a two-ply sidewall. The product also carries an M+S (Mud + Snow) marking.

Target vehicles

Yokohama’s target applications for the Geolandar X-CV across popular ICE, hybrid, and electric crossovers/SUVs in India includes Suzuki Brezza, Kia Sonet, Tata Nexon EV, Kia Seltos, Tata Harrier EV, Mahindra XUV 700.

Addressing inquiries regarding the commercial rollout during the event, Harinder Singh, Managing Director and CEO of Yokohama India, stated that official prices for the Geolandar X-CV range will be declared shortly. The tyre line will maintain Yokohama's established position in the premium segment, with prices structured to match their broader Indian market strategy.

"So it's going to be aligned to the pricing policy which we have for Indian market. We cater to the premium category of the range, and pricing will be aligned to the same range,” Singh said.

The Geolandar X-CV is 100% localized and manufactured at Yokohama India’s primary facility in Bahadurgarh, Haryana.

Addressing a query from Economic Times (ET) Online regarding capacity utilization and required investment for the new launch, management outlined a modular production strategy:

"The way we design our factories, we make them flexible. One of the Japanese philosophies is to ensure we don't have wastage in terms of excess capacity,"Nitin Mantri, Chairman of Yokohama India said. "Buildings and long-lead equipment are already in place. As demand grows, we add capacity incrementally to maintain full utilization while never missing market demand."

Yokohama currently operates at a capacity of 4.5 million tyres per year in India, with plans to scale production up to 6.3 million tyres per year within its existing footprint.