Based in Japan, Bridgestone Corporation is the world’s largest tyre and rubber company.
Certain big names like Microsoft and IBM might be synonymous with information technology, but what about tyre brands? Which ones are the most powerful online and why? Tyres & Accessories asked Internet analysts Envisional to delve deeper into the fast moving world of e-marketing to exclusively produce the following rankings.
Six First Stop dealers joined forces with celebrities from the worlds of television and music recently to raise money for charity. Coronation Street stars Bill Ward and Tina O’Brien, who play Charlie Stubbs and Sarah-Louise Platt in the show, joined Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding and the dealers on the Bridgestone stand at the Truckfest North West show at Haydock Park Racecourse, Merseyside.
Renault driver Fernando Alonso has become the youngest ever Formula One world champion after coming third in the Brazilian Grand Prix. “I am the youngest champion in Formula One and now I need to find new targets because this one is done,” said the 24-year-old.
ADAC, the German automotive association, has published its new winter tyre test results. Engineers tested tyres in sizes 175/65 R14T and 195/65 R15T – and Goodyear’s Ultra Grip 7 was declared the winner in both categories.
In the smaller size Bridgestone’s Blizzak LM 20 and Pirelli’s Snowcontrol followed Goodyear, as did Semperit’s Wintergrip. Bringing up the rear was Matador.
Bridgestone UK is introducing the R249 – a new, long distance steer tyre, for trucks of 16 tonnes and heavier.
Before designing the R249, Bridgestone surveyed almost 1,000 fleets of varying sizes in the six main European markets in order to see exactly what they required from a steer axle tyre.
Bridgestone has launched an improved version of its revolutionary in-wheel motor drive system for electric vehicles. First announced in September 2003, Bridgestone’s system was seen as an advance in in-wheel motor drive systems that use motors installed inside vehicle wheels.
Installing the drive motors inside the wheels allows for controlling each wheel individually, which supports excellent handling, Bridestone says. It also eliminates the need for the differential and drive shaft and therefore allows for unprecedented freedom when designing vehicles. Designers can allocate more space to the driver and passengers without increasing the overall size and weight of the vehicle.
Dutch wholesaler, Van den Ban, has announced that it will add a new exclusive brand to its tyre portfolio. The new brand, Clear, is already available in a number of sizes. Van den Ban says it intends to introduce further sizes in the coming months ultimately leading to 30-size strong high performance portfolio. A further range expansion is planned for next year.
(Akron/Tire Review) Reuters reported this morning that Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT) will raise prices on its branded, associate and private brand tyres by as much as 8 per cent as of 1 November. The increase covers the US and Canada, and the company’s Bridgestone, Firestone and Dayton brands.
Duke Nishiyama, BFNAT president, said in a statement: “Our tyre companies are facing dramatic increases in raw material costs. Unfortunately, these dramatic raw material cost increases simply cannot be offset by the enhanced efficiencies and increased productivity that we have implemented at all levels of our company.”
Bridgestone has been granted approval to establish a new $25 million proving ground in China follwoing a period of negotiation with Chinese authorities. Bridgestone aims to use this testing and research facility to develop a system that enables the swift provision of tyres for original equipment and replacement in the Chinese market.
It is now becoming increasingly vital that dealerships across the country understand the fitting implications that run-flat tyres bring with them, Bridgestone has reported. As a result Bridgestone is promoting its free Run-Flat Certificate Programme, which offers training for tyre dealers and fitters across the UK. To date, in excess of 600 UK fitters and store managers have attained certification, and more than 400 machines have already been inspected and accredited by Bridgestone.
Bridgestone Corporation has announced that it has succeeded with the practical application of Bridgestone Support Ring run-flat system. The support ring will be delivered to Toyota Motor Corporation for use in its new RAV4 for the European market. This system has been in development since 2002 based on technical collaboration with Germany’s Continental AG and The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
It is now becoming increasingly vital that dealerships across the country understand the fitting implications that run-flat tyres bring with them, Bridgestone has reported. As a result Bridgestone is promoting its free Run-Flat Certificate Programme, which offers training for tyre dealers and fitters across the UK. To date, in excess of 600 UK fitters and store managers have attained certification, and more than 400 machines have already been inspected and accredited by Bridgestone.
Michelin has confirmed it will end its F1 links with Williams and Toyota in a press conference at Spa-Francorchamps on Saturday evening. As expected the company also suggested it would pull-out of Formula 1 altogether if it became a single supplier series. However the sport’s governing body, the FIA, hit back at Eduoard’s Michelin’s statement saying: “If Mr Michelin is not aware of these simple facts he shows an almost comical lack of knowledge of modern Formula 1.”
(Akron/Tire Review) Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire’s (BFNAT) lone Canadian tyre plant is celebrating its 40th anniversary this week. The celebrations at the Joliette, Quebec, plant included a large family event, attended by nearly 1,000 workers and their families, as well as local and provincial officials.
“We are very proud of how far we’ve come in 40 years and are confident for the future of the plant, now favourably positioned to face world competition,” said plant general manager Isaku Motohashi. The nearly one-million-square-foot plant employs some 1,250 workers, and produces passenger and light truck/SUV tyres.
Tyre supplier Michelin is set to shed at least two F1 teams next year, online news sources have reported. Michelin currently dominates the Formula 1 grid, supplying tyres to 70 per cent of entrants. Michelin CEO Edouard Michelin is expected to announce which teams will swap suppliers to Bridgestone at Spa this weekend. Further speculation has suggested that Michelin may pull out of F1 completely at the end of 2006. Teams tipped to move to Bridgestone include Red Bull and Williams. Toyota is also reported to be under pressure to team up with the fellow Japanese company.
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