Bridgestone claims 3 million runflat sales

Japan -- Bridgestone Corporation announced today that it recently shipped its three-millionth runflat tyre. Bridgestone's runflat production has accelerated since 1999 as automakers have adopted runflat specifications on a growing range of vehicle models. The historic three-millionth tyre left a Bridgestone plant in September.

After marking one million shipments in February 2004, the following two million shipments were achieved in as little as one year and seven months. Rapid growth in demand for runflats coupled with Bridgestone's capability in developing runflat technologies and its efforts to strengthen production system are seen as the primary reasons for the fast increase in shipments.

There are two types of runflat systems. The self supporting runflat tyre has reinforced sidewalls to support the load of the vehicle even after a loss of tyre pressure. With the support ring-type runflat system, a core ring supports the vehicle in case of air loss by fixing the tyre bead on the rim. The three million shipments were of self supporting runflat tyres, which help retain superior handling and comfort while incorporating runflat assurance.