Richardine Bartee
The world’s largest tyre and rubber company returns to the IAA with an impressive display of innovative tyres and technologies providing solutions for the industry’s most important needs: efficiency, sustainability and safety.
Efficiency of new ologic tyre
The Bridgestone booth (Hall 8, Stand D03) gives visitors a close-up view of the revolutionary Ecopia EP500 ologic tyre, an exclusive fitment on the BMW i3 electric car. Bridgestone’s ologic technology, first applied with BMW, capitalizes on the synergies of a large tyre diameter and narrow tread design to provide important efficiencies in aerodynamics and rolling resistance, while still delivering top-level grip performance.
Run-Flat Technology safety
On the safety side, Bridgestone displays its latest generation of Run-Flat Technology (RFT) tyres. Bridgestone is a pioneer in Run-Flat Technology, developing original equipment and replacement tyres that provide drivers with a convenient and potentially life-saving mechanism for overcoming any sudden loss of air pressure.
Sustainable solutions
Looking a little further ahead, Bridgestone displays its Air Free Concept (non-pneumatic) Tyre, aimed at providing a low-maintenance and fully sustainable “cradle to cradle” solution that maximizes the recycling of worn tyres and other resources.
An all-electric vehicle will catch the eye on Bridgestone’s stand: the World Solar Car from Kogakuin University (Japan) which ran in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge held in Australia in 2013. Bridgestone is title sponsor of this event which stimulates innovation and progress in the development of sustainable transportation, attracting 40 teams from 23 countries in the 2013 edition, and will be back for the 2015 edition in October.
Top tyre test results
Bridgestone also displays flagship products from its current premium tyre line-up, including the Potenza S001 sports tyre for high-performance cars, which will be fitted to the Lexus LFA shown on the booth. This super car pushes performance to its limits when racing on the Nurburgring circuit and is the perfect match for our Potenza family!
Also presented are the Turanza T001 touring tyre, Dueler H/P Sport and the latest winter specialists, the Blizzak LM-80 EVO for SUVs and the Blizzak LM001 – recognised as a clear front-runner in its field by the Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club (ADAC). In its most recent winter tyre test, ADAC rated Blizzak LM001 second overall, outperforming the rest of the field with the best wet grade to receive the highly prized “very recommendable” rating.
Firestone is back
For the first time for many years, Bridgestone welcomes the Firestone brand to its Frankfurt booth. Star guest is the 320 kph Indycar on its Firehawk racing slicks – symbol of Firestone’s domination of Indycar racing in the USA. In fact, ever since winning the inaugural Indy 500 in 1911 Firestone has won more Indy 500 races than all competitive tyres combined!
Today, with a very competitive new product package, Firestone is once again competing strongly in the European mid-price tyre segment and receiving support from Bridgestone Corporation as a key member of the Bridgestone multi-brand strategy. On show in Frankfurt are the Firestone Destination HP for SUVs and Firestone Multiseason tyre, Europe’s new all-year-round performer.
Safety: the heart of Bridgestone strategy
The common thread running through all Bridgestone exhibits at the IAA is safety. As the global industry number 1, Bridgestone believes that it should lead the offensive for greater safety on the road and backs this up with a multi-dimensional campaign and heavy investment in new safety technologies. The Frankfurt stand supports this effort, with visuals from Bridgestone’s international campaign reminding drivers that their tyres are the only part of their vehicle in contact with the road. All the more reason why you should buy good quality tyres, and take care of them properly!
