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Meet Bridgestone
Bridgestone was founded in 1931 by Shojiro Ishibashi (who later went on to be a prominent figure in the Prince Motor Company, that would eventually lead to the legendary Nissan GT-R) as a small company focused on developing tyres and rubber products with all-Japanese technology.
World War II brought about a variety of challenges for the young company, with wartime regulations in Japan mandating nearly all of the company’s resources being used to fulfil military demands at the time.
After the War, Bridgestone positioned itself as a market innovator frequently investing in new material research and production technologies to keep ahead of competitors.
1965 was the year Bridgestone opened its first overseas tyre plant, with a plant being built in Singapore, shortly followed by production in Thailand in 1969.
The ’70s and ’80s were a period of aggressive growth and expansion, opening up plants in Iran, Indonesia, Taiwan and Australia.
In 1988, the company acquired the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company and merged with Bridgestone USA to become Bridgestone Firestone North American Holdings Ltd.
Motorsports Involvement
Bridgestone has had involvement in competitive motorsports since the early ’80s. Bridgestone began investing in motorsports applications for open wheel racing including Formula 2, Formula 3, Karting and Formula Ford race series.
Bridgestone was also the tyre supplier to the Nismo (Nissan) and TOM’s (Toyota) racing teams for use in Le Mans endurance racing.
Between 2002 and 2015, Bridgestone was entered into MotoGP, being the sole tyre supplier between 2009 and 2015.
Popular Bridgestone Tyres
Bridgestone divides their product lineup into 5 main categories, based on the strengths of the tyre and the type of vehicle that tyre is engineered to work well with. For detailed information on which tyre is for you, read on, or contact the expert team at Donnellans today!
Potenza
The Bridgestone Potenza badge is proudly displayed on their range of Performance tyres aimed for spirited driving and motorsports.
Typically Potenza tyres will have stiff sidewalls with strong shoulders designed to provide high speed stability and responsive steering feel. The softer tread gives outstanding performance in both wet and dry conditions.
Turanza
If you’re after a sporty feel without giving up your comfort levels, the Turanza range offers a great balance of performance and civility.
With outright performance levels reaching towards the tyres in the Potenza range, Turanza tyres offer a quieter ride with an exceptional braking performance aimed at keeping you and your family safe, while run flat technology is available in several sizes.
Ecopia
Bridgestone Ecopia tyres are perfect for sensible commuting, drivers that cover large distances, or drivers conscious about their fuel economy figures.
Ecopia tyres are engineered to have a lower rolling resistance, meaning your vehicle uses less fuel. Ecopia tyres are available in a range of sizes to suit cars, 4x4s and SUV’s.
Dueler
Tyres with the Dueler name are built for rugged use. While the range covers tread patterns optimised for highway, mud, or anything in between, all models within the Dueler category feature reinforced sidewalls, extra steel belts for puncture resistance, and Bridgestone’s Jointless Cap Technology that lowers tyre noise.
Dueler tyres are tested in Australian conditions and feature silica compounds for great handling in the wet and dry.
Alenza
If you drive a luxury SUV, and are after a tyre tailored to your style of vehicle, the Bridgestone Alenza is well worth considering. With features and technology pulled in from all the previous categories listed, the Alenza tyre is a great balance of steering precision, low rolling resistance and a long lasting, durable tread.
Alenza tyres feature silica tread compounds that aim to improve performance in wet weather and low temperatures.
Donnellans and Bridgestone
Donnellans is a certified Bridgestone Tyre Centre, and we carry the full range of Bridgestone and Firestone products at our 5 locations across Melbourne.
We have over 60 years of experience in the tyre and wheel industry, and our expert staff can provide you with tailored product recommendations just for you.
Contact the experts at Donnellans the Tyremen today!
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