Bridgestone Americas Business Report FY2008

Business Highlights

Financial Overview (in billion JPY)
  FY2008 FY2007 Rate of change (%)
Factors
Sales 1,403.0 1,498.0 (6.3) -In the Americas, sales decreased by 6.3% from the previous year, due in part to the exchange impact of the stronger yen.
Operating income 21.6 51.5 (58.1) -With a significant impact from such factors as sharply higher prices for raw materials, operating income decreased by 58.1%.


Contracts
<Toyota>
-The Company announced that the 2009 Toyota RAV4 Sport will be available with its brand Dueler H/L 400 (TM) Run-Flat tires (RFT). (From a press release on Oct. 2, 2008)

-The Company's brand Dueler tires are original equipment on the latest installment of Toyota's sport utility vehicle (SUV). 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser is available with its Dueler H/T D684 II tires in size P285/60R18 114V. (From a press release on Apr. 10, 2008)

-The Company's brand Dueler H/L 400 tires are original equipment for Toyota's all-new next-generation Highlander sport utility vehicle (SUV). (From a press release on Jan. 10, 2008)

<GM>
-Bridgestone-brand Potenza RE050A(TM) tires are original equipment on the 2009 Cadillac STS. The optional Cadillac Luxury Performance package for Cadillac STS V6 and V8 will come with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires in size 255/45R18 99Y.

-The Company's brand Potenza ultra high performance tires are original equipment on the all-new 2008 Pontiac G8 performance sedan. (From a press release on Feb. 27, 2008)

<Nissan>
-Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) is supplying Bridgestone-brand Potenza(TM) RE050A(TM) tires as original equipment for the 2009 Nissan 370Z sports coupe. Potenza RE050A tires in two sizes are provided: 245/40R19 94W Potenza RE050A (front) and 275/35R19 96W Potenza RE050A (rear). (From a press release on Nov. 20, 2008)

-The Company exclusively equips the 2009 Infiniti FX with its brand Dueler (TM) tires. (From a press release on Sep. 8, 2008)


Business Reorganization
-In Oct. 2008, the Company announced a plan to rename its operations effective Jan. 1, 2009. Examples of the changes include :

-Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. (BSAH), the parent company of the Bridgestone Group's tire operations in the Americas, will be changed to Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM).

-Bridgestone Firestone North American LLC (BFNT) will be renamed Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations , LLC (BATO).

-Bridgestone Firestone Latin American Tire Operations (BFLA) will be known as the Latin American Tire Division, BATO.

-The Company announced that the Group has begun studies to drastically reduce its manufacturing capacity for tires used in passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks in the U.S. Due to declining demand for these products in the U.S. amid the global economic crisis, the LaVergne, Tennessee Plant of the Bridgestone Firestone North America Tire., LLC (BFNT) may cease most or all passenger and light truck tire production lines. Amid worsening business environments despite its previous measures to adjust its production levels, the company has decided that an additional step should be taken. The Tennessee facility will continue to manufacture truck and bus tires even if it discontinues production of passenger and light-truck tires. (From an article in the Nikkan Jidosha Shimbun on Dec. 3, 2008)

-The Company announced that it will close its Noblesville, Ind., air spring plant. The closure is expected to occur in the second half of 2009. The Noblesville plant produces industrial and automotive air springs, used as both original equipment and in the aftermarket. (From a press release on Sep 16, 2008)