Bridgestone reflects on “memorable” 2022

As 2022 draws to a close, Bridgestone representatives reflected on the highlights of a “memorable” 2022, including: strategic appointments, commercial vehicle tyre and fleet developments, and numerous award wins.

Like other influential players in the off-highway tyre segments, Bridgestone’s agricultural team highlighted reported its most successful year of sales, with an increase in market share and OE fitments. The successes were attributed to the “phenomenal” performance characteristics of Bridgestone’s VX Tractor and VT Tractor ranges.

In February, EMIA launched its new 3-million-euro wet handling track. The EUPG facility was designed taking into consideration both traditional vehicle manufacturers and new EV players, bringing one of the most innovative and advanced tyre testing facilities to life

In March, David Almazán was named as the company’s new commercial business director. Almazán, who first joined Bridgestone in April 2016, made the move to the UK from Madrid, where he served as Commercial Business Unit Director for the South West Region, encompassing Spain and Portugal.

David Almazán, Bridgestone North Region commercial business unit director (Photo: Bridgestone)

Bridgestone’s first big commercial fleet win of the year was announced in April, courtesy of Norwich-based MA & HV Medler. The haulage experts entered into a three-year partnership after being particularly impressed with Bridgestone’s “sustained work to keep costs down during the global pandemic”.

In the middle of 2022, the results of a Bridgestone-commissioned YouGov electric vehicle (EV) survey questioning 2,000 motorists came out. Key findings included that 67 per cent of motorists are intending to switch to an EV next, due to ever-increasing diesel and petrol costs, which was a theme that was never from motorists’ minds over the course of the year.

June saw the launch of FleetCare, Bridgestone’s new tyre and fleet management solution, delivering enhanced efficiencies and reduced operating costs to fleets. Fleetcare combines Bridgestone’s premium tyres and tyre management solutions with Webfleet, Europe’s number one fleet management solution.

Awards wins and key product launches

July was reportedly one of Bridgestone’s busiest months, starting with the Turanza T005 winning the Auto Express SUV tyre test for 2022. In the commercial world, two more prestigious fleets came on board – Seven Asset Management and Hexagon Leasing.

Bridgestone also won the Tyre Manufacturer of the Year honour at the UK TyreSafe Awards in July. We prevailed in the notoriously competitive category, thanks to a number of safety campaigns and pro-active partnerships rolled out over the past 12 months, which were noted by a panel of independent judges.

Then, in August, Bridgestone’s Potenza Sport won the Auto Express Summer Tyre Test for 2022 in August.

Commenting at the time, Steve Fowler, Auto Express editor in chief said: “The Potenza Sport felt direct and secure in the wet and had a clear braking advantage, too. And with a sporty edge that can take punishment at speed, it’s clear that Bridgestone has a tyre to beat the best.”

Later in the summer Bridgestone sponsored the British Motor Show held in Farnborough, with a company spokesperson commenting:

“We brought our premium tyre range to life to our biggest post-pandemic audience, with up to 70,000 people visiting our stand. We partnered with Kwik Fit to sponsor the motorsport arena and a prominent hall at the August 18 to 21 event, in what was our most successful association in a number of years, both in terms of new sales leads and increased brand awareness.”

September saw the launch of Bridgestone’s flagship summer touring tyre – the Bridgestone Turanza 6. The tyre now set to become “a staple part of our premium line-up in 2023”, according to Bridgestone.

Tests carried out by independent test centre TÜV SÜD, indicate that the Bridgestone Turanza 6 outperforms its competitors in the segment with “best-in-class wet performance”. The Bridgestone Turanza 6 also holds EU label A-grades in wet grip for the full line-up.

In the last quarter of 2022, Bridgestone unveiled its new Olympic campaign for Paris 2024, “Prepared to perform”, with the five times Olympic Games Swimming medallist, Adam Peaty, and Olympic Games Freestyle BMX gold medallist, Charlotte Worthington as ambassadors.

Meanwhile, Bridgestone were successful at the NTDA Tyre Industry Awards, winning the Industry Marketing Campaign of the Year category for its targeted Potenza Sport marketing work.

Bridgestone’s electric vehicle tyre technologies were brought to life in November via BMW’s first all-electric vehicle since its pioneering BMW i3, the iX.

All these developments Exciting renovation plans of our head office in Warwick are being brought to reality, with staff on course to benefit from the state-of-the-art surroundings as soon as January 2023.