Bridgestone has launched the new B290 tyre range in India. The tyre is part of its mainstream products portfolio and is engineered for cars ranging from hatchbacks to mid-size saloons. According to Bridgestone, the new range is specially made for the Indian market to tackle poor road conditions.

The B290 range is available in 25 sizes, ranging from 12-inch to 16-inch rim sizes, available at all authorised Bridgestone Select outlets across the country. The tyre itself features a 2-ply sidewall construction, and the tyre manufacturer states that the new range is around 10 percent better in wet and dry conditions over the B250 range, which it will replace by the end of next year. 

“The new B290 range, as of now, will co-exist with the current B250 range. We will, however, phase out the B250 range by the end of 2014. With regards to price, the new B290 range will cost as much as the current B250 range, which will be available at all our Bridgestone Select stores across the country,” said Vaibhav Saraf, general manager, sales and marketing, Bridgestone India. Prices haven’t been confirmed yet, but the new range should cost around Rs 4,500 a piece for a set of 175/70 R13 tyres, which is a popular size with hatchbacks and entry level saloons. 

Bridgestone also plans on improving its brand visibility by incorporating ‘Select New’ concept stores which will also offer an enhanced tyre buying experience for customers. 

Earlier this year, Bridgestone India inaugurated its second plant at Chakan, near Pune, Maharashtra (the other plant is in Indore), which doubles up as Bridgestone’s headquarters in India. The plant is part of a Rs 2,600 crore phase-wise investment to increase the brand’s footprint in India and will roll out 4000 tyres per day by end-2013, and plans to increase its capacity to 10,000 units by end-2015.