Bridgestone’s 4×4 Pilot Scheme

Bridgestone has implemented a new marketing strategy for its Dueller 683, 4×4 on road luxury tyre. According to news source Strategiy the manufacturer will be hosting a free, test pilot scheme for residents of several Middle Eastern countries including the UAE, KSA, Kuwait Qatar and Bahrain, in a bid to show customers how “quality tyres can assist driving.”

Makoto Shiomi, marketing manager Bridgestone Middle East commented: “We really want to convey the difference a tyre can make to driving performance. The teams who design our tyres are some of the world’s leading experts. The Dueller 683 has been positioned as a superior road tyre but it also has real qualities on sand, making it ideal for Middle Eastern terrain. Having said that, rather than boast about it we want to let our customers do the talking.”

The scheme, which will be launched in the first quarter of 2005, will ask 100 selected SUV owners to test drive the Dueler H/L 683 for two months. Customer feedback will be evaluated on conclusion of the tests.

Motor journalists and randomly selected participants will form the test team and will be invited to give a comparative opinion on their performance, explains a UAE news source.

The tyre is based on Uni-T AQ – a technology combination comprising computer-optimised carcass design, proprietary compound formulation, long-chain carbon filler, special bead construction and a dual-layer tread. Tread blocks with a variable pitch sequence contribute to the low noise level – while Bridgestone’s Flat Force Block design provides uniform stiffness, giving improved rolling rigidity and roundness. Key Hole Sipes, which increase in width, as wear progresses, help to maintain wet grip in the later stages of tyre life.