Bridgestone launches Firestone tyre brand for cars, SUVs

Mumbai, Aug 26 (PTI) Japanese tyre major BridgestoneCorporation today introduced America’s legendary tyre brandFirestone with the Firestone FR500 for cars and FirestoneDestination LE02 for SUVs. Firestone, a 116-year-old brand, will focus on thepassenger car and SUV segments in the initial phase with thenew brand, the company said here. The new brand of tyres will be manufactured at its plantsin Chakan, Pune and Kheda near Indore. The company did notoffer the pricing details, though. Launching the Firestone brand, Bridgestone India ManagingDirector Kazuhiko Mimura said, over the past few years, Indiahas emerged as one of the fastest growing automotive marketsin the world. Firestone will focus on the passenger car andSUV segments initially and subsequently expand the size range. "We hope to garner our fair share of the market through awide network of dealerships and superior quality and service,"Mimura said. Firestone was founder in 1900 at Akron, Ohio, by HarveyFirestone and in 1988, Bridgestone Corporation of Japanacquired all operations of Firestone, transforming Bridgestoneinto one of the world’s largest tire and rubber companies. Bridgestone entered the country in 1996 and in March1998 it set up its first manufacturing facility at Kheda inMadhya Pradesh, and expanded to Chakan, Pune in 2013. Apart from tyres, the Tokyo-based firm also manufactures abroad range of diversified products including industrialrubber, chemical products and sporting goods sold in over 150markets. PTI BEN DK DKABIRDS