Bridgestone focus on winter tyres

For major tyre manufacturers, the European winter tyre market has become strategic. Boosted by the combined effect of legislation changes (winter tyres will be mandatory in 11 European countries by the end of 2012) and increased safety awareness among drivers, the market has grown by 50% over the last three years. In 2011, the winter tyre represented a third of total tyre sales, i.e. 100 million tyres.

With this in mind, Bridgestone has just signed a long-term lease with the Swedish Proving Ground. Located at Vidsel in Sweden, less than 60 miles from the Arctic Circle, this testing facility will provide the tyre manufacturer with optimum conditions to test its winter tyres for almost four months a year.  This is a great way for Bridgestone to further develop its expertise and product range.

• Guided visit of the Swedish Proving Ground : Get the winter jackets out!
  Snow handling circuits, an ice handling circuit, high precision measuring instruments and extremely cold temperatures: The Vidsel testing facilities offer the best possible conditions to test winter tyres.

• Bridgestone prototype test: Promising performances
  Lateral grip, traction, braking: In all tests, the prototype presented by Bridgestone was better than the Blizzak LM30, one of its winter tyre range flagships. An enlightening demonstration of Bridgestone’s expertise

• Bridgestone winter tyres: The best of the Blizzak range
  Bridgestone offers a full range of tyres, from the city car to the high performance saloon, not forgetting the SUV and the 4x4. Blizzak LM30, LM32, LM80 and the LM25 4x4: Four of the brand’s flagship winter tyres.