Firestone OE for US Fiat 500

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations has announced another original equipment deal for its Firestone brand. The manufacturer will supply Firehawk GT all-season tyres in size 185/55R15 82H to certain Fiat 500 models. In announcing the tyre’s OE supply, Bridgestone comments that the Firestone Firehawk GT is sport-performance tyre engineered to provide a blend of sporty handling while also offering practical all-season traction capability in many different driving conditions.

“The Fiat 500 has been a staple in Italy for decades, but has recently become popular on a global scale. With its introduction to the North American market it makes sense that Chrysler Group LLC would partner with Firestone, a brand that’s a staple in American motorsports history, for its US launch,” said Michael Martini, president, Original Equipment, US and Canada Consumer Tire Sales Division, BATO. “Linking up with Fiat for the introduction of this Italian classic in the states is very exciting for us. And Firestone is excited to help develop and deliver an all-season performance tyre that maximises the Fiat 500’s fun-to-drive handling on American roads.”

The Firestone tyres are being supplied to the ‘Pop’ and ‘Lounge’ models in the 2012 US Fiat 500 range – a line up that entered production at the Chrysler Group’s factory in Toluca, Mexico last March. The 2012 Fiat 500 has been adapted for US customers and features an all-new 1.4-litre, in-line four-cylinder engine.