Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO), in cooperation with General Motors (GM), debuted two new fitments on GMC and Cadillac concept vehicles at the 2010 North American International Auto Show, which started Jan. 11 in Detroit. The GMC Granite sports concept Dueler(tm) 245/40R20 tires. The Granite is a small, highly versatile, premium four-door crossover. The U.S. designed and produced Dueler tires feature a unique asymmetrical tread pattern that provides solid traction while also complimenting the vehicle’s ultramodern style. The Granite won the EyesOn Design Award for Best Concept Vehicle during the show’s opening media days.

Bridgestone’s Potenza RE-11, the newest member of the well-known performance tire line, recently earned first overall in Tire Rack’s Real World Road Ride and Performance Test Track Drive of Extreme Performance Summer Tires. The event pitted the ultimate in performance tires against each other in both track and street environments. The results were outstanding for the Potenza RE-11 as it beat the competition in several categories.  The combination of track day durability with real world livability is a key part of the “success formula” used to develop Bridgestone’s latest “Extreme Performance” tire.

Bridgestone is adding two new snow tires, the DM-V1 and LM-60, to consolidate its Blizzak tire line. They fit vehicles ranging from light trucks and SUVs to sports cars and sedans. “Last winter was brutal for many parts of the United States and Canada,” says John Baratta, president of replacement tire sales at the company’s U.S. and Canada consumer tire sales division.
“Preparation is key, and when winter conditions are severe, snow and ice tires are a must,” he points out. “By expanding the Bridgestone Blizzak tire line with these new products, we’re making it possible for more drivers to equip their vehicles with a dedicated winter tire.”

The 2008/2009 Racecraft 420S Mustang, unveiled by Saleen Inc. on Saturday, July 26 during Mustang Week in Myrtle Beach, S.C., is equipped with Bridgestone-brand Potenza tires.  The first model in Saleen’s new Racecraft performance vehicle brand lineup, the 420S comes with Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position™ tires in size 275/40R18 99W. The tire was designed to give sports car owners a solid all-season performer that can keep pace when the weather switches gears. With exclusive UNI-T™ AQII™ technology, the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position delivers in the wet and dry, even as the tire wears, and contains silica – in a specially formulated and processed compound that improves traction – and a leading edge sipe for enhanced adaptability in wet or dry conditions.

Pairing open-wheel racing’s past and present to help mold the sport’s future, the Indy Racing League and Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT), proudly announce an agreement which sees the Firestone brand assume title sponsorship of the Indy Racing League’s official development series and re-establish the series name as Firestone Indy Lights.

The National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) yesterday announced a new global multi-year partnership with Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) and Bridgestone Firestone Canada Inc. (BFCA) in which the Bridgestone brand will serve as the “Official Tire of the NHL, NHLPA and the Hockey Hall of Fame.”

As part of the agreement, the NHL will grant BFNT and BFCA rights to the League’s premier trademarks and provide numerous exclusive promotional opportunities throughout the NHL season and beyond, including: the Stanley Cup Playoffs, NHL Draft, NHL Award Show and the 2009 NHL All-Star game. In addition, the Bridgestone brand will be designated as one of four associate sponsors of the international NHL Premiere series. Commitments to the League’s controlled media properties NHL.com and NHL Network will help the Bridgestone brand leverage these League platforms.

Bridgestone-brand Potenza™ ultra high performance tires are original equipment on the all-new 2008 Pontiac G8 performance sedan.

Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires in size 245/45R18 96V are optional on the base model 2008 Pontiac G8 Sedan and standard on the sportier G8 GT Sedan. Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) is also supplying an optional 245/40R19 94W Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tire for the G8 GT.

The Bridgestone Potenza RE050A is original equipment on many high performance vehicles and comes loaded with race-inspired technology. The tire’s asymmetrical tread pattern increases surface contact with the road to enhance acceleration and cornering; its design also promotes rapid water evacuation for excellent traction on wet roads.