Passenger and light truck, medium truck and bus, ag and OTR tire prices will increase up to 5%. Replacement, OE and export channels are affected by the increases, which take effect May 1.

“Our tire companies continue to face unprecedented increases in raw material costs, especially in natural rubber, carbon black and fabrics such as polyester and nylon,” said Asahiko “Duke” Nishiyama, president of Bridgestone Americas Holding Inc. “This situation has given us no choice but to take this action. Unfortunately, the impact of these rising costs simply can not be offset by the enhanced efficiencies and increased productivity that we continue to implement at all levels of our companies.”