Magazine for the professional tire industry
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Focus on industry Eco Products line lowers operating costs by 7% Bridgestone ofers mid-level Firestone-brand, eco-friendly commercial truck tires By Ann Neal B ridgestone Commercial Solutions, a business unit of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations LLC, says operators who equip their vehicles with its Firestone-brand commercial tires can save up to $1,200 a year. During an event kicking of its Firestone Drives America Tour in Akron, Ohio, Bridgestone ofcials talked about their eforts to reinvigorate Firestone as the company's mid-level truck tire brand. A key to that is its new Eco Products line. Previously announced at the Mid-America Trucking Show, the Eco-Products line lowers operating costs by 7%, or $1,200 a year, according to Bridgestone. Te SmartWay-verifed tires provide 19% longer tread life and 1% beter fuel economy compared to previous Firestone products. Te company credits new applications of existing technologies for the improved wear and rolling resistance of the FS591 steer, FD691 drive and FT491 all-position trailer tires. • Te FS591 steer radial combines low rolling resistance tread and an energy-saving casing design. Te tire has a wide, deep tread and proprietary shoulder design for greater removal mileage and irregular wear resistance. Te company's patented sidewall technologies promote smooth wear. A continuous shoulder ofers long, even wear and lower rolling resistance. • The FD691 drive radial has a continuous shoulder design and high-rigidity tread patern to promote long, even wear, helping increase tread life and lower rolling resistance. Flow-through design evacuates water to The FS591 steer radial has an energy-saving casing design to improve fuel effciency. increase road grip. Te tire's optimized bead design and proprietary compound in the sidewall lowers rolling resistance and improves fuel efciency throughout the life cycle of the casing. • Te FT491 all-position radial uses the company's UltiRib and Defense Groove sidewall designs to combat irregular wear. Sidewall protector ribs help protect the casing from curbing damage and abrasion. Te wider tread spreads the load over a larger area, distributing footprint pressure to promote long, smooth wear. Te wider design also takes a full-size drive cap when retreaded for extended life. All Eco Products tires use Bridgestone's patented NanoProTech polymers, a technology that limits energy loss for beter rolling resistance and fuel efciency. In addition, the company says its innovative sidewall design reduces overall tire weight to improve fuel efciency without sacrifcing durability. Mat Stevenson, vice president of marketing for Bridgestone Commercial Solutions, says the Eco Products line is aimed at small business owners. "Tanks to customer feedback, our new products specifcally cater to the needs of these owners — a lower cost-per-mile through long wear, fuel savings with our Firestone Eco-Products, and excellent retreadability, which extends the life of the casing." ■ Sports tour targets dealers, feets and drivers Bridgestone Commercial Solutions is promoting its new tires with the Firestone Drives America Tour, a cross-country road show that introduces the mid-level Eco Products line to dealers, feet customers, and professional drivers; offers Class 8-CDL holders a chance to enter a sweepstakes for a Class 8 tractor; and highlights the Firestone brand. The 2013 tour is stopping at select minor league baseball games throughout the summer and NCAA college football games in the fall. The tour is part of the company's "Those With Drive, Drive a Firestone" brand marketing campaign. Its frst stop was the minor league ballpark in Akron, Ohio, on July 16. 74 MTD August 2013