Bridgestone gains OE fitments on new BMW models

Brussels – Bridgestone Corp has won OE fitment contracts on BMW's new X5, 8 Series and 3 Series releases, the tire maker announced 18 April.

The company will supply its Alenza 001 as a summer tire and the Blizzak LM001 as a winter tire choice on the X5 series. Selected models feature Bridgestone's run-flat technology (RFT).

Bridgestone also upgraded its Turanza T005 and Potenza S007 for OE fitment on the new 8 Series, with some models featuring RFT.

The Japanese company said it used ‘an innovative mixing process to combine unique materials to create a tire compound’ for the new 8 Series.

The compound, it added, delivers “excellent grip in wet and dry conditions, and stiffness that would assist cornering and response.”

For the latest BMW 3 Series, the Turanza T005 was selected for summer, the Blizzak LM001 for winter and the LS100A for all-season tires, with run-flat technology included for 11 of the 17 different tires.

For the 3 Series, Bridgestone said it used 3D Virtual Design software to analyse and fine-tune the tire shape and pressure distribution.

Additionally, the company used a new compound that improves temperature control and material dispersion to enhance performance.

“We are looking forward to continuing the intense partnership... with a variety of BMW vehicles due to be launched in 2019,” said Mark Tejedor, VP original equipment, Bridgestone EMEA.

Having collaborated with BMW since 1995, Bridgestone attributed the development of many of its latest technologies, including run flat and ologic, to the partnership with the carmaker.

Globally, Bridgestone said it now provides BMW with original fitments that cover every single tire size used across the entire BMW range.