Bridgestone Archives - Page 193 of 275 - Tyrepress

Based in Japan, Bridgestone Corporation is the world’s largest tyre and rubber company.

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Bridgestone Launches Battlax BT-016

Bridgestone recently launched its Battlax BT-016 on Cambrian Tyres’ Motorcyle Trade Expo stand. An advanced hypersport tyre seen for the first time at the EICMA 2007 in Milan, it is designed to give “maximum performance to riders who are passionate about sport bikes” and features Bridgestone’s MotoGP multi-layer compound technology. Compared to the BT-014 it will progressively replace, the new BT-016 is said to provide total handling improvement in all riding modes – with noticeably better contact feel, feedback, stability and grip – as well as longer wear life and lower noise levels.

One of the focuses of development in the new tyre has been in its compound. Bridgestone has combined its top MotoGP construction technology with its latest multi-compound technology from SACT (Straight And Cornering Technology) and says this produce a sport tyre that gives high-level grip performance in braking, cornering and acceleration.

5th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

BFNAT Discusses New Tech Centre

Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire wants a new technical centre, and is considering either building new facilities in Akron, Ohio or Nashville, Tennessee, or trying to rehabilitate its nearly 100-year-old existing facility in south Akron. The tyremaker, which has some 1,000 employees in Akron and about 600 working in the technical centre, has begun talks with Akron and Nashville officials about possible solutions. BFNAT plans to reach a final recommendation in May, and, with the approval of the boards of both Bridgestone Americas Holding and parent Bridgestone Corporation, announce its plans this autumn.

4th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Acquires Asian Retail Outlets

Bridgestone’s retail network in Asia has been boosted through the acquisition of operations in Thailand and Malaysia. Bridgestone Holdings (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (BSHT), a joint capital investment between Thai Bridgestone and a local partner, acquired Shell Autoserv (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (SAT) from the Shell Group on February 4. SAT owns 64 “Shell Autoserv” stores in the capital city Bangkok and in other locations throughout the country, an independent network providing car maintenance service including tyre and lubricant sales. In addition to the Thai transaction, Bridgestone also announced an agreement between Bridgestone Tyre Sales (Malaysia) SDN.BHD. (BSTM) and Shell Group for the BTSM acquisition of eight “Shell Autoserv” car maintenance stores in Malaysia.

4th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Cambrian Tyres Launches New Website

2008 sees the launch of a new Cambrian Tyres website (www.cambriantyres.co.uk). According to the company, the site enables consumers to enquire about their nearest stockist and dealers can have access to the latest special offers, trade only data and resources; whilst all visitors can see the latest news from all seven brands along with videos, fitment guides and lots more.

Cambrian Tyres, one of the leading UK motorcycle tyre distributors, says it continues to offer its dealer’s “unsurpassed exclusive special offers” and unrivalled customer service. According to the company, this is down to the company’s bulk buying power capabilities and a dealer-centred philosophy. From our early days, our target of being a ‘one stop tyre shop’ for dealers has been realised as we have become the leading purchaser of each of the big seven tyre brands to the UK motorcycle market.

4th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Australia Upgrades its Web Presence

To keep pace with ever changing Internet tastes and technology, Bridgestone Australia has developed an updated suite of websites it believes will greatly improve the user experience, both visually and ergonomically. Emphasis has been placed upon ease of use, and the menu system adopted by the new site allows for clearer and more concise navigation. Features such as contrast and font enlargement permit easier reading for the visually impaired.

Visitors arriving at the home page will be presented with the latest Bridgestone Australia offers and brand advertisements, with animated banners and images relating to the company’s retail promotions prominently displayed. Improvements to the site’s tyre selector feature are intended to simplify the process of finding the correct tyre size for a particular vehicle, and an added ‘driving style’ tool can help pinpoint the best tyre for any vehicle model. Upgraded graphics and descriptions of each tyre’s technology, together with comparison charts, make the job on online tyre selection substantially easier.

1st February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Acquires NZ’s Largest Independent Tyre Retailer

Bridgestone has boosted its retail presence in New Zealand through the acquisition of the 19 outlets operated by Tony’s Tyre Service, the country’s independent tyre retailer. The chain, founded in 1982 by businessman and former retreader Steve Lange, and its 150 plus employees, will come under the control of the tyre major on March 31.

“I think it’s the right time,” commented Lange to the Manawatu Standard. “The company’s achieved some pretty spectacular results and it’s got a fantastic reputation in the industry. We want to take that to the next level.” Mr Lange will continue in his role as chief executive and the retail outlets look likely to retain their distinctive brand identity. “Nothing changes,” he added. “We are still the operators and a totally independent entity. I’ve been pretty careful to ensure that my people would not be changed. The consumer will not notice any difference.” The financial details of the acquisition remain undisclosed due to a confidentiality agreement, however Mr. Lange indicated the offer was very attractive.

31st January 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Analysts: High Raw Material Prices Protect Tyre Manufacturer Margins

Following Bridgestone’s recent decision to increase prices in North America, Deutsche Bank analysts have observed that high raw material prices are allowing the leading players to indirectly influence market prices. In their words, Bridgestone’s recent 8 per cent price hike is a “good indication that the oligopoly is working.” The market watchers continued: “Prices are, paradoxically, a good protection on margins.” Assuming that only 50 per cent of these price increases are being sustained within the market, this would allow the manufacturers to offset a 12 per cent synthetic rubber or natural rubber price increase, according to Deutsche Bank.

29th January 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Prices on Way Up in North America

North America market prices for Bridgestone and Firestone brand tyre lines, plus all Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire (BFNT) associate brand tyres, are to increase by up to 8 per cent. These increases, which commence March 1, 2008, will apply to OE, replacement and export market tyres in the passenger, light truck, TBR, OTR and agricultural tyre segments.

“The continuing unprecedented upward spiral of energy and raw material costs makes this action necessary,” said Asahiko “Duke” Nishiyama, vice chairman and president of BFNT. “This unrelenting escalation of costs is simply not a situation that can be managed through the enhanced efficiencies and increased productivity that we are continually implementing at all levels of our company. As a result, we have no choice but to implement this price increase.”

29th January 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone to Expand China Retail Network

Bridgestone intends to more than double its retail network in China within the next four years, reports Japan’s Nikkei News. At present the company operates 700 outlets in China, and by the end of 2012 plans to have increased this number to 1,700. Specifically, the number of specialised Bridgestone tyre stores will grow from 587 to about 1,200, while its automotive products outlet network will grow from 121 to around 500.

28th January 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

New Super Wide from BFNAT

Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire has launched a new super wide on/off highway radial. The Bridgestone L315, according to BFNAT, was “engineered for long mileage, superior traction and outstanding flotation.” The L315, with a 30/32nd tread depth, was designed for extra-heavy loads, such as front-discharge cement mixers with front-wheel or all-wheel drive, as well as dump trucks, specialty oil-field equipment and on/off-highway construction vehicles. The super wide Bridgestone L315 has an L load rating, good for up to 12,300 pounds at 120 psi. It is now available in size 445/65R22.5. (Tire Review/Akron)

28th January 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

BFNAT Super Bowl Spots Set

Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire’s sponsorship of the NFL and the upcoming Super Bowl halftime show will certainly give the company’s Bridgestone brand massive exposure. And BFNAT plans to leverage the opportunity with two commercial spots during the game on February 3.

Even though BFNAT had bought two 30-second commercial spots for the broadcast, the tyremaker produced three TV spots. The two schedule spots – entitled “Scream” and “Unexpected Obstacles” – will air during the second and third quarters. The third spot – “Lucky Dog,” a 60-second commercial – will now be used in movie theatres nationwide, and will begin rolling after the Super Bowl.

Rocker Alice Cooper and weight loss guru Richard Simmons appear in the Scream spot. The Richards Group developed and produced all three commercials. (Tire Review/Akron)

28th January 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone to Raise Prices in China

Prices for Bridgestone tyres in China are set to increase as of March, the company said. Higher raw material costs have been singled out as the reason for the changes. A company statement said price increases of between 3 and 5 per cent would take place as a cost reduction initiative previously launched by the company has failed to offset rising material costs.

28th January 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Blackcircles.com Adds Autocar Tyre Tests to Website

In partnership with Autocar Magazine, Blackcircles.com has entered into a partnership with Autocar Magazine that will enable the online tyre retailer to offer exclusive online video reviews of leading tyre brands. The video reviews will cover tests of numerous premium brands including Continental, Goodyear, Michelin, Bridgestone and Pirelli.

Blackcircles.com reports it is “delighted” to be partnering with the word’s first automotive magazine, and believes the impartial tests will help its customers make the correct and safe choice when selecting new tyres. The Autocar tests involve a series of categories, such as wet and dry braking and wet and dry handling. Motorists are able to access the video reviews by visiting www.blackcircles.com/tyretests.

28th January 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Motorsport Valencia Test Summary

The Valencia race circuit in Spain played host to Bridgestone’s medium compound Potenza for ten of Formula One’s eleven teams for the second test of 2008 on January 22-24. The medium compound Potenza dry grooved racing tyre was in action for the entirety of the test, which took place in dry conditions, with blue skies overhead on the first two days, but a mainly cloudy and overcast day three. No runs were completed using any of Bridgestone’s wet range of Potenza Formula One tyres.

Teams completed valuable evaluation work with both the latest and last season’s cars run to the 2008 regulations. New cars from BMW Sauber, Ferrari, Honda, McLaren, Red Bull, Renault, Toyota and Williams and were all put through their paces along with older cars from some of these teams as well as Force India and Toro Rosso. Super Aguri were not present at this test. Bridgestone Potenza Formula One tyres will be in use next week at Barcelona on 1-3 February, where Bridgestone’s hard compound Potenza will be used for the first time this year.

25th January 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Tyremakers, Safety Group Cannot Appeal TPMS Decision

An attempt to challenge a NHTSA rule that allows vehicle manufacturers to fit US market cars with indirect TPMS systems rather than a direct system has been dismissed by the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The plaintiffs – consumer advocacy group Public Citizen, tyre manufacturers Goodyear, Bridgestone Firestone, Cooper and Pirelli, plus the Tire Industry Association, argued that the final NHTSA regulations fell far short of those intended by Congress. However, after examining paperwork submitted by Public Citizen following a similar decision six months ago, the court on January 22 again decided that it can see no compelling evidence that the shortcomings of indirect systems – the additional time taken to signal a loss of pressure, and compatibility issues – would create an injury risk for consumers.

25th January 2008/by Tyrepress Editors