Bridgestone introducing Enliten LT & TBR tyres

Bridgestone Corporation has extended Enliten to the light truck segment, and next month will introduce the first Bridgestone truck tyres featuring the weight and rolling resistance technology.

The first light truck tyre with Enliten is a Duravis R207A tyre that Bridgestone is supplying as original equipment for the Hino Dutro Z EV, a front-wheel drive light-duty electric truck recently launched in Japan. The Dutro Z EV is Hino’s solution for the future of last mile logistics, and it is equipped with the Duravis R207A in size 195/65R16 106/104N.

Enliten strategies for car & truck

While Bridgestone has positioned Enliten as a new premium product for the electric vehicle era in the passenger car tyre segment, for truck and bus tyres it views Enliten as a new premium in the circular business era. Explaining what this means, Bridgestone states that its Enliten business strategy for the commercial tyre sector will “create new value across the entire value chain” and will link with solutions such as retreading, mobility and recycling solutions.

Bridgestone’s strategy for light truck and bus tyres combines the two strategies and adapts them to the characteristics of specific markets and regions. The stated goal is to “support the realisation of a carbon neutral mobility society and circular economy also for MaaS and last one mile delivery.”

Enliten for TBR

The very first truck tyre featuring Enliten is the Bridgestone W999, which will launch in Japan in September. Its release represents an opportunity for Bridgestone to enhance its retreading activities in Japan, and the company states its intention to “reinforce equipment and manpower in retread manufacturing sites” within the country.

The introduction of Enliten TBR tyres offers Bridgestone an opportunity to bolster its retreading activities (Image: Bridgestone)

Enliten TBR tyres will arrive in other markets at a later date. Bridgestone anticipates offering approximately 30 replacement market truck and bus products with Enliten by the end of 2024 and around 90 products by the end of 2030.