Bridgestone will increase the production of passenger car tires with a diameter of 20 inches and above.

Bridgestone announced that it will make strategic investments to expand the capacity of three passenger tire production plants in Japan: Hikone, Tosu, and Tochigi, which are the company's main large-diameter tire production sites. The total investment amount will be 27 billion yen (170 million dollars); the project is planned to be launched in early 2025 and completed by the end of 2028.

The combined capacity of the three plants will be increased by 3,000 units per day, mainly for tires with a diameter of 20 inches or more, which the company expects to continue to grow in demand. Earlier, Bridgestone also announced an increase in the production of premium passenger tires in India.

The company notes that it intends to expand its presence in the premium passenger tire sector in line with its medium-term development plan for 2024-2026. Tires will be produced, including using the Enliten technology, and adapted for use on electric vehicles. In addition, the strategy is aimed at strengthening the brand's position in the 20-inch and larger tire segment, which should increase the overall competitiveness of the Japanese corporation.

In the production of tires, the modular technology Bridgestone Common Modularity Architecture (tire design is divided into three modules that can be applied in the production of various models) is used, which is designed to reduce costs and environmental impact throughout the production and distribution chain by simplifying processes.

Bridgestone also intends to expand supplies of tires for premium and luxury vehicles, including electric ones, and, as the company says, contribute to the development of the electric vehicle industry.

In Russia, Bridgestone stopped production in March 2022, and now the plant in Ulyanovsk is part of the Cordiant holding and renamed Gislaved. Not so long ago, production was resumed at the plant, and it is reported that the first to be produced will be a new tire under the Cordiant brand. The company does not specify which one, and information about the new Cordiant Run Tour model has already appeared on the network.