Bridgestone Expands Premier Blizzak Winter Tire Line

All-new Blizzak WS90 tire provides leading control on ice

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Jan 23, 2019, 11:24 ET

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 23, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (Bridgestone) announced the release of the Blizzak WS90 tire, the newest addition to the company's flagship Blizzak winter tire line. Designed for sedans and minivans, the Blizzak WS90 tire features the latest advances in Bridgestone winter tire technology to give drivers confident handling and control in challenging winter conditions.

Engineered with an all-new tread compound that features the company's patented Multi-Cell technology, the Blizzak WS90 tire delivers improved stopping distance on ice.* Bridgestone Multi-Cell technology is specially formulated with hydrophilic, or water-loving, properties that attract water and draw it away from the surface of ice to enhance grip. As demonstrated in head-to-head comparison testing, the Blizzak WS90 tire stops at least 14 percent shorter on ice than winter tire offerings from several leading competitors.**

"Every second counts, particularly when you're trying to stop on winter roads where visibility may be poor and conditions can change quickly," said Robert Saul, director of consumer tire product strategy, U.S. and Canada, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations. "Using our advanced technologies, we designed the Blizzak WS90 tire to be the leader in control on ice and deliver maximum grip in winter's harshest conditions."

The Blizzak WS90 tire also features a specially designed tread pattern for longer lasting performance, giving drivers an extra season of winter use.*** In addition to enhanced wear performance, the Blizzak WS90 tire is equipped with the company's new EdgePerformance Technology package. Interlocking sipes in the tire's tread design provide more edges for enhanced snow and wet performance.

The Blizzak WS90 tire is available in 51 sizes and covers 86 percent of the passenger sedans and minivans on the road today. The new tire will begin shipping to authorized Bridgestone retailers in May 2019.

For more information on the Bridgestone Blizzak winter tire line, visit BridgestoneAmericas.com.

*Versus the Bridgestone Blizzak™ WS80 tire.
** Based on stopping distance in ice rink testing of the Bridgestone Blizzak™ WS90 tire (215/55R17) vs. Michelin® X-Ice® Xi3 tire, Toyo GSi5™ tire, Continental WinterContact™ SI tire, and Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2™ tire. Actual results may vary based on proper tire maintenance, vehicle, driving style and road conditions.
***Assuming that the snow season is approximately from mid-October to mid-April (6 months for very cold regions) and that an average user would drive approximately 1,200 miles per month, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 tire would last through an extra winter season vs. the Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 tire.

About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.:
Nashville, Tennessee-based Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world's largest tire and rubber company. BSAM and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers, and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies are also engaged in retreading operations throughout the Western Hemisphere and produce air springs, roofing materials and industrial fibers and textiles. The BSAM family of companies also operates the world's largest chain of automotive tire and service centers. Guided by its global corporate social responsibility commitment, Our Way to Serve, the company is dedicated to improving the way people live, work, move and play in all of the communities it calls home.

SOURCE Bridgestone Americas, Inc.