2004 Detroit Auto Show: Bridgestone Brand Tire On Concept Vehicles

BRIDGESTONE BRAND TIRES ON CONCEPT VEHICLES AT
NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 15, 2004) - Bridgestone brand Run-Flat tires
are making quite an impression at the North American International Auto
Show in Detroit this week.  Three very different concept vehicles
presented by original equipment automotive manufacturers are on display
featuring Bridgestone-brand concept tires.

They are the Subaru B9SC concept with Bridgestone Run-Flat tires in size
225/55R19 RFT; an Acura HSC on Bridgestone Potenza(r) Run-Flat tires in
295/30ZR20 RFT for the rear and 215/35ZR19 RFT in front; and the Honda
IMAS concept with Bridgestone Run-Flat tires in size 175/55R17 RFT.

"The North American International Auto Show is the premiere car show in
the United States, and these concept vehicles represent some of the best
and the brightest ideas from the OEM design houses," said Michael
Martini, president, OE consumer tire, Bridgestone/Firestone North
American Tire, LLC. "We have worked very hard to build relationships
with our OEM customers, both here and abroad, and the result is our
participation on these exciting concept vehicles. The Bridgestone brand
is a leader in the application of Run-Flat technology on production
vehicles, and these concept tires demonstrate our commitment to continue
that effort."

The Subaru B9SC is a roadster with a hybrid Sequential Series Hybrid
Electric Vehicle (SSHEV) propulsion system, which teams a powerful
electric motor with a 2.0-liter DOHC Subaru Boxer 4-cylinder gas engine.

The car also features symmetrical AWD, height-adjustable suspension and
large wheels with run-flat tires for trail-driving capability, making it
a sports car for all roads. The concept vehicle's lower body features a
special protective paint that also wraps over the upper body behind the
doors to provide unity to the design.

The Acura HSC combines the ultimate in luxury sports car performance
with the interior comfort and handling ease of a daily driver. It
features a lightweight carbon fiber-paneled body, a racing-inspired
interior with a unique dial shifter on the center console, and a
lightweight 3.5-liter V-6 engine located midship for optimum balance and
superior handling. 

The Honda IMAS is an ultra-lightweight aerodynamic hybrid sports car
with a carbon fiber body and Honda's hybrid engine system.  The design
concept combines environment-friendly performance with fun-to-drive
sports-car performance. 

Nashville-based Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC, is a
subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., whose parent company,
Bridgestone Corporation, is the world's largest tire and rubber company.
BFNT develops, manufactures, and markets Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton
and associate and private brand tires.  The company is focused on
wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light
truck, commercial vehicle, off-road, agricultural and other tires to its
customers in North America.