Better Times For Bridgestone

Bridgestone Corporation appears to have come through the Firestone recall nightmare, with first half figures showing a net profit of nearly 24.5 billion Yen (218 million Euros), compared to a loss last year of 30.5 billion Yen.

The company has increased its profits forecast by 5 billion Yen to a full year profits figure of 70 billion Yen and also announced that production would be increased at 12 plants over the next two years, boosting annual output by 8 million tyres. Bridgestone shares in Tokyo rose 6.4 per cent at the news, reaching 1,685 Yen.