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Bridgestone Firestone Promotes HandlosCompany Veteran Assumes Newly-Created Post August 1

NASHVILLE, Tenn.  (July 30, 2008) – Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) today announced that Robert W. Handlos, currently Vice President Materials Development, will be promoted to the newly established position of Vice President, Product Development, effective August 1, 2008.  In his new capacity, each of the product development groups located at BFNT’s Akron-based Technical Center will report to Handlos.  In addition, the Akron-based security function will continue to report to him, and he will continue to have responsibility for the product development facilities located in Akron, as well as the company’s race tire manufacturing plant, known as ATW. Handlos will report to Yasutaka Enoki, who, as previously announced, will become Executive Vice President, BFNT, on August 1.

Asahiko “Duke” Nishiyama, President of BFNT and its parent company, Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., said, “Bob is extremely deserving of this promotion.  He is recognized by his BFNT teammates as a true leader and is well respected by the community.  We have all been impressed by his leadership and hard work on the relocation of the Technical Center, a project that he will continue to spearhead in his new capacity.”

BFNT’s Akron Technical Center is responsible for tire development and research activities for the Bridgestone Americas family of companies.  Most recently, and in addition to his tire development responsibilities, Handlos has been charged with leading the team tasked with evaluating options for updating or replacing the nearly 100-year old structure in which the Technical Center’s activities are conducted.

Handlos began his career with The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, the predecessor to BFNT, in 1984 as a Senior Engineer in the passenger tire materials development group.  Since joining the company, Handlos has held positions of increasing responsibility at the Akron complex, including Section Manager, Compound Development; Division Director, Materials Development; Executive Director, Development; and Division Vice President Development.  He was promoted to his present position as Vice President Materials Development in 2005.  Handlos holds a Bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and earned his Masters in Business Administration from Kent State University.

About Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC is a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world’s largest tire and rubber company. BFNT develops, manufactures, and markets Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton and associate brand tires. The company is focused on wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, motorcycle, off-road, agricultural and other tires to its customers in North America. In addition, through its industry-leading Bandag brand, BFNT develops, manufacturers, markets and sells retreading materials and equipment.

About Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc.:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. (BSAH) is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world’s largest tire and rubber company. BSAH and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers, and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies are also engaged in retreading operations throughout the Western Hemisphere and produce air springs, roofing materials, synthetic rubber and industrial fibers and textiles. The BSAH family of companies also operates the world’s largest chain of automotive tire and service centers.