TOKYO (Dec. 28. 2009)—Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. will increase prices on its exported car, light truck, truck and bus and OTR tires up to 15 percent beginning in January.

The price hikes do not affect Yokohama tires in the U.S., where the tire maker’s U.S. subsidiary, Yokohama Tire Corp., raised prices on all its consumer tires by up to 6 percent, effective Jan. 1, according to a YTC spokesman.

The YRC price increases apply to all other overseas markets, except for Japan, and a larger markup may be applied to specific regions and products. The tire maker said the hikes were a reaction to the increased costs of raw materials, including natural rubber and crude oil.