TOKYO (Nov. 18, 2005) — Bridgestone Corp. will raise prices for replacement market tires in Japan on Feb. 1 by 5 to 10 percent, depending on type.
The specific increases are: 5 percent for passenger and light truck tires; 7 percent for truck and bus tires; 7 percent for bias-ply construction vehicle tires; 10 percent for radial construction vehicle tires; and 5 percent for other kinds of tires (excluding those for motorcycles) and for tubes and flaps.
Prices for winter tires will be increased on April 1.
Tokyo-based Bridgestone cited higher prices for synthetic rubber, carbon black and other materials, such as steel cord, as well as structural problems with global supply and demand for its decision.
Bridgestone said it “has endeavored to offset the rises in raw material prices through improvements in productivity and cost savings. But those rises have proved too large and persistent to absorb entirely through internal measures.”