Net Profit To Triple This Year For Bridgestone

A poll of analysts suggests that Bridgestone’s net profit for 2002 will treble. The forecast is for a net profit of 57.7 billion Yen (500.

5 m Euro), compared with the 2001 figure of 17.7 billion Yen (152.3 m Euro).

Analysts believe that the corporation is slowly putting the Firestone debacle behind it and there are hopes of a reconciliation with Ford. Other factors causing optimism include the weak Yen and an increase in Bridgestone’s business with GM..