Bridgestone Rolls Out Ecopia Truck Tire in Europe

In early September, Bridgestone released its first European market Ecopia passenger car tire. The introduction of this environment-oriented product has now been followed up with the European launch of an Ecopia truck tire range. At the IAA Commercial Vehicle show in Hannover, Germany, Bridgestone Europe CEO Mac Ohashi formally announced the line’s debut in the region.

“Today, I am pleased to announce the launch of a new range of Ecopia truck tires and retreads,” stated Ohashi. “With these tires we want to help truck operators to reduce their costs even further and contribute towards the protection of the environment.”

An Ecopia range for commercial vehicles has been available in the Japanese market since 2002, and Ohashi reports it has been “well received” by truck operators there. The Ecopia lineup in Europe differs from its Japanese counterpart: “Our development teams have now produced a range of steer, drive and trailer tires tuned for the European market of highway oriented fleet operators. This range builds on the already proven and popular R249 steer and M749 drive patterns, as you can see, which give long durability and excellent retreadability, and now the rolling resistance has been improved. We are adding to these a completely new trailer tire, the R109 Ecopia,” he said.

“This Ecopia range includes fuel efficiency, with an up to 12% reduction in rolling resistance, for complete tractor-trailer combination compared to the previous lin-up,” Ohashi continued. “The big step forward is made without any compromise in any other tire performances. It is achieved by applying new technologies.”

Currently in what Bridgestone calls the “most popular” sizes, the tiremaker anticipates a full size lineup being available by the first quarter of 2011. Most of the Ecopia truck tires sold in Europe will be manufactured in Bridgestone’s two European truck tire plants, although some additional supplies will also be imported from Japan.

Bridgestone also has developed a range of Ecopia retread patterns that reduce rolling resistance. “By introducing Ecopia patterns in both new and retread applications, we are underlying our commitment to a total tire life fleet solution,” Ohashi said.

At present the M749 and R109 Ecopia patterns are available in a retreadable option. (Tyres & Accessories)

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has named Ryan Waldron as president of the company's Americas business unit, reporting to Chief Executive Officer and President Mark Stewart. He succeeds Steven R. McClellan, who retired on April 1.

"At Goodyear, our customers are at the center of everything we do, and in Ryan Waldron, we have a customer-centric, execution-focused business leader with a deep understanding of both the marketplace and all aspects of our business, as well as a proven track record of delivering results," Stewart said. "I am thrilled to announce him as president of Goodyear's Americas business and have enormous confidence that under his leadership, both the company and our customers will reach even greater levels of success."