Bridgestone opens proving ground in Thailand

ERJ staff report (DS)

Nongkhae, Saraburi province, Thailand -- Bridgestone has opened a test track adjacent to its tyre factory in Nongkhae, Saraburi province. Thailand.

The company said in March 2007 that it intended to build a 54- hectare test track and proving ground close to its existing tyre factory in Nongkhae, Saraburi province. The company expected to invest around Baht 1170 million (€26 million) in the facility.

In the latest release the company said it intends to invest around Yen 10 000 million (Euro 85 million) to strengthen research and development in Thailand. The track has been designed to simulate conditions on Thai and other Asian roads. In 2007 the company said the new track will offer a 3.3-km oval track for high speed evaluations; a handling track and large wetted skid pan area and a special surface track designed to help evaluate noise and ride comfort. In addition 4.8 ha was to be set aside for specific tests and evaluations.

Thai Bridgestone opened a previous proving ground in 1996 next to the same plant. Management said the older track could not meet the needs of Bridgestone's Thai activities for the future, notably with respect to high speed driving.

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Press release from Bridgestone (Japanese language)

Press release from Bridgestone (automatically translated into English)

ERJ News story from March 2007