Firestone-brand Firehawk GT Tires Are Original Equipment Option On The New 2012 Fiat 500
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 3, 2011) - Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) is pleased to announce that its Firestone-brand Firehawk GT™ tires are an original equipment option on the new 2012 Fiat 500.
BATO will supply the new Fiat 500 Pop and 500 Lounge models with specially designed and engineered Firestone-brand Firehawk GT tires in size 185/55R15 82H, an all-season tire that provides a balanced performance in many different driving conditions.
“The Fiat 500 has been a staple in Italy for decades, but has recently become popular on a global scale. With its introduction to the North American market it makes sense that Chrysler Group LLC would partner with Firestone, a brand that’s a staple in American motorsports history, for its U.S. launch,” said Michael Martini, President, Original Equipment, U.S. and Canada Consumer Tire Sales Division, BATO. “Linking up with Fiat for the introduction of this Italian classic in the states is very exciting for us. And Firestone is excited to help develop and deliver an all-season performance tire that maximizes the Fiat 500’s fun-to-drive handling on American roads.”
The Firestone Firehawk GT is an H-speed rated, sport-performance tire engineered to provide a blend of sporty handling while also offering practical all-season traction capability.
Since 1957, the historic Fiat Cinquecento (500) has been an affordable, comfortable and reliable transportation solution for Italians and other Europeans. More than 50 years later, and thanks to its stylistic and modern technological features, the new 2012 Fiat 500 represents the spark of another milestone catering to a new generation of American drivers who want their vehicle to be as engaging, individualized, ecologically responsible and technologically savvy as they are.
The 2012 Fiat 500 was adapted for U.S. customers, featuring an all-new 1.4-liter, in-line four-cylinder engine with state-of-the-art MultiAir® technology. MultiAir technology offers up to 10 percent greater fuel efficiency and power while decreasing CO2 emissions up to 10 percent when compared with similar engines not equipped with the system.
The all-new 2012 Fiat 500 was revealed at the Los Angeles International Auto Show on Nov. 17, 2010. and arrived in Fiat Studios in the first quarter of 2011. More on the new 2012 Fiat 500 can be found at http://www.media.chrysler.com.
For more information on Firestone-brand tires, visit www.FirestoneTire.com.
About Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) is a business unit of Bridgestone Americas, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. Reporting into the BATO business unit are the company's Latin American tire operations; the U.S. and Canadian consumer tire businesses; the U.S. and Canadian commercial tire businesses; and Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC, which operates the largest network of company-owned automotive service providers in the world. BATO develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires. The business unit is focused on retail, wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off road, motorcycle, agricultural and other tires to its customers in the Americas. In addition, through its Bridgestone Commercial Solutions Group, retreading customers have access to industry-leading research and development, manufacturing, marketing and sales expertise, providing them with a total tire solution.