Editor’s note: Dollar amounts were converted using average exchange rates reported by Bridgestone for the applicable 2026 period. Percentage changes are Bridgestone’s reported year-over-year figures.

Bridgestone Corp. continued to outperform the North American replacement tire market through the third quarter of 2026, even as profitability in its Americas segment came under increased pressure.

Revenue in Bridgestone’s Americas segment, which includes North America and Latin America, increased 11% year-over-year to approximately $11.03 billion during the first nine months of 2026. Adjusted operating profit was essentially flat at approximately $995 million, while the segment’s adjusted operating margin declined to 9% from 10% a year earlier.

The results build on the first-half trends MTD reported in August, when Bridgestone said its multi-brand strategy and new replacement tire products were helping the company gain share despite declining North American tire demand.

Bridgestone outpaces replacement market

Bridgestone estimates total North American passenger and light truck replacement tire demand — including tire brands that are not members of the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association or Tire and Rubber Association of Canada — declined 3% during the first nine months of 2026. Bridgestone's own North American passenger and light truck replacement tire sales declined just 2% during the same period, improving from the first half, when its sales were down 3% against a 5% decline in market demand.

The gap was wider in the commercial tire market. Bridgestone estimates total North American truck and bus replacement tire demand declined 9% year-over-year, while its own replacement tire sales increased 1%. That marks an improvement from the first half, when Bridgestone's truck and bus replacement sales were down 1% against a market the tiremaker estimated had fallen 13%.

Bridgestone said new products and its multi-brand strategy contributed to the North American sales performance and that both PLT and TBR replacement sales exceeded market demand on a year-to-date basis through the third quarter.

The tiremaker also reported a significant rebound in original equipment truck tire sales. North American truck and bus OE tire sales increased 23% through the third quarter, while Bridgestone estimated overall market demand was down 2%. Passenger and light truck OE sales increased 6%, compared with an estimated 1% decline in market demand.

Americas profitability softens in Q3

The third quarter points to more pressure on Bridgestone's Americas profitability.

Americas revenue totaled approximately $3.89 billion during the third quarter, up about 12% year-over-year. Adjusted operating profit totaled approximately $347 million, down about 16%, while the segment’s adjusted operating margin fell to 8.9% from 10.8% in the second quarter.

Part of the decline reflects a change in how Bridgestone allocates intercompany royalty expenses. The change reduced reported profit in the Americas segment by about $54 million, but because the charge was internal to Bridgestone, it did not affect the company’s consolidated profit.

For Bridgestone Corp. as a whole, raw material costs also became a greater pressure in the third quarter. Bridgestone’s profit bridge shows an approximately $145 million Q3 headwind from raw materials, reversing the roughly $145 million benefit the company recorded during the first half.

U.S. tariffs also remained a companywide cost pressure. Bridgestone’s nine-month profit bridge indicates tariff-related costs totaling approximately $195 million through the third quarter.

Bridgestone tire businesses generate nearly $21 billion

Globally, Bridgestone's passenger and light truck tire business generated approximately $12.57 billion in revenue through the first nine months, an 11% increase. Adjusted operating profit increased 20% to approximately $1.47 billion, while the segment's margin improved to 11.7% from 10.8%.

Truck and bus tire revenue increased 9% to approximately $5.14 billion, while adjusted operating profit rose 11% to approximately $489 million. Bridgestone said North American replacement and OE tire sales remained strong relative to market demand and that OE demand recovered significantly during the third quarter.

Specialty tire revenue increased 10% to approximately $3.27 billion, bringing combined revenue across Bridgestone's PLT, TBR and specialty tire categories to approximately $20.97 billion through the first nine months of 2026.

Bridgestone also continued to expand its North American passenger tire lineup. The company launched its Bridgestone UltraWeather all-season tire in June and the Firestone Destination LE4 all-season SUV tire in September as part of its push to introduce more than 25 new passenger tire products globally during 2026.

Bridgestone raises revenue forecast

Across all businesses, Bridgestone generated approximately $22.35 billion in revenue during the first nine months of 2026, up 10% year-over-year. Adjusted operating profit increased 21% to approximately $2.80 billion, while profit attributable to Bridgestone shareholders increased 57% to approximately $2.01 billion.

Bridgestone raised its full-year revenue forecast, citing revised foreign exchange assumptions, the situation in the Middle East and the effects of various company measures.

The tiremaker now projects approximately $29.75 billion in full-year revenue, up 6% year-over-year. Its profit outlook remains unchanged, with Bridgestone forecasting approximately $3.26 billion in adjusted operating profit and approximately $2.15 billion in profit attributable to Bridgestone shareholders.

Bridgestone said there is potential upside to its full-year profit forecast based on results through the third quarter, but the company maintained its guidance because it expects a more challenging fourth-quarter environment, including a greater impact from higher raw material costs.