Bridgestone India, part of Bridgestone Corporation, has announced that it would be investing Rs 600 crores to meet the increasing demand for passenger tyres in the country.

The investment will not only upgrade technology but also increase capacity at its Chakan plant in Pune. The said investment will be spread over a period of three years, the company said in a statement.

“Bridgestone India is bringing in its global technologies and manufacturing for the Indian market so as to suit the needs of aspiring Indian consumers that want more fuel-efficient tyres and better products to suit the improved quality of Indian roads. As a global leader in tyre technology, Bridgestone is committed towards providing sustainable mobility solutions and the current investment of 70 million euros is in this direction,” said Stefano Sanchini, Managing Director, Bridgestone India.

The Chakan plant in Pune commenced production in 2013 and today boasts of sustainable manufacturing practices including a solar power plant and a carbon-neutral biomass fuel- based boiler plant, claims the company.

Bridgestone serves the Indian automotive sector with superior mobility solutions. In September 2022 Bridgestone India introduced ‘Sturdo’ tyre with longer tyre life for the passenger vehicles segment. The tyre has a special tread compound that extends tyre life by up to 29 percent and improves ride quality on uneven roads. It also has a range of Ecopia tyres that are engineered with a combination of light and strong materials for greater fuel efficiency and to reduce carbon emissions.

Starting its operations in 1996, Bridgestone set up its first manufacturing facility in Kheda, Madhya Pradesh two years later. It expanded its facilities by setting up one more facility in Chakan, Pune in 2013, which is being further expanded with this fresh infusion. In a span of two decades Bridgestone has been able to carve a space for itself in the growing OE and replacement market in India.