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News

New Firestone Trailer Tire is Ultra Fuel-Efficient, Long-WearingFirestone FT455 PLUS is approved for use on SmartWaySM-certified trailers

MUSCATINE, Iowa (Feb. 8, 2010) - Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions (BBTS), a division of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, is introducing the new Firestone-brand FT455 PLUS trailer tire. Built for exceptional fuel efficiency without sacrificing removal mileage, the FT455 PLUS is approved for use on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SmartWaySM-certified equipment and is ideal for fleets running California Air Resources Board (CARB)-compliant vehicles. The FT455 PLUS is designed for free-rolling positions, including trailer axles, tag axles and converter dollies. This tire will be available in March.

The tire was introduced Saturday, Feb. 6, at the Bridgestone Bandag Executive Symposium, a new annual meeting for Bridgestone and Firestone new tire dealers, and Bandag retread tire dealers. The meeting runs through today in Marco Island, Florida.

“Building on the ultra-economical performance of the Firestone FT455, the new FT455 PLUS radial adds innovative cap, base and sidewall compounding for exceptionally low rolling resistance,” said Chris Hoffman, Manager, TBR & Retread Product Marketing, BBTS. “With traditional tandem drive tractors pulling single trailers, our research has found about 43 percent of tire fuel economy was attributable to trailer tires. Selecting the right tire for the job helps our fleet customers cut their cost per mile while meeting the technology recommendations of the SmartWay transportation partnership.”

“The FT455 PLUS trailer radials also meet California’s CARB requirements today. Starting this year, all 2011 model-year trailers must use low rolling resistance tires verified by SmartWay in order to run in California. Within three years, that rule applies to all trailers longer than 53 feet,” continued Hoffman. “Firestone FT455 PLUS helps your fleet meet all CARB regulations today.”

The FT455 PLUS promotes long, even wear with its classic five-rib design and shallow 12/32˝ original tread depth. For added durability, solid shoulder ribs combat tearing and chunking damage that can occur from curbing.

Straight flow-through tread grooves and extensive rib siping evacuate water for solid wet traction.

And for more low-cost miles, the FT455 PLUS’ casing can be retreaded for either trailer or drive axle service, with four full steel belts and an all-steel casing ply.

The ultra-fuel-efficient FT455 PLUS trailer radial is being introduced in the 295/75R22.5 size with a “G” load rating.

SmartWay is an innovative, voluntary partnership of the EPA that reduces greenhouse gases and improves fuel efficiency in the nation’s trucks and railroads. This voluntary program helps fleets make the right choices when specifying for optimum fuel efficiency – including recommendations for replacement tires.

The EPA verifies low rolling resistance tires achieving at least three percent better fuel economy than the average, “best selling” new tire. Fleets participating in the SmartWay partnership may use EPA verified tires to meet their SmartWay goals.

About Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions:
Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions (BBTS), a division of Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC, manufactures, markets and sells medium and heavy duty truck tires for the original equipment and replacement markets in the United States and in Canada through Bridgestone Firestone Canada Inc. Bridgestone, Firestone and Dayton brand truck tires are available through more than 2,500 dealers and truck stops across the U.S. and Canada. Around the world, top truck fleets and original equipment manufacturers rely on Bridgestone and Firestone brand tires for long tread life and low cost per mile. In addition, through its Bandag brand, Bandag retreading dealers have access to industry-leading research and development, manufacturing, marketing and sales expertise. This combination of new and retread product offerings provides trucking customers with total tire solutions.