Bridgestone investing €160m in large tire production in Japan

Tokyo – Bridgestone Corp. has announced a Yen27 billion (€167 million) investment plan to expand production capacity at its Hikone, Tosu, and Tochigi tire manufacturing facilities in Japan.

The initiative focuses on high rim diameter (HRD) tires for premium passenger cars, targeting demand for tires with the rim size of 20 inches and larger (ultra HRD).

The expansion, part of Bridgestone’s 2024–2026 mid-term business plan, is scheduled to begin in early 2025 and finish by the end of 2028, the Japanese group announced 25 Nov.

Once complete, production capacity across the three plants will increase by 3,000 tires per day.

The initiative aims to strengthen and expand Bridgestone’s global production of ultra HRD tires for passenger cars, with Japanese manufacturing positioned as “the core of” global operations.

By enhancing Japan's R&D manufacturing power, Bridgestone said it aimed to further strengthen its earning power and global competitiveness.

Bridgestone said it aimed to enhance its premium tire business with technologies like Enliten, which is designed to improve environmental and performance characteristics of tires.

The group will also employ its modular production process BCMA at the facilities to streamline production and reduce costs.

These technologies align with the group's strategy to support the growing electric vehicle (EV) market and “premium OEMs”.

The Hikone plant, in Shiga Prefecture, has been operational since 1968 and currently has the capacity to produce 55,600 passenger car tires per day.

Bridgestone’s facility in Tosu, Saga Prefecture, operational since 1970, has the capacity to produce 18,800 passenger car tires daily.

The Tochigi unit in Tochigi Prefecture manufactures 12,300 tires per day, covering a broader range including truck and bus tires.