Bridgestone to expand network in India, add 100 outlets.

The world’s largest tyre and rubber company is also looking to enter two-wheeler segment in India
Bridgestone India, an arm of the Tokyo-headquartered Bridgestone, is planning to increase its retail outlets presence across India.

The world’s largest tyre and rubber company is also looking to enter two-wheeler segment in India as it aims to become a leading player in the country.

“Our channel numbers are constantly growing. Currently, we have over 400 family channel stores and now we are planning to increase our retail outlets to over 500 across India by first half of 2016,” Bridgestone India, senior general manager, sales & marketing, psr- replacement, Vaibhav Saraf told Financial Chronicle.

Recently Bridgestone expanded its reach in the south region with inauguration of two concept stores in Bangalore.

“We are also looking to get into the two-wheeler tyre segment in India though nothing is finalised as yet. We are in the initial planning phase right now,' said Bridgestone India managing director Kazuhiko Mimura.

He did not share further details on the two-wheeler foray. Meanwhile, the company on Wednesday launched a fuel-efficient range of tyres under the Ecopia brand for passenger vehicles.

Under the Ecopia range, it rolled out two tyre ranges — EP150 and EP850 — to cater to small and mid-sized passenger cars like Swift and Amaze as well as sports utility vehicles like Scorpio and Fortuner.

The company claimed EP150 tyres will provide 7 per cent better fuel efficiency in passenger cars compared with the conventional ones, while the EP850 range would help in 10 per cent better fuel efficiency for the SUV customers. “Through Ecopia's fuel efficiency, Bridgestone can contribute towards the reduction of CO2 emissions in India, while enabling Indian drivers to achieve fuel savings,” Mimura said.

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