FIRESTONE FR710 TAKES CONSUMERS TO THE CUTTING EDGE
New Firestone tire brings technology of premium sports cars to traditional vehicles

Mississauga (Ontario), March 13, 2006 - Larger sizes and wider footprints are in high demand in today's tire market, and the newest extension of the Firestone® family of tires ensures that consumers can be on the cutting edge of that trend.

The all new Firestone FR710 from Bridgestone takes the advantages of UNI-T® Technology and applies them to a tire for traditional vehicles. Bridgestone's exclusive UNI-T Technology gives the tire superior wet handling and a quiet, comfortable ride, while the wider footprint provides the Firestone FR710 greater surface contact area for improved traction, handling and cornering.

"We're pleased to bring consumers the quality they've come to expect from us in our newest Firestone tire, the Firestone FR710," said Phil Pacsi, executive director, North American consumer tire marketing for Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT). "This is the perfect step-up for the brand conscious consumer."

Features and benefits of the Firestone FR710 include:

UNI-T is an acronym for "Ultimate Network of Intelligent Tire Technology" found only in Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton and select associate brand tires. One of its core technologies is a Computer Optimized Component System, CO·CS, which uses a super computer to help determine an ideal combination of tread design, casing shape, materials and construction for a particular application. The use of L.L. Carbon (Long Link Carbon), an advanced form of carbon black, produces a stronger tire, better able to resist cracking, chipping, tearing and excessive wear.

The Firestone FR710 has a UTQG rating of 560 A B and is available in the following sizes (as of February 2006):

About Bridgestone Firestone Canada Inc.:
Mississauga-based Bridgestone Firestone Canada Inc. (BFCA) is an affiliate of Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT). BFCA and Nashville, Tennessee-based BFNT are subsidiaries of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. BFCA and BFNT develop, manufacture and market Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires. They are focused on wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off-road, motorcycle, agricultural and other tires to their customers in Canada and the United States respectively.

For a downloadable image of the tire, please visit:
http://www.bridgestoneamericas.com/news/2006/06images/fsfr710.tif