TOKYO—Bridgestone Corp. expects to complete around 100 original equipment fitments this year, having already secured 45 fitments on 15 vehicle models since Jan. 1.
Models featuring Bridgestone as OE include the Ferrari Portofino, Porsche Cayenne, Mercedes A-Class and C-Class as well as Audi A1, A6, A7 and Q2.
In a news release, Bridgestone attributed its progress to a "tailoring approach," which involves close cooperation with OEMs "to create tire fitments fine-tuned to their specific demands."
Bridgestone, for instance, can meet specific demands through the development of advanced tread patterns to provide tighter cornering abilities by strengthening the sidewalls; or using nanosilica mixing technology to minimize wear and extend tire life.
Where Lexus and Mercedes wanted to offer security in the event of a blowout or punctured tire, Bridgestone said it accommodated by incorporating run-flat technology into its Turanza T005.
For the Ferrari Portofino, Bridgestone integrated RFT in its Potenza S007, which is designed to blend high G cornering with high-speed durability.
And for Porsche, which required dry-handling targets for the new generation of its Cayenne range, Bridgestone created "a unique sporty high silica compound" that delivered on these unique targets for dry weather performance.
The Porsche range features 21-inch Bridgestone Dueler H/P Sport tire which the tire maker claims to be also "best-in-class" for wet handling.