Bridgestone satisfied with Greatec super single supply

July 14, 2004

Bridgestone Corp. held off on formally announcing the North American availablity of its Greatec super single medium truck tire until now in order to ensure that the product's supply was adequate, according to Don Darden, manager of marketing communications and advertising for Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire LLC (BFNT).

The tire, which was officially introduced to the North American market one year ago, has been available to BFNT dealers, truck stops and original equipment manufacturers since this past April, says Darden.

But BFNT had been quiet about availability while supply issues were addressed, including production delays stemming from a fire that damaged part of Bridgestone Corp.'s Tochigi, Japan, plant last September. All Greatec tires are produced at the Tochigi facility.

"If you're going to sell your product to fleets, you've got to have it out on the road. It's difficult for us to get fleets to buy into the (super single) concept if there isn't anything available."

BFNT officials are directing the Greatec at long haul fleets "that gross out before they cube out" and are primarily interested in weight savings, says Darden.

The Greatec has been used in Japan and Europe for years.