TyreTalk – News from Bridgestone

Dear Sir or Madam,
Dear Business Partners,

 

Even if temperatures in many places may not suggest it yet, the tyre change season is fast approaching. Now is the right time to make the final preparations together for a successful winter season. At Bridgestone, this means above all providing you with high-performing and attractive products – premium products that enable you to meet the different requirements of your customers.

 

The highlight of our portfolio is the Bridgestone Blizzak 6. Developed specifically for winter road conditions in Central Europe, it offers outstanding wet braking performance, strong performance on snow and higher mileage than its multi-award-winning predecessor. It exemplifies our ambition to develop premium tyres that deliver the highest levels of safety, control and reliable performance, even in demanding conditions. For drivers who mainly travel in urban environments or regions with milder climates, the Turanza All Season 6 can also be a suitable alternative. It combines excellent everyday usability with reliable performance throughout the seasons.

 

However, a strong product portfolio alone is not enough for a successful winter season. It is equally important for us to provide targeted support to you, our retail partners, in your day-to-day business. Our current service and promotional offers therefore provide additional arguments to support knowledgeable and convincing customer advice. As part of our DRIVE OUR BEST promotion, customers purchasing at least two Bridgestone tyres receive an attractive voucher. TYRE PROTECT also provides a tyre guarantee in the event of tyre damage.

 

Our goal is to prepare you as effectively as possible for the months ahead, so that you can once again be the number one choice for your customers this winter season.

 

I wish you a successful start to the tyre change season and look forward to continuing our close partnership.

 

Kind regards,
Christian Mühlhäuser
Vice President Bridgestone Central Europe

Winter road conditions present drivers with particular challenges. That is why Bridgestone develops premium tyres that deliver outstanding performance across a wide range of applications, providing enhanced safety and control even in demanding conditions. The Bridgestone Blizzak 6 exemplifies this approach. Developed specifically for European winter road conditions, it delivers outstanding performance on wet roads, while also offering strong performance on snow and higher mileage than its predecessor. Bridgestone also offers dedicated solutions for light commercial vehicles. The Duravis Van Winter is designed to deliver high mileage and reliable performance in winter conditions.

 

Since this year, Bridgestone has also offered a dedicated solution for motorhomes. The Duravis Camper All Season has been specifically developed to meet the requirements of motorhomes, including the extended periods of parking that many vehicles experience, particularly during the winter months. For drivers who mainly travel in urban areas or regions with milder winters, the Turanza All Season 6 provides a high-performance alternative. The all-season tyre combines excellent everyday usability with reliable performance throughout the year.

 

For the winter season, Bridgestone also supports retail partners and customers with a range of service and promotional offers. As part of the DRIVE OUR BEST promotion, customers purchasing at least two Bridgestone tyres receive an attractive voucher. TYRE PROTECT also provides a tyre guarantee in the event of tyre damage.

 

More information on this topic:

 

Bridgestone Premium Tyres for Cars, SUVs and Vans

Since 6 July 2026, retail partners have had access to an updated version of Bridgestone TyreLink. The new platform has been further developed based on customer feedback and is designed to make your day-to-day work with Bridgestone noticeably easier, faster and more efficient.

 

The update brings improvements in three key areas. A simplified order process enables faster and more efficient workflows, reducing the time required for day-to-day ordering. Improved system performance ensures smoother processes as well as greater responsiveness and reliability. The user interface has also been redesigned, with clearer menus and icons making navigation easier. After logging in, a guided tour is available via the bell icon to introduce you to the new features.

 

Your TyreLink login details remain unchanged, so you can access the new version directly. If you have any questions, the Customer Service Team and your dedicated Sales representatives remain available to assist you.

 

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Bridgestone TyreLink

With DRIVE OUR BEST, your customers receive a reward of their choice when purchasing at least two Bridgestone tyres of 15 inches or above from participating retailers. Customers purchasing two tyres from 15 inches receive CHF 10, while those purchasing four tyres receive CHF 20. For tyres from 18 inches, the reward increases to CHF 20 for two tyres and CHF 40 for four tyres.

 

TYRE PROTECT, Bridgestone’s free tyre guarantee, provides additional peace of mind. When purchasing at least two Bridgestone tyres for passenger cars, SUVs/4x4s or vans, customers can register their tyres within 14 days of purchase and benefit from a 24-month tyre guarantee.

 

From October, TYRE PROTECT will offer an additional benefit. Six months after the guarantee is issued, participants will automatically receive a reminder to use a tyre or vehicle service at their dealer. Within one year, they can claim reimbursement of up to CHF 40 towards the cost. Payment is made directly to the participant, with no additional administration required from the dealer. The new benefit applies to all TYRE PROTECT participants, regardless of the number or type of tyres purchased or where they were purchased.

 

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DRIVE OUR BEST

TYRE PROTECT

As a partner of the German Car of the Year (GCOTY) Awards, Bridgestone supported the official test drives (GTEST) in Alsfeld at the beginning of July. A total of 25 vehicle manufacturers presented more than 60 current and upcoming models for evaluation by the 35-member expert jury. Twelve of the vehicles tested were fitted with Bridgestone premium tyres as original equipment, including models from Alfa Romeo, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Volkswagen.

 

The test drives form the basis for selecting the five class winners. From these, the independent expert jury will subsequently choose the German Car of the Year 2027. The announcement of the class winners and the final selection of the overall winner are still to come as the judging process continues. Bridgestone will also support these next stages as an official partner of the awards.

 

The GCOTY Awards stand for independent expertise and provide an informed perspective on current developments in the automotive industry. Through its involvement, Bridgestone underlines its commitment to actively shaping the mobility of today and tomorrow.

 

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Bridgestone begleitet die Testfahrten (GTEST) im Rahmen der German Car of the Year Awards 2027 (GCOTY)

From 29 June to 1 July and from 11 to 12 August 2026, this year’s sport auto Perfektionstraining powered by Bridgestone took place at the Nürburgring. Around 150 participant vehicles and 33 instructor vehicles took to the Nordschleife on the respective event days, including models from BMW, Cupra, Lamborghini, Maserati and Toyota fitted with tyres from the Bridgestone Potenza range. Experienced instructors worked with participants in small groups, providing guidance on the ideal racing line, vehicle control and driving safety.

 

The focus was on the Bridgestone Potenza Race, a road-legal semi-slick tyre designed for track use, offering excellent dry performance, precise steering response and high stability at high cornering speeds. The line-up was complemented by the new Bridgestone Potenza Sport EVO, which combines sporty performance with excellent everyday usability and, thanks to its optimised tread design, provides high levels of grip and control on both dry and wet roads. The Bridgestone Pit Stop also provided technical advice and support on topics such as tyre pressure and performance.

 

The sport auto Perfektionstraining powered by Bridgestone provides an opportunity to demonstrate the performance of Bridgestone’s Potenza premium tyres under real-world conditions and to engage directly with performance-oriented drivers.

 

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Bridgestone beim sport auto Perfektionstraining 2026

Bridgestone Potenza Race

Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Especially during the winter months, fleets depend on tyres that perform reliably even in demanding weather conditions while remaining cost-efficient in operation. Bridgestone supports businesses with a comprehensive portfolio for trucks, vans and light commercial vehicles. In addition to high-performance tyres, the offering includes digital mobility solutions and resource-efficient Bandag retreads, helping fleets keep their vehicles on the road efficiently and reliably.

 

“With the Duravis Winter Drive, we launched a new winter tyre this year that has been specifically developed to meet the requirements of modern commercial vehicle fleets. It combines high traction on winter roads with long mileage and helps reduce fleets’ total cost of ownership,” says Francesco Landolfo, Business Unit Director Commercial Bridgestone Central Europe. “In this way, we support our customers in keeping their vehicles operating safely and efficiently, even in demanding winter conditions.”

 

The winter portfolio is complemented by the Ecopia series for long-haul transport, which is designed for high fuel and energy efficiency thanks to its low rolling resistance, as well as the M-Series 002, which delivers high levels of robustness and reliability even in demanding on-/off-road applications. The offering is rounded off by digital solutions such as Bridgestone Fleet Care and Webfleet, which simplify maintenance processes, reduce downtime and support fleets in managing their vehicles efficiently. Resource-efficient Bandag retreads complement the portfolio, helping to extend tyre life and conserve valuable resources.

 

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Bridgestone Duravis Winter Drive

Bridgestone Ecopia

Bridgestone truck and bus tyres

At Steinexpo 2026, Bridgestone showcased its portfolio of premium tyre solutions for off-the-road applications. A key highlight was the new Bridgestone VZT (V-Steel Z-Traction), presented to a wider professional audience for the first time. Developed for wheel loaders and dump trucks, the VZT offers high ride comfort, strong traction and high resistance to side cuts. The portfolio was complemented by the proven Firestone Multi Block T as well as the Bridgestone VRDU, VMNT and VCHS.

 

Also on display was the new Bridgestone V-Steel Highway Service 3 (VHS3) in size 445/95 R25, available specifically for mobile cranes since May 2026. A revised tread design provides increased mileage and even wear, while a new shoulder design improves steering response and driving stability. For agricultural and industrial applications, Bridgestone showcased the VH-IND and VX-Tractor, while the truck segment was represented by the Bridgestone M-Drive 002 and the new Bandag BDM4 premium retread, which will be available from the fourth quarter of 2026.

 

Steinexpo provides an ideal platform to showcase the latest Bridgestone premium solutions in a real-world operating environment and engage directly with customers. Feedback from users on site provides valuable input for the continuous development of Bridgestone’s premium OTR tyre solutions.

 

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Bridgestone präsentiert Premiumlösungen für Off-the-Road-Anwendungen auf der Steinexpo 2026

 

Bridgestone OTR Tyres

As a partner of the MOTORRAD Safety League, Bridgestone works together with MOTORRAD, ADAC and other industry stakeholders to promote greater safety on two wheels. Throughout the season, the nationwide initiative supported motorcyclists in developing their riding skills and reducing risks on the road through rider training and competitions. As part of the motorcycle safety training courses organised by ADAC and the MOTORRAD action team, participants across Germany qualified for dedicated training events.

 

On 22 and 23 July 2026, around 140 motorcyclists came together on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Rather than focusing on achieving the fastest lap times, the Perfektionstraining was designed to help participants systematically improve their riding skills. Through intensive instruction, controlled training conditions and extensive time on the track, participants had the opportunity to become more familiar with their motorcycles and further improve their vehicle control – skills that can also contribute to greater safety on public roads.

 

As part of the final training event, Bridgestone also contributed its expertise to a panel discussion on motorcycle safety. Representing Bridgestone, Wolfgang Terfloth, Head of Motorcycle Tyre Sales Bridgestone Central Europe, joined Stefan Gerwens (ADAC), Christoph Wolf (KTM) and Uwe Seitz (IVM) for the discussion moderated by MOTORRAD Editor-in-Chief Fabian Dresler.

 

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Bridgestone zieht positive Bilanz der MOTORRAD Safety League

MOT Perfektionstraining

Bridgestone is supplying the Battlax Hypersport S23 premium tyre as original equipment for the new Yamaha YZF-R7 (front: 120/70ZR17 M/C (58W); rear: 180/55ZR17 M/C (73W)). The updated YZF-R7 combines everyday usability with precise, agile handling and is aimed at riders who value sporty handling and dynamic cornering performance.

 

Compared with its predecessor, the Battlax Hypersport S23 features an optimised land-sea ratio and increased tread pattern stiffness, improving rider feedback, dry grip and handling. The rear tyre also features the Pulse Groove tread design, which optimises water drainage and provides reliable performance on wet roads. The close collaboration between Yamaha and Bridgestone began at an early stage of the motorcycle’s development.

 

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Bridgestone’s Premium Sport Motorcycle Tire BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S23 Selected as Original Equipment for Yamaha Motor YZF-R7

Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S23

Motorsport has been an integral part of Bridgestone’s history for decades and serves as an important development platform for new tyre technologies and solutions. In 2026, Bridgestone continues to compete successfully in numerous international racing series. At the legendary Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours, Bridgestone-equipped teams secured the top 13 positions in the overall standings. Honda HRC celebrated its fifth consecutive overall victory, while the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team became the first European manufacturer to achieve a podium finish at the event.

 

Bridgestone is also successfully represented in motocross in 2026. In the ADAC MX Masters, various teams and riders rely on Bridgestone tyres, demonstrating their performance under demanding racing conditions. Changing track conditions and high loads make the series a challenging environment for riders, motorcycles and tyres alike.

 

The iconic Firestone brand also remains an integral part of international motorsport. In the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Firestone provides teams with high-performance Firehawk racing tyres for practice, qualifying and races. At Nashville Superspeedway, Firehawk tyres featuring a softer compound were used for the oval race for the third consecutive year, giving teams additional strategic options when selecting their tyres.

 

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13 consecutive wins for Bridgestone - equipped teams Yamaha Factory Racing Team 4 consecutive wins

INDYCAR introducing Firestone Alternate Tyres at Nashville

ADAC MX Masters: Bridgestone Fahrer dominieren in Gaildorf

The EU REACH Regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) addresses the impact of chemical substances on human health and the environment. Its aim is to improve protection from these substances and promote alternative methods for assessing chemical risks. It applies to almost all companies in the EU, as it covers chemicals used both in industry and in everyday life. Companies are required to register chemicals manufactured, used or distributed in the EU with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The substances are then assessed to determine which require authorisation or are subject to restrictions on their use.

 

If a substance is identified as a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) under REACH, it is added to the Candidate List. Companies supplying articles containing such chemicals at a concentration of more than 0.1 per cent are required to inform their customers accordingly.

In this context, Bridgestone has set itself the goal of gradually eliminating the substance 6,6'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-methylenedi-p-cresol (DBMC) from its portfolio in order to reduce the use of substances classified as hazardous. This also includes specifications in which the proportion of DBMC is below 0.1 per cent.

 

Bridgestone continuously develops its products and has made significant progress towards this goal with its latest generations of tyres. In the truck segment, there are already no products containing substances covered by the REACH Regulation. The van tyre portfolio has also been further transitioned to successor models without DBMC.

In the Swiss market, the portfolio has likewise been continuously developed with the introduction of new tyre generations, further reducing the proportion of affected tyre specifications.

 

More information:

 

https://info.bridgestone.de/reach/

Bridgestone Europe NV/SA

Branch Office Spreitenbach

Bodenäckerstrasse 1

8957 Spreitenbach

Switzerland

 

Legal Representative: Urs Lüchinger

Registereintragung: Handelsgericht Kanton Aargau CHE-300.064.415 | USt-ID.: CHE-300.064.415

 

Bank details: ING Bank N.V.,

Amsterdam, Lancy/Geneva Branch, IBAN: CH86 0838 7000 0010 8072 8

 

Tel.: +41 56 418 71 11 | URL: www.bridgestone.ch

 

Bridgestone Europe NV/SA Management Board: Mete Ekin (Formand), Arianna Antonella, Jerome Boulet, Jacques Fourie, Daniel Giroud, Tomohiro Inoue, Javier Juarez, Karen McDonald, Astrid Rahn, Simone Rando

 

Bridgestone Europe NV/SA Supervisory Board: Emilio Tiberio (Formand), Scott Damon, Tonny Dekker, Dean Kim