Bridgestone Archives - Page 234 of 277 - Tyrepress

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

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Goodyear Eagle F1 Wins Again

Goodyear’s ultra-high performance Eagle F1 GS-D3 has been awarded first place in a test of 11 top competitors conducted by the editors of Car & Driver. The F1 was praised for its strong wet performance and for have dry handling characteristics comparable with the best dry performers. Continental’s ContiSportContact 2 took second place earning compliments for its “very good” performance in the wet. Yokohama’s Advan Neova AD07 took third place and was praised for its grip: “If you’re looking to cut the quickest lap times while using a street tyre, this is the one to have,” the magazine reported.

8th November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Overpriced or Undervalued?

When Bridgestone recently announced that it would increase prices in Europe it was the latest in a string of decisions by tyre manufacturers around the world. It seems that no matter where in the world a company is based, companies cannot avoid the increased price of raw materials and particularly natural rubber, synthetic rubber and steel. But T&A would like to know what you think about the recent spate of price increases issued by manufacturers around the world? Are they a necessary evil, a stealth tax on distributors or just the result of prudent financial planning on the part of the manufacturing business? To place your vote and leave your opinion click here.

4th November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Brand New F1 Team

Formula 1 has gained an 11th team, although it is not certain they will compete in 2006. Former Grand Prix driver, Aguri Suzuki, made an application to compete next year in a car powered by Honda engines and running on Bridgestone tyres. However the fact that the team have to build their own chassis means the Super Aguri Formula One is facing an uphill battle to be ready in time for the beginning of next season.

The team will be based in Tokyo with race operations situated at the former TWR headquarters in Leafield, Oxfordshire, the Telegraph reported. Takuma Sato, BAR test drivers Anthony Davidson and Adam Carroll, and Super Aguri IRL driver Kosuke Matsuura are all said to be under consideration for the drivers’ jobs.

3rd November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Announces 32.5 per cent Profit Increase

Bridgestone Corp has announced a 32.5 per cent increase in profits, resulting from increased sales volumes and prices increases. While the company appears to have offset the effects of higher raw material costs, Bridgestone executives have left the business’ annual outlook unchanged.

2nd November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear to Make F1 Comeback?

Goodyear is reportedly considering returning to the Formula One motorsport series. F1total.com reports that the American manufacturer is considering getting involved in the sport as a way of responding to the improved market performance that Michelin and Bridgestone have achieved through their involvement. The F1 website speculates that Goodyear could apply for the FIA contract as soon as the series reverts to using a single tyre supplier. Goodyear could also be competing with Kumho for a future F1 contract, the website states.

1st November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Europe Announces Price Increases

Bridgestone Europe NV/SA announces that it will increase prices on all of its tyre brands and categories. It will apply to all replacement channels in all European countries. The increases are up to 5 per cent and are scheduled to take effect from 1 January 2006.

According to Guenter Unterhauser, senior vice president sales & marketing of Bridgestone Europe: “Our manufacturing divisions are facing huge increases in raw materials costs. The recent increases in oil based raw materials, as well as natural rubber and energy, puts us in the situation where we have to increase prices.”

31st October 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Reacts to Changing Market

Bridgestone UK has promoted Keith Thomas to the position of national account manager, with Simon Davies taking up Mr Thomas’ previous role as national account executive. According to Keith, the promotions illustrate Bridgestone’s commitment to enhancing its UK sales operations.

31st October 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

3363 Picks Bridgestone

Bridgestone UK and Truck Point, its network of independent truck tyre dealers, have won a three-year contract with wholesale food distributor 3363 First for Foodservice to provide total tyre management services.

27th October 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Officially Opens Steel Cord Plant in China

Bridgestone Corporation officially opened Bridgestone (Shenyang) Steel Cord Co, Ltd, in Liaoning Province, China. Bridgestone invested US$94.3 million in the construction of the plant, which began producing steel cord for truck and bus radial tyres in August this year. Production capacity is projected to reach 70 tons per day by the end of 2007.

About 100 people attended the opening ceremony, including Chinese government and municipal officials such as Song Qi, deputy mayor of Shenyang. Heading the Bridgestone contingent were Masaharu Oku, the board of directors, vice president and senior officer responsible for tyre production and distribution, Hiromichi Odagiri, vice president and senior officer, chief representative of Bridgestone tyre operations in China, Kaoru Fujioka, vice president and officer in charge of steel cord, and various other plant officials.

26th October 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Subaru Impreza to Ride on Bridgestone Potenza RE92 Tyres

(Akron/Tire Review) Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT) announced that the 2006 Subaru Impreza will be fitted with Bridgestone Potenza RE92 tyres. Impreza WRX sedan and wagon models will sport the Potenza RE92 tyres in size 215/45ZR17. ”Interlocking triangulated blocks and circumferential grooves in the tread design” enhance wet, dry and snow traction, according to BFNAT. “The computer-enhanced tread design also minimizes road noise, and the tyre’s polyester cord body promotes ride comfort,” the manufacturer added.

20th October 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Provides Tyres for Giugaro’s 50th Anniversary Car

Bridgestone has announced that its Potenza RE050 tyres will be fitted onto the Ferrari GG50 concept car designed by world- designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. The Ferrari GG50 was designed by Giugiaro to celebrate his 50th year engaged in car design. The concept model, based on the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, is the only one of its kind in the world and is not intended for production or sale.

19th October 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Announces Enormous Expansion Plans

Bridgestone Corp has announced huge expansion plans, which could see the manufacturer spend as much as 200 billion yen (£990 million) every year between now and 2008.

Bloomberg has reported that Bridgestone is pre-empting a stagnation in the domestic Japanese market by increasing investment in new factories and upgrading equipment. The company is aiming for sales of 3 trillion yen (approximately £15 billion) by 2008, with a profit margin of 5 per cent, company president Shigeo Watanabe told a Tokyo press conference. “We are aiming to capture about 20 per cent of the global market share for tyres” by 2008, from the current share of “between 18 per cent and 19 per cent,” he said.

18th October 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Increases Number of Retail Outlets in China

(Akron/Tire Review) A report by the Shanghai Daily says that Bridgestone Corp. will add 750 retail tyre outlets to its distribution in China by 2010, with some 400 of them being “high-end branded stores.”
Already, Bridgestone has 4,850 sales outlets in China, and will boost that total to 5,600 within five years. Among those are 100 Car Wings company-owned outlets, which Bridgestone says it will increase to 500 stores. Car Wings outlets sell tyres, wheels, stereo equipment and accessories.

17th October 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Settlement Could Benefit US Operations

International ratings agency Fitch Ratings has said that the settlement between Bridgestone and the Ford Motor Company could pave the way for Bridgestone to improve profitability in its US operations. The settlement, which is in relation to the infamous “August 2000 Firestone/Ford Explorer Tyre Recall” problem, will have a negative effect on Bridgestone’s financial position in the short term. Despite this Fitch affirmed Bridgestone’s senior unsecured foreign currency rating at ‘A’ with stable outlook and short-term rating at ‘F1.’

17th October 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Opens Guangzhou Urethane Foam Plant

Bridgestone Corporation has officially opened a plant that produces urethane foam for automobile seats in China. The operator of the plant is Guangzhou Bridgestone Chemical Products Co., Ltd., a joint venture company for the manufacture and sale of urethane foam for automobile seats located in Guangzhou City. Bridgestone set this facility up together with the automotive components arm of Guangzhou Automobile Industry Group Co, Ltd on 5 July 2004.

14th October 2005/by Tyrepress Editors