Bridgestone Corp. has reported it may use 2.6% less rubber in 2013 than originally projected as replacement tire demand in the U.S. will be slower than forecast, according to Bloomberg Businessweek.
On Feb. 18, Bridgestone said it would likely consume a record 1.93 million tons of rubber for tire production globally this year, up 9.7% from last year.
Citing a Nomura Holdings Inc. analyst, Bloomberg reported a decline in raw material costs and the Japanese currency mean the tiremaker will still see a record profit this year even with weaker demand. A Bridgestone spokesman said the company hasn’t changed any of its estimates.
