CHICAGO (Feb. 7, 2007) – The toughest duty requires the most durable, reliable tire to get the job done. Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) has the answer with the new Bridgestone Duravis™ heavy-duty light truck and commercial tire line, introduced today at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show.

The new Bridgestone Duravis tire line is focused on delivering long mileage, durability and reliable performance for fleets as well as personal and commercial light truck users. “Duravis stands for durability, endurance and strength, reflecting the capabilities of this tire: it’s rugged enough for the toughest jobs,” said John Gamauf, President of Consumer Tire Replacement Sales, Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT).

Drawing upon the strength of existing Bridgestone commercial tire offerings, the Duravis line will include two tires for heavy-duty commercial highway use. It features enhanced technologies including a square footprint, sidewall protector, stone rejecter technology and heavy-duty construction to protect it in the most challenging environments. The Duravis brand will be a comprehensive tire line for heavy-duty light truck operators and will accommodate a full range of vehicle fitments and uses in steer and drive positions.

The Duravis R500 HD tire is specifically designed to address the needs of today’s light truck and commercial drivers by delivering above-average mileage with high durability and enhanced design features.

The R500 HD is a full-highway-depth tire featuring the company’s exclusive UNI-T^® technology for excellent wet and dry handling, designed specifically for trucks driven on-highway. Its high durability construction also provides customers with the endurance that they have come to expect from Bridgestone tires. Available in six light truck sizes, this R-rated tire represents improved speed capabilities and is available in 16- to 17-inch Load Range E sizes for a variety of light truck and commercial applications.

The Duravis R250 tire will be available to the light truck market in April 2007. Designed with all-steel casings to foster endurance, long mileage and retreadability, the R250 will be available in five sizes. This Q rated tire allows users with higher torque vehicles to sustain increased speeds.

Featuring an all-steel casing and a sidewall protector to reduce down-time from the unpredictable forces of nature, the Duravis R250 is available in 16- inch Load Range E sizes for a variety of light truck and commercial applications.

UNI-T^® is an acronym for “Ultimate Network of Intelligent Tire Technology” found only in Bridgestone, Firestone and select associate brand tires. One of its core technologies is a CS·Computer Optimized Component System, CO^®, which uses a super computer to help determine an ideal combination of tread design, casing shape, materials and construction for a particular application.

The use of L.L. Carbon^®, or Long Link Carbon, an advanced form of carbon black, produces a stronger tire, better able to resist cracking, chipping, tearing and excessive wear.

For a downloadable image of the Bridgestone Duravis; please visit: www.bridgestonetire.com/media