Bridgestone to Go Global With Ecopia

In April Bridgestone launched its ‘Ecopia’ range of fuel efficient tyres, said to reduce rolling resistance by some 30 per cent. Despite a slight price premium in its home market of about 20 per cent over a standard tyre, the Japanese manufacturer holds sufficient confidence in the product to proceed with its global release. Targeted markets include Europe and North America.

The Ecopia will compete with Michelin’s Energy Saver line-up, which had its European, Middle East, South African and South American debut in early 2008. The Bridgestone product delivers fuel economy improvements of up to five per cent, while its French rival is said to generate savings of almost 0.2 litres per hundred kilometres.