Based in Japan, Bridgestone is the world's largest tyre and rubber company. Operating on a global scale, the company is at the forefront of tyre and rubber technology. Bridgestone was founded in the 1930's by Mr Shojiro Ishibashi, a forward-thinker who realised that the road to success in global markets lay in an English brand name. He took a literal translation of his own name, "Stonebridge", and created the Bridgestone brand.
The company now employs over 105,000 people in 150 countries and has production facilities and test and research centres around the world.
Today, Bridgestone plays a leading role in the development of Formula One race tyres. Although these tyres are vastly different from those used on the road, it gives the company a chance to work with casings and compounds that are exposed to tremendous stresses and strains. The data gathered for the F1 field then filters down through the Ultra High Performance (UHP) tyres offered by Bridgestone.
We sell the entire range of high quality Bridgestone car and van tyres and will fit them at a location of your choice. Of all the tyre brands that we sell Bridgestone is our tyre of choice.
See manufacturer information at Bridgestone Tyres.
ECOPIA
ECOPIA is Bridgestone's flagship brand of eco-friendly tyres that focus on realising a reduction in rolling resistance. The name is a blend of two words: Ecology - Environmental study and Utopia - Ideal / Perfect.
The latest addition to the range is the Ecopia EP150, which is billed as a "green tyre which loves the wet".
Bridgestone unveiled the new tyre with the pledge that it combines top class wet safety with higher fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions.
Usually better grip is achieved by greater traction with the road or rolling resistance, however, by its very nature greater rolling resistance produces more energy and CO2 emissions, providing a design conundrum.
Bridgestone claim that by using new design and nano-pro technology, they have solved the problem and the proof is the Ecopia EP150, which has a 15% improved rolling resistance (on comparable Bridgestone products), which makes it, on average, 3% more fuel efficient and achieves a reduction of 3% in CO2 output. Initially the Ecopia EP150 will be introduced as an integrated replacement and original equipment product during 2010, targeting small and medium sized passenger cars with 14" to 16" rim sizes in 55 to 70 series.
In the meantime, motorists looking to update their existing tyres with a more environmentally-friendly alternative can currently purchase the Ecopia ER300 as a replacement tyre.
Bridgestone officials say the company plans to further expand its range of Ecopia brand tyres, "as well as extend the scope of coverage to the global market and their use on original equipment... Bridgestone will expand its range of eco-products and plans to (convert) 100% of its passenger car tyres for the replacement market in Japan (summer tyres) into eco products by 2014." ECPOIA tyres were developed at first as a tyre for electric-powered cars in 1991, In Japan, the Ecopia brand was enhanced for replacement market in 2002 as ECOPIA M881 and ECOPIA R221 series tyres for truck and buses were released. Bridgestone Japan launched the ECOPIA M812 tyre for light trucks in 2005, followed by the ECOPIA EP100 for passenger cars in April 2008.
Bridgestone are already delighted to be supplying the Potenza RE050 Ecopia as standard equipment for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class HYBRID Long in tyre size 255/45R18 99Y.
Bridgestone RFT
Bridgestone RFT Runflat tyres are of a sidewall-reinforced design and are available in a number of different sizes and patterns. They are fitted as OE to vehicles such as BMW Z4, Z8, 1, 3, 5, 6 and 7 series (either as standard or as an option), Mercedes CL, CLK, SLK, SL, A, B, C-Klasse, Ferrari Enzo, 612 Scaglietti, Maserati, Lexus SC430.
Patterns available in Runflat are RE040, ER300, RE050 and RE050A and sizes range from 205/55R16 to 275/35R19.
Ferrari chooses Bridgestone Potenza RE050 radials for Ferrari Superamerica
Bridgestone has announced that it will supply Potenza RE050 radial tyres for the Ferrari Superamerica. The company will begin delivering tyres in January 2005 for factory installation on the newest Ferrari convertible. Ferrari will equip the Superamerica with Bridgestone's Potenza RE050 tyres.
The Superamerica is a brand new innovative convertible derived from the 575M Maranello that will be produced in limited edition, powered with a 12-cylinder engine and feature an innovative rotating roof in combination with electrochromic technology, which allows the driver to adjust the amount of sunlight that shines into the cockpit. The Potenza tyres will be of size 255/35ZR19 on the front wheels and 305/30ZR19 on the rear wheels.
Bridgestone has adopted a non-directional, asynchronous tread pattern in the Potenza RE050 tyres that will appear on the Ferrari Superamerica. Wet-weather handling is an especially important consideration in Europe.So Bridgestone's engineers have designed the tyres to provide excellent performance on both wet and dry surfaces. They have designed the inner tread to optimal wet-surface performance and the outer tread for optimal dry-surface handling.
Comfort was also a big emphasis in creating the tyres, and the result combines a quiet, pleasant touring experience with superior wet and dry handling. Potenza RE050 tyres similar to those destined for the Ferrari Superamerica have earned factory fitments on high-performance cars from Porsche, Mercedes-Benz AMG, BMW, and Aston-Martin, as well as Ferrari.
This latest factory fitment for Bridgestone tyres on a new Ferrari Superamerica marks another step in an extremely productive relationship. The legendary manufacturer of ultrahigh-performance cars has ridden Bridgestone tyres to six consecutive constructors' championships in Formula One racing. It has also installed Bridgestone tyres on a series of production models, including its present flagship model, the Enzo.
New European Plant in Hungary for Bridgestone
It has been announced that Bridgestone Europe NV/SA will build a tyre plant in Hungary. Construction of the new plant will begin in 2006, with production to get under way in 2008. Bridgestone's plans call for production capacity at the plant to reach about 8,000 tyres a day in the first half of 2009. The company has earmarked 190 million euros for investment in the project. The plant will produce radial tyres for passenger cars and light trucks, and it will be the first European installation of Bridgestone's revolutionary new BIRD production system. BIRD (Bridgestone Innovative and Rational Development) is the first tyre production system that automates the entire manufacturing sequence from the processing of materials to the inspection of the finished tyres.
Europe is considered to be one of the most advanced markets for the automotive industry in terms of the high-speed driving on the autobahn (German motorway), high demand for safety and environment, and consumers' awareness of designs. The Hungarian plant will serve the growing demand for high-performance and large rim size tyres for passenger cars in Europe, as well as increasing the group's overall supply capacity there.
When the Hungarian plant begins operation, Bridgestone will have 51 tyre plants in 24 nations. That includes three plants already announced in Mexico, Brazil, and China. The Hungarian plant will be the second tyre plant in central Europe for us, an addition to our facility in Poznan, Poland.
Bridgestone On Ferrari F430
Bridgestone has announced that it has begun supplying Potenza RE050A tyres for factory installation as standard equipment on the Ferrari F430. The 430, an ultrahigh-performance model powered with a 4.3-liter eight-cylinder engine, is the successor to Ferrari's 360 Modena. Bridgestone supplies the Potenza RE050A tyres in the size 225/35ZR19 84Y for the front wheels and 285/35ZR19 99Y for the rear wheels.
The Potenza RE050A tyres for the Ferrari F430 feature an asymmetrical, nondirectional tread pattern. Bridgestone has optimized the inner portion of the tread for wet-weather driving, especially important in Europe, and the outer portion of dry surfaces. The tyres thus provide a superior combination of dry- and wet-weather performance, along with a quiet, comfortable ride for touring. Bridgestone supplies similar Potenza RE050A to Enzo Ferrari, Superamerica and 612 Scaglietti.
Ferrari's selection of the Potenza RE050A tyres evidences the legendary sports car manufacturer's high regard for Bridgestone's ultrahigh-performance tyre technology.
Bridgestone expect excitement at Hungarian Grand Prix
As the 2010 Formula One season reaches the home stretch, every race takes on increased sentimental value for Bridgestone tyres.
The Japanese manufacturer is bowing out of the sport as the sole tyres supplier at the end of the season - to be replaced by Pirelli - and the Hungarian Grand Prix will be the last [...]
Bridgestone chosen to supply tyres on new Aston Martin Rapide
By Oliver Hall
Bridgestone tyres newly developed flagship UHP tyre have been have been chosen as the factory fitment tyre for the new Aston Martin Rapide.
The Potenza S001 have been fitted as standard equipment tyres for the luxury carmakers first production four-door sports car since its launch in April 2010.
The Japanese tyre manufacturer proposed [...]
By Alex Kapadia
Pirelli has started testing its prototype tyres for the 2011 Formula One season, according to news reports.
The Italian tyres manufacturer, which is taking over from Bridgestone as the sole tyre supplier to the sport at the end of the current season, has run a prototype version of its new tyre for the first [...]
Button expects tyres strategy to play key role in German Grand Prix
Jenson Button is expecting an ‘exciting’ tyre conundrum at this weekends German Grand Prix.
The reigning world champion thinks that Bridgestone’s decision to bring the extreme super-soft and hard tyres to the Hockenheim circuit means tyre strategy will play a key role in the race.
It is the first time the Japanese tyre manufacturer has selected the [...]
UK motorists steer clear of eco cars, according to Bridgestone tyres survey
By Alex Kapadia
Nearly a quarter of British motorists would steer clear of buying or driving an eco-friendly car, according to research carried out by a leading tyres manufacturer.
The study claims that 23 per cent of Briton’s would not consider buying or driving an eco-friendly vehicle and of that number, more than four in ten (42%) [...]
German Grand Prix presents strong demands on tyres
By Alex Kapadia
Slick tyres will return to Hockenheim for the first time in 13 years as the German Grand Prix weekend gets under way.
Hirohide Hamashima, director of motorsport tyre development for Bridgestone tyres, said: “This will be the first time that we have raced at Hockenheim with slicks since 1997, and the circuit configuration then [...]
Pirelli should bring tyres that wear out quickly to F1 says Ecclestone
By Alex Kapadia
Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has called on Pirelli to introduce tyres that wear out quickly in a bid to inject more excitement into the sport.
The Italian manufacturer is set to take over from Bridgestone as F1′s sole tyres supplier at the end of the season.
And the hope is that Pirelli will [...]
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