Ho Chi Minh City (25 September 2014) – Bridgestone Tire Sales Vietnam LLC. today launched its new product – R158 tires, specially meant for heavy buses and long-distance coaches. Targeting overnight coaches which require a high-level of comfort for its passengers, the R158 is characterized by its outstanding quiet feature and advanced technology which increases tire life and safety for its passengers. In order for passengers to experience the R158 for themselves, the Bridgestone team organized the R158 test drive event for 35 participants, traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to Ho Tram over a span of two days from 20 to 21 September. This is the first test drive for buses to be held in Vietnam and participants came from Bridgestone’s fleet customers and dealers from across the Northern, Western, and Centre of Vietnam.

The R158 journey, which began at Movenpick and ended at The Grand Ho Tram, brought all passengers the feeling of softness, comfort and superior safety over the 120km route which crossed over rough roads, potholes, bends and highways. In addition, the R158 tires are unique in its advanced technology that helps increase its tire life by 10-15%. By creating a realistic experience for passengers to ride on the new R158 tires, passengers were able to feel for themselves the real features of durability, comfort and safety.

After experiencing the journey on R158 tires, Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh– Director of Service Center Tires Truck / Bus Tin Nghia Fleet point in Dak Lak, said: "Through the test drive today, I saw that the decision of using R158 is a must. R158 tires make a long trip soft and comfortable despite running across hard and rugged roads, highways or corners. With this powerful feature I am confident about introducing this product to the most demanding customers."

On this occasion, Bridgestone also took the opportunity to connect the participants of the event with some needy children in the community. Event participants were given the chance to do some charity by giving gifts to the disadvantage children at the Hoa Mai orphanage in Long Thanh, Dong Nai. In line with the Company’s mission of “Serving Society with Superior Quality”, Bridgestone Vietnam not only aims to serve society through its quality products, it also strives to bring its customers closer to the needy and contribute to the local community.

Mr. Hiroyuki Saito, General Director of Bridgestone Tire Sales Vietnam LLC., said: "This is our first test drive for heavy truck and bus tires. After this experience, Bridgestone hopes to let all passengers feel the perfect sense of premium features in the R158 tires”

Detailed Features of R158:

- Exclusively designed for long distance coaches and buses with outstanding QUIETNESS.

- Produced with advanced technology which help increase tire life and safety for passengers, such as through:

   + Silica Compound which increases the shear on the tread surface

   + Bead (parts in direct contact with the rim (wheels) of bus) reinforced with 2 layers of plastic which increase the ability of absorbing heat and harsh operating conditions

- Tread designed by  combining strength solutions such as:

   + Groove fence that helps to reduce noises caused from the grooves of the tire when in contact with the road surface

   + Rubber bands that help to push out the small stones from the tire grooves so as to protect the steel carcass beneath the rubber surface.

   + Spikes that are designed with very small grooves which enable smooth contact with the road and help increase traction.

Mr. Hiroyuki Saito – General Director of Bridgestone Tire Sales Việt Nam LLC., awarding passengers “Experience R158”	Mr. Nguyễn Quang Vinh – Director of Fleetpoint Tín Nghĩa. Mr. Võ Kim Hưng – Vice Director Hoàng Long Company ( 2nd  and  3rd  from the left side)

About Bridgestone:

Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is the world’s largest tire and rubber company. In addition to tires for use in a wide variety of applications, it also manufactures a broad range of diversified products, which include industrial rubber and chemical products and sporting goods. Its products are sold in over 150 nation and territories around the world.