Engineered for the environmentally conscious and cost-conscious driver, Bridgestone's Ecopia EP422 tire line is expanding from five to 29 sizes this year. It will range from 15- to 18-inch tires, fitting vehicles such as the the Toyota Prius to the Lexus ES, Chevy Malibu, Nissan Altima and Honda Odyssey minivan.
“With gas prices continuing to climb and the busy summer travel season upon us, we know consumers are concerned about fuel economy and getting the most out of their tires,” says Larry Magee, division president.
“The Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 is a great option for consumers looking for an all-season tire that offers low rolling resistance without sacrificing the performance people have come to expect from a Bridgestone tire,” he notes.
The line features several fuel-efficient technologies and designs, including:
- Fuel Saver Sidewall Compound that helps lower rolling resistance by both returning more energy back to the tire and reducing heat generation compared to normal sidewalls
- Silica to improve traction in wet conditions by increasing flexibility of the tread compound
- NanoPro-Tech (Nanostructure-Oriented Properties Control technology) improves rolling resistance and helps contribute to fuel-efficiency and CO2 reduction by controlling the interaction between polymers, filler materials and other rubber chemicals at the molecular level
- Circumferential grooves to help channel water out of the footprint area to improve resistance to hydroplaning.
The tread compound is constructed using 5 percent post-consumer recycled tires.
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“This tire incorporates proprietary Bridgestone technologies to provide improved rolling resistance, a smooth, quiet ride, and reliable wet handling and braking,” says product manager Julie Porter. “All of these performance characteristics are in response to what customers have been telling us they want and need. Further, this Ecopia line was designed for all vehicles, not just hybrids, and helps consumers to enjoy fuel saving benefits regardless of what they drive.”
The company has recently launched a fuel calculator site.
“With this new fuel calculator, consumers can see for themselves the difference a set of Ecopia tires can make every time they fill up at the pump,” Magee says.
“We are committed to providing consumers with a healthy environment for current and future generations not only through the products we provide but in every aspect of our business,” he continues. “The expanded Ecopia line and new fuel calculator are directly in line with our environmental commitment. We look forward to giving our customers the opportunity to do their part for the environment, one set of tires at a time.”
The Ecopia EP422 is a critical product offering in helping Bridgestone Americas support its parent company, Bridgestone Corp., in reaching its global goal to improve tire rolling resistance by 25 percent in all of its tires, resulting in less fuel use and CO2 emissions while driving by the year 2020 (based on a 2005 benchmark). The company also strives to reduce CO2 from its entire product lifecycle by 35 percent per sales by the same year, according to Magee.
For more information, visit www.bridgestone-firestone.com.
