BRIDGESTONE BRAND TIRES ARE SELECTED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON NEW MERCEDES-BENZ MODELS

Mississauga (Ontario), July 2006 - Bridgestone announced recently that it is now supplying Bridgestone-brand tires for factory installation on the following Mercedes-Benz models:

Features of fitted tire:

• TURANZA ER30
  Enhanced driving comfort from sedans to SUVs, this tire provides quiet, comfortable driving expected from a premium touring tire.
   

Features of models:

• Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  The all-new luxury SUV boasts bold styling, enhanced comfort and legendary Mercedes-Benz safety.
   
• Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  This exciting new vehicle provides the best of several vehicle categories to combine luxurious spaciousness with a dynamic driving experience.
   

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, Dayton 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.

About Bridgestone Corporation:
Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is the world's largest manufacturer of tires and other rubber products. Tires account for 80 percent of Bridgestone Group sales worldwide. The company also manufactures industrial rubber and chemical products, sporting goods, and other diversified products. It sells its tires and other products in more than 150 nations.

For downloadable images of the vehicles, please visit:
http://www.bridgestone-firestone.com/news/2006/06images/bs_mercedes.htm