Summer06 Inroadspressagain802.Qxp 8/15/2006 2:40 PM Page 1 Inroads Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC O Summer 2006

summer06 inroadsPressAgain802.qxp 8/15/2006 2:40 PM Page 1 inRoads Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC O Summer 2006

Executive Be a Community Leader in Safety! page ...... 2 Feature Edge There is one thing that all of available to drivers aged 15-21; visit your customers are www.DriversEdge.org to see when and concerned about and that is safety. Drivers where the program is offered. Dealers page...... 2,3,8,9 hold their breath as they pass an accident, cross their fingers as their family member pulls out of the driveway, and sigh in relief when missing a near fender bender. You can also reach out to your home Truck & Bus page ...... 4,5 Everyone can benefit from learning community by conducting your own Car techniques to be safer on the road. Care Academy, an educational program on As a dealer, you are in a unique position proper car care. BFNT will send interested Consumer page ...... 4,11 to provide drivers with the tools, literally dealers a complete program kit which and figuratively, to keep them safe. We includes all the materials needed for a encourage you to talk to your customers successful Car Care Academy. This fantastic about programs and resources available to grassroots tool provides your customers Motorsport page ...... 5 them as a means to continually sharpen with a hands-on experience and really their driving skills. shows your community you care about Bridgestone Firestone North American safety. Reach out to your community Awards page ...... 6,7 Tire, LLC (BFNT) has worked with legendary members and provide priceless tips and race car driver Mario Andretti to develop a instruction at no cost to the participants. comprehensive program to educate young Call (800) 792-8807 for more information drivers on tire and driver safety called Know and to receive Enthusiast page ...... 8 Your M.A.R.I.O.S. (Mario Andretti's Real your Car Care Information On Safety). The Know Your Academy do- M.A.R.I.O.S. booklets are a great way to it-yourself kit. inform Finally, this past spring, BFNT launched a OE page ...... 9 customers new program called Safety Scholars. about safe Students were asked to compose essays on driving and tire maintenance. Hand the driver safety-related topics for a chance to Where’s M.A.R.I.O.S. booklets out at your store, earn a college scholarship or one of the Mario page ...... 10 community events, local schools, etc. and be many other prizes. The response was known as the dealer who cares about tremendous. The idea behind the program promoting safety. To request M.A.R.I.O.S. was to find new and better ways to booklets, please contact Susan Sizemore at communicate safety messages to young Environment page ...... 11 (615) 937-1417 or download a PDF version drivers by asking them for their ideas. Tens of from www.tiresafety.com. thousands of entries were received, and the Driver's Edge, sponsored by Bridgestone, contest winners will be announced this fall. Drive & is another program with a focus on safety. Watch for more Bridgestone Firestone Learn page ...... 12 Taught by professional racecar drivers and programs that can help you be a community performance driving instructors, Driver's leader and set the standard for safety. Edge educates young drivers behind the wheel by offering a “seat of the pants” The sun might be experience, accident avoidance maneuvers shining now but soon it will be snowing in some areas. Now is the in a controlled environment, local law time to order your winter tires, see inside story enforcement interaction and proper car care regarding Bridgestone®-brand Blizzak® tire demonstrations. This free program is accolades, page 7. summer06 inroadsPressAgain802.qxp 8/15/2006 2:40 PM Page 2

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A Note from Mark Emkes Executive Edge The sounds relevant to your business, we are always of summer looking for ways to make it better. In this are all around us, but the edition, we're highlighting stories and tools planning for the next intended to increase your business, your seasons continues with bottom line and your presence in your great gusto as we prepare community. Future editions of inRoads will for back to school, the include new features such as “Dealer winter selling season, and an increasingly Spotlight” and “Toolbox” that will focus with competitive and challenging global even greater intensity on your needs. marketplace. As I have said in the past, my door is In this edition of inRoads, we continue always open to you. Please don't hesitate to our tradition of preparing you for the let your sales representative or me know upcoming seasons by providing you the how we can better serve you. And, if you best resources available in the industry and would like to share any of your special sales, ideas you can use in your marketing, marketing or community relations initiatives including highlights of dealer activities as with us, or have an idea for a future edition well as tips you can use with your of inRoads, please don't hesitate to contact customers. This summer issue of inRoads our editor, Susan Sizemore. I cannot also highlights the many safety initiatives underscore enough that we are in business we've undertaken in North America (such as together, working together to provide a our safety outreach to the “driving” positive experience for our customers. community through our Drive & Learn A profound statement by Helen Keller is initiative, the Driver's Edge teen driving fitting for our vast and global network, program, and the M.A.R.I.O.S. safety “Alone we can do so little; together we can campaign), as well as the technological do so much.” advantages we are incorporating into our As always, my best to you, and let's enjoy products. the journey. inRoads is your newsletter...it is a communication vehicle designed for you, to Best regards, help you take your business to the next level. Since we want to make sure that our newsletter is accurate, concise, timely and Mark A. Emkes

BizCon10 Gathers Leaders to Dealers Learn, Network and Inspire For 10 years now, the Firestone®-brand truck Bridgestone Firestone Truck & Bus Tire tire Web sites to group has hosted BizCon, the meeting many differentiate dealers consider “the best commercial tire Bridgestone and business conference in the industry.” From Firestone truck tires. sales to leadership, marketing to operations, “Establishing distinct customer service to the future of trucking — and recognizable BizCon seminars assist dealers in their brands is the only way business. to be able to sell April 2006 marked the 10th BizCon, against increasing which was held this year in Washington, competition from D.C. The theme of the meeting was offshore truck tires that “Independent Branding” and marked the sell only on price,” said Singh Ahluwalia, Singh Ahluwalia, president of launch of Bridgestone Firestone North president of Truck & Bus Tires. Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC's Truck & Bus Tires, was one American Tire, LLC's establishment of of the dynamic speakers at BizCon10. distinct Bridgestone®-brand and See related story, page 5. summer06 inroadsPressAgain802.qxp 8/15/2006 2:41 PM Page 3

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Bridgestone Part of History Reenacted, Coast-tto-CCoast News in the News News This June, marked the 50th rolling reminders of the vision Firestone and anniversary of the federal law Eisenhower shared for an America linked Fortune - Bridgestone is that brought America its Interstate Highway coast-to-coast by an interstate highway ranked among the most System, and cities across the nation were system. admired companies in the part of the celebration. Events took place In 1919, Harvey Firestone invited the motor vehicle parts category of along the route with food, fun and festivities. entire U.S. Army convoy to a chicken dinner Fortune magazine's 24th annual Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, as they pushed west on their long journey ranking of America's Most LLC participated in every mile of this epic across America. Lt. Col. Eisenhower was Admired Companies. [March 6] road trip and hosted an event in Akron, there, and, over a family-style dinner at the BASFrefinish.com - “Con- Ohio. Firestone homestead, the two men talked Fuzion,” with its 285/60R18 XL about the modern highway system and what Fuzion™ Xti tires, is called it would take to make that dream a reality. “anything but tranquil” with Recently, the great-grandsons of those customizations from top to two visionaries came together to celebrate bottom, inside and out. 50 years of connected roadways and the [February issue] early contributions made by their ancestors. Merrill Eisenhower Atwater rode with the The Analyst - Newspaper in convoy from San Francisco to Washington, Monrovia, Liberia, reports that D.C., and Andrew Firestone was the launch Edward Hadji, an education Harvey Firestone founded the Firestone master at the San Francisco event and official in the country's Grand Tire & Rubber Company in Akron more than participated in the Akron, Ohio festivities. Bassa County, has lauded a century ago and helped put the world on Firestone Liberia for “its wheels. Firestone launched the Ship By Truck continuous contributions to campaign, encouraging manufacturers, the overall growth and shippers and farmers to rely on trucking as a improvement of the Liberian better alternative to railroads. The custom education system.” The remarks painted Ship by Truck trailers that were part were in response to a donation of the anniversary convoy (pictured here) are of books and other educational materials the company made to non-company run schools in the region. [March 24] New POS System Will Simplify Your Business Dealers Trucks - Bridgestone Firestone Taking care of your BFNT’s sister company, has been using this has taken the all-terrain tire to customer's tire and service POS program for six years in its more than new performance levels with needs has never been easier thanks to the 2,200 company-owned stores, and now the company's Destination A/T. CornerStone point of sale (POS) system now BFNT's dealers will have the opportunity to Available in 24 sizes, for 14- to available for Bridgestone Firestone North use it as well. The integrated software 17-inch rims, and in two American Tire, LLC's network of Affiliated package allows dealers to effectively manage different speed ratings, the Dealers. The new POS system went “live” inventories, create easy-to-follow work orders Destination A/T is just what the this May and is currently rolling out to for automotive repairs and print an doctor ordered for those folks locations across the country. organized and customer friendly invoice, whose rigs see more pavement “At Bridgestone Firestone, we are excited while storing customer history. All of this pounding than hard-core off to be able to offer this professional system allows dealers to enhance customer roading. [Issue 42] to our family of Affiliated Dealers, and we satisfaction and improve the accuracy and know that dealers who use the system will efficiency of their business. be equally pleased with it,” said Kirk The new CornerStone POS system is one Sutherland, manager, Family Channel POS, more way that BFNT provides additional BFNT. “The state-of-the-art technology and benefits and services to its Affiliated Dealers. user-friendly features enable our dealers to BFNT is in the early stages of rolling out the easily and professionally service their system to its Affiliated Dealers, initial customers' vehicles while giving them the feedback of the program has been terrific. information they need to manage and For more information on the CornerStone improve their business.” POS system call Kirk Sutherland, manager, BFS Retail & Commercial Operations, LLC, Family Channel POS, BFNT at (630) 259-9354. summer06 inroadsPressAgain802.qxp 8/15/2006 2:41 PM Page 4

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Did You Know that Bridgestone Tires Protected The Pressure Truck & Bus Winter Olympic Athletes? News is On! As athletes rose to the W975 premium drive- Bridgestone challenge of the Olympic Games and axle tire used on displayed steady, confident and superior transportation buses Announces New performance, so did Bridgestone® tires. A during the 2006 Winter Multi-AAir Chamber Tire Olympic Games in proud supporter of the Winter Olympic Turin. Keeping an eye on the future Games in Turin, Italy, Bridgestone Europe was of tire technology, Bridgestone happy to equip transportation vehicles with Corporation's extensive R&D which would otherwise have had to be its premium tires. efforts went into the creation of attached and removed when traveling Bridgestone extreme-weather winter bus an all-new type of tire contour. throughout the city, the Olympic village and tires helped ensure the safe and timely Bridgestone's new tire has three the ski slopes. In addition, the tires gave the transport of competitors, journalists and separate chambers which act as SITA vehicles a distinct speed advantage over supporters to their sporting destinations pressure vessels and provide a those of other operators. during the past Winter Olympic Games in smoother ride. “Our senior driver confirmed that the fresh Turin, Italy. Prominent Italian bus operator The inside of the tire consists snow and compacted ice made the roads SITA took extra precaution by equipping the of a main center chamber and very dangerous,” says SITA's Technical 10 coaches, serving the international event, sub-chambers on both sides. The Manager Alessandro Cialone. “He reported with Bridgestone Blizzak® W975 premium air pressure in each of the that the grip of these tires was the best we drive-axle tires. chambers can be controlled have ever experienced. Other drivers were The precaution paid off. Conditions in the independently, making it complaining about the extra work involved in Turin area during the Games were particularly possible to adjust the stiffness repeatedly fitting and removing the chains.” arduous, due to a combination of dense and balance between the tread This difference was also acknowledged by the traffic and heavy snowfalls. The superior area and the left and right Games organizers, who voiced some performance of the Bridgestone Blizzak W975 sidewalls. frustration at the delays experienced by other avoided the need to use snow chains — This adjustability ensures ideal contractors. contact in any condition, and Equipped with Designed specifically for harsh thus, a more stable and Bridgestone-brand environments, the W975 combines comfortable drive. It also means winter tires, buses were Bridgestone's multicell tread compound with able to cut through performance can be adjusted siping that affords outstanding grip on ice snow and ice for safe according to customer needs, and snow. Its casing construction is also and efficient travel such as comfort or during the winter optimized for superior traction and high maneuverability. Olympics. stability. Also, since the tire is divided into three parts, if the air pressure in one of the chambers New Crossover SUV has the Soul of a Sports Car drops significantly, for instance Consumer and Rides on Bridgestone Turanza Tires because of a nail puncture, the remaining chambers will be able Bridgestone Firestone North Shows earlier this year. to support the weight of the tire. American Tire, LLC recently announced that BFNT will supply the 2007 Mazda CX-7 So, the tire will be able to Bridgestone®-brand Turanza™ tires will be with Bridgestone Turanza EL 42™ tires in continue to operate for a one of the original equipment tires to be size P235/60R18. The Bridgestone Turanza specified distance. fitted on Mazda's first crossover sport-utility EL 42 is a T-speed rated, all-season, luxury Bridgestone is continuing vehicle (SUV), the CX-7. touring original equipment tire. It carries a development on the multi-air “The Turanza is a luxury touring tire that UTQG rating of 300 for treadwear, 'A' for chamber tire for additional complements the performance of Mazda's traction, and 'A' for temperature. applications. new purpose-built crossover SUV,” said Michael Martini, president, Original Equipment Consumer Tire, BFNT. “This fitment is the result of the ongoing relationship between the Bridgestone group and Mazda.” The Mazda CX-7 arrived in North American dealerships in spring 2006. It premiered at the Greater Los Angeles and the North American International Auto summer06 inroadsPressAgain802.qxp 8/15/2006 2:41 PM Page 5

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The World of Motorsports is Only a Click Away Motorsport Motorsports fans across the globe can get news and information about the global Bridgestone group's involvement in all of its major motor racing activities through a new Web site, www.bridgestonemotorsport.com. The new English language site was recently launched and highlights races such as the FIA Formula One World Championship, the GP2™ Series, MotoGP, Indy® Racing League, Champ Car World Series, Formula Nippon and SUPER GT. The new Bridgestone Motorsport Web site lets fans in on motorsports action. Results and point standings for these championships are available, as well as Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, results for a number of other racing LLC. “This year we are celebrating our 10th activities such as the Indy Pro Series and season as an official supplier to teams in the karting championships. FIA Formula One World Championship, In addition to regular news, features and beginning our second decade as a supplier to interviews, the Web site will offer visitors the Indy Racing League, and also marking our opportunities to win exciting prizes in fourth season as presenting sponsor of the competitions, download screensavers and Champ Car World Series. Our new Bridgestone Susan Robertson, the fastest woman on wallpapers featuring Bridgestone® and Motorsport Web site is a reflection of this a motorcycle, gives a few tips to the next generation of drivers at the Honda Firestone® teams and read all about the commitment to motorsports worldwide.” Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in Florida. group's history in motorsports. Educate your customers about motorsports. “This season marks an important milestone Inform them that motor racing information in the motorsports history of both the can now easily be found at Bridgestone and Firestone brands,” said Al www.bridgestonemotorsport.com. Speyer, executive director of motorsports,

BFNT Truck & Bus Introduces All-NNew Web Sites Truck & Bus Big fleets have different tire needs than small fleets — so why should both use the same resource? Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC has introduced an all-new Bridgestone®- brand truck tire site exclusively targeted to larger fleets and a Firestone®-brand site for owner-operators and smaller fleets. “When our fleet customers buy Bridgestone-brand, they get more than premium tires, they get full-service, total management,” said Don Darden, Helpful tips are available to assist drivers in selecting marketing communications and which truck tires will best meet their needs. advertising manager, BFNT. “The new miles per dollar from their Firestone tires.” Bridgestone truck tires site is a complete BFNT knows that its customers have tire resource with valuable information specific needs. These new Web sites are to help fleets operate more profitably.” targeted to meet those needs and provide “The Firestone-brand is a hard- superior service for both large and small working tire for hard-working truckers,” Tread patterns are just one of the many fleets. new features that help fleet customers added Darden. “But trucking is more than a The sites unveiled at BizCon10, BFNT's find what they're looking for on the job, it's a lifestyle, and the Web site easily annual Truck & Bus dealer conference, are recently launched Web sites. mixes business with pleasure. There's a www.BridgestoneTruckTires.com and section for customers to send in their truck www.FirestoneTruckTires.com. photos, as well as advice on getting more summer06 inroadsPressAgain802.qxp 8/15/2006 2:41 PM Page 6

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Bridgestone Firestone Achieves Excellence! 18 BSA Sites Recognized for Outstanding Safety Awards Performance Bridgestone Americas for their commitment to one of Chairman and CEO Mark Emkes recently the five guiding principles in his honored 18 BSA manufacturing facilities for CEO policy — line-driven safety outstanding safety performance in 2005 as including disaster prevention. part of the annual CEO Safety Recognition Congratulations to all of the Program. 2005 marked the third consecutive winning teammates and record-breaking year with BSA again facilities. lowering its OSHA incidence rate. “Recognition for Safety Emkes extended his appreciation to all of Excellence” is awarded to plants the teammates from the winning plants for that exceed 1 million hours making the family of companies safer and without a lost-time incident or have reached an outstanding achievement, Firestone Machine teammates in Akron, such as earning OSHA VPP (Voluntary Ohio, receive their CEO Safety Protection Program) STAR (Safety Through Performance Award for zero OSHA Accountability and Recognition) certification. recordable injuries — their fourth such award in the past 10 years. Firestone “Recognition for Safety Improvement” is Machine builds proprietary equipment awarded to facilities with an OSHA incidence for BSA. rate that is a 15 percent improvement over the previous year and that is also below their division or company average. “Recognition for Safety Performance” is CEO Safety Recognition Award presentation at the Lake Charles, La., plant. Pictured here (l-r) are John awarded to plants with fewer than 80 Vincent, Bob Gremillion, Donald Pickle, Buddy Guillot, teammates who complete the entire year Tim Moses, Steve Trahan, Jim Mathis and Mark Emkes. without an OSHA recordable injury or illness.

The Best of the Best Awards A TireStarz and Bridgestone Darien, Ill., were two of the top 44 shops Firestone Affiliated Dealer proudly rated by customers for superior both were in the top 44 rated auto repair overall performance. Congratulations and shops in Chicago. Duxler Libertyville Tire in keep up the good work! Libertyville, Ill., and Quality Tire & Auto in

GCR Tire Centers Earn Awards Top Quality Standards Certification GCR Tire Centers are proud to commitment during the entire announce that five more of its truck tire implementation process,” said Joe Little, retread facilities have received ISO 9001:2000 director of North American manufacturing for certification. Retreading facilities in GCR Tire Birmingham, Ala.; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Centers. Harlingen, Texas; Phoenix, Ariz.; and “Offering our Sacramento, Calif., were recently honored for customers this added quality assurance achieving the requirements of this highly makes all of our teammates extremely recognized, international quality proud.” management system. This brings GCR's total The ISO 9001:2000 certification process number of ISO 9001:2000 certifications for recognizes those facilities that have its retreading facilities to 13. undergone and passed an intensive third “Plant personnel at each facility party examination of globally recognized demonstrated an outstanding level of quality management system requirements. summer06 inroadsPressAgain802.qxp 8/15/2006 2:41 PM Page 7

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Bridgestone Bridgestone Blizzak is Recognized by RMAP Awards Awards Firestone Customers might be hitting tread components and designs to provide Receives the poolside right now, but the perfect winter tire to meet your the NAACP President's before you know it, in some areas, they will customers' needs. Blizzak tires also feature be hitting the winter roads. Be prepared by Bridgestone's UNI-T® technology to provide Award ordering your Bridgestone® Blizzak® tires well-balanced performance in winter Bridgestone Firestone is now. conditions. This proud to have received the Blizzak tires technology National Association for the have won enables the Advancement of Colored People accolades for their solid grip on icy roads. Blizzak tires to cut through and disperse (NAACP) President's Award. The The Rocky Mountain Automotive Press surface water for improved ice performance. Aiken County plant was recently announced the 2006 “Best Vehicles Order your Blizzak tires now to give your recognized for its contributions of the Rockies” and Bridgestone Blizzak was customers their choice of high-quality, to education during the recent named as the group's official tire for the award-winning tires this winter. NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet second consecutive year. Vehicles in the held at the University of South Rocky Mountain region are typically Carolina-Aiken. subjected to harsh winter conditions, snow Mike Rose, plant manager, and ice, mountain roads, high altitudes, and accepted this award on behalf unpaved and off-highway driving. In of Aiken County team members. conditions like this, Bridgestone Blizzak tires “This award reflects the provide drivers with the ability to grip the dedication to education and road and stay safe. diversity of all of the teammates Bridgestone Blizzak tires have various in Aiken County,” commented Rose. Eleven Years and Counting, Bridgestone Earns The President's Award is Awards given to businesses and Supplier of the Year Award from General Motors individuals who are committed For 11 years running, during a recognition ceremony held in April at to education and diversity Bridgestone Corporation and its global family GM's Vehicle Engineering Center at the which benefit the community as of companies, which includes Bridgestone General Motors Technical Center in Warren, a whole. Americas Holding, Inc. (BSAH) and its business Mich. units, Bridgestone Firestone North American “Receiving this coveted award for 11 years Tire, LLC and Bridgestone Firestone Latin in a row is proof of the dedication and American Tire Operations (BFLA), were named commitment of our teammates around the as a General Motors (GM) Supplier of the Year. world,” said Mark Emkes, chairman and CEO, The award is for excellence in tires and BSAH and BFNT. “We are determined to related service provided in 2005 to GM continue to provide our customers with tires worldwide by Tokyo-based Bridgestone and service that will make them and our Corporation and its global group of Bridgestone family of companies proud.” companies. Bridgestone Corporation Senior Overall, the Bridgestone Group has earned Vice President Tatsuya Okajima accepted the this prestigious award from GM for 13 of the award on behalf of the Bridgestone Group past 14 years. BFNT Plant Wins Silver Crescent Award Awards Bridgestone Firestone North manufacturer's American Tire LLC's Aiken economic impact, County plant received South Carolina's Silver commitment to the Crescent Award for Manufacturing work force and Excellence in the large manufacturer community category. The award was presented at the involvement. Advanced Manufacturing & Productivity Congratulations to Exposition and Conference in Greenville, S.C. the BFNT Aiken Created in 2002, the award is based on a County plant. summer06 inroadsPressAgain802.qxp 8/15/2006 2:42 PM Page 8

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R-SSquadron Shows Off its Trend-SSetting Vehicles Enthusiast Meet the team that is group of show quality showing off! Derek Chen and vehicles, which appear his Bridgestone Firestone Canada Inc. (BFCA) and compete at sponsored team of modified cars, Team R- aftermarket events. All Squadron, are cruising the car shows and cars in the group are showing no sign of slowing down. equipped with Chen began collaborating with BFCA in Bridgestone®-brand or January 2003 and the partnership has Fuzion®-brand high continued to grow with his participation in performance tires. car shows across Canada and the United R-Squadron cars have States. Most recently, Team R-Squadron appeared at the SEMA appeared at the Specialty Equipment shows, and also have Manufacturers Association (SEMA) appeared at the Number International Auto Salon (IAS) show in One Parts, Inc. (NOPI) Derek Chen with Team R-Squadron (r) Philadelphia. Nationals and at regional shows across the is interviewed by Street Vision Garage Team R-Squadron, based in Toronto, is a United States and Canada. TV at the 2006 SEMA IAS show in Philadelphia.

Team R-Squadron will be appearing at these upcoming events: NOPI Nationals Atlanta, Ga. Sept. 16-17 Sport Compact Performance Montreal, Canada Oct. 13-15 Import Fest Toronto, Canada Oct. 20-21

Stay Connected with Gum Dippers Dealers Originally known as “The organization's newsletter. “You get to Twenty-Year Club” — so uncover people you haven't seen in years or named because its members were retired some that you'd forgotten about.” from or had worked for Firestone Tire & Four editions of its newsletter are mailed Rubber Company for at least 20 years — the to members' homes annually, providing purpose of the “Firestone Gum Dippers” is updates and announcements of members' to connect teammates, former teammates, births, deaths, marriages, retirements and retirees and their families across miles and second careers as well as a membership years. directory, which helps teammates get in The club was formed in 1980 by seven touch with one another. The group also has teammates from the Jacksonville district that an online Web group where members can covered parts of Florida, Georgia and South post their profiles, messages and photos as Carolina for what is now BFS Retail & well as send e-mails to other members. The Commercial Operations, LLC (BFRC). Over membership of approximately 800 time, membership eligibility rules changed individuals has an annual reunion; last year to include any former Bridgestone Firestone 231 people attended. teammate who has knowledge of the gum Do you meet the requirements to be a dipping process, giving the organization its Firestone Gum Dipper and want to join? current name: the “Firestone Gum Dippers.” Firestone employees who are nearing The group spread throughout Florida and retirement, who have retired, or who have continued to grow to become a national moved onto their next careers — as well as organization. any interested dealers — are eligible to join. “At its heart, the Firestone Gum Dippers is For more information about becoming a a communication and networking tool,” said member or receiving the newsletter of the Richard Mucciolo, co-chairman of the Firestone Gum Dippers contact Joe Scott at Firestone Gum Dippers and editor of the (727) 319-3554. summer06 inroadsPressAgain802.qxp 8/15/2006 2:42 PM Page 9

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Grand Openings! Dealers Congratulations to two new dealer locations, one in Alpine, Texas, and one in Lebanon, Tenn. We are proud to add you to our family. Both locations recently had successful grand openings. At the TireStarz dealer, Oasis Tire, in Alpine, Texas, the grand opening kicked off with a two-day customer appreciation event as well as car show and an appearance by the BIGFOOT® Monster Truck®. Over half the city — including the Texas Lutheran University girls softball Oasis Tire's store opening was a big event, pulling in people from team, motorcycle clubs all over the community. Members of the Texas Lutheran University and tourists — showed up girls softball team even stopped by on their way to a game to join to partake in the in the fun. celebration and see all during their opening day. The event was filled that the new location has to offer. with fun activities for the kids, and local civic “We are so proud of our new leaders came to celebrate with a ribbon store,” commented Morton and cutting ceremony. James Baddley, president Wilma Smith, owners of Oasis Tire. of Academy Tire, really understands what it “The event was a great success and takes to create a good location for a smaller gathered people from miles away. community, and there were lots of new We are excited to continue superior relationships initiated at the event. service to existing and new “Our new location is top-notch and really customers.” impressive,” said Baddley. “Our updated look At the new Academy Tire store in The Bridgestone Firestone Affiliate Dealer, and facility will enable us to provide a more Lebanon, Tenn., James Baddley (front), Academy Tire, in Lebanon, Tenn., had a comfortable and high-quality experience for president of Academy Tire, stands ready successful grand opening, selling more than our customers.” to accommodate and surpass expectations of new and 325 tires and developing new customers existing customers. Four Audi Models Sport Bridgestone Tires as OE OE The Bridgestone®-brand has Features of Bridgestone-brand fitted tires: teamed with Audi to supply • POTENZA™ RE050 - Potenza RE050 has a its stunning, dynamic vehicles with non-directional, asymmetrical tread Bridgestone's innovative tires. Bridgestone- pattern. Wet-weather handling is branded tires are now original equipment on optimized in this tire and the outer tread the following four Audi models listed below: is designed to optimize dry-surface handling. Model Tire Pattern Tire Size Model Markets • TURANZA™ ER300 - The shock-absorbing Audi A6 Potenza 225/50R17 98Y XL Japan, Americas, Europe carcass construction and outstanding Audi A6 Avant RE050 245/45R17 99Y XL straight-line stability at higher speeds Turanza 225/55R16 99Y XL provide superior driving comfort. The ER300 inside area of the tread pattern is specially Audi A4 Potenza 235/45R17 094Y Japan, Americas, Europe designed to enhance wet grip. RE050 • DUELER™ HP SPORT - A tread pattern Turanza 205/55R16 91W based on the Potenza RE050 tire and ER300 compounds to ensure enhanced handling Audi Q7 Dueler 255/55R18 109Y XL Japan, Americas, Europe on all types of surfaces provide a superior H/P Sport 265/50R19 110Y XL *Date TBD for Japan combination of dry- and wet-weather on- 275/45R20 110Y XL road performance. summer06 inroadsPressAgain802.qxp 8/15/2006 2:43 PM Page 10

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Where’s Mario...? Where’s Mario

...in Fresno, Calif. celebrating the 30th anniversary of Goodguys Tire & Auto Repair. The celebration commenced with dealers meeting with community leaders, including Clovis Mayor Nathan Magsig. At the newest location in Clovis, Mario Andretti (l) and John …in Danville, Ky. meeting with community leaders. Gamauf, president of Bridgestone Firestone Consumer Danville Mayor John Bowling (l) presented Andretti (r) Replacement Tire, presented Pete Shubin (r), owner of with a key to the city and a plaque making Andretti an honorary citizen of Danville. Goodguys Tire & Auto Repair, with a plaque …in Austin, Texas to launch the Safety commemorating the company's 30 successful years. Scholars program while talking to the Texas Tire Dealers Association. Al Speyer …in Portage, Ind. celebrating Portage Tire & Auto (l), executive director of motorsports for Service’s 25th anniversary. Mario Andretti presented BFNT, participated in a Q&A session Helen Chaibai, the wife of the dealership's founder, with Andretti to the delight of with a plaque celebrating the anniversary. Pictured conference participants. are (l-r) Jeff Chaibai and Ron Chaibai, current owners and sons of the founder; Helen Chaibai; Mario Andretti; Bill Pransky, North Region general manager; Mark Polke, North Region marketing manager; and Wayne Wolter, senior area sales manager.

Bridgestone Firestone Facility Receives State's News Highest Awards for Safety and Pollution Prevention Bridgestone Firestone North Labor Commissioner James Neeley and American Tire's Warren County plant was Environment and Conservation recognized by the Department of Labor for Commissioner Jim Fyke were also on hand maintaining its STAR status in the Tennessee for the presentation of awards to the Warren Occupational Safety & Health Administration County plant by both Tennessee (TOSHA) Voluntary Protection Program departments. (VPP). STAR stands for Safety Through VPP STAR site status is awarded to what Accountability and Recognition. The plant TOSHA considers the “best of the best” in also achieved the top Performer level in the the area of safety and health management. Environment and Conservation Warren County is one of only two tire plants Department's Tennessee Pollution in the United States to have achieved VPP Prevention Partnership (TP3) environmental STAR status, with the other being BFNT's leadership program. Aiken County, S.C., facility. Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen and To achieve Performer status, TP3 program Bridgestone Americas Chairman and CEO participants are required to develop and Mark Emkes made a trip to the plant to complete a five-project plan to help prevent congratulate the teammates on their two pollution of air, land and water, while recent awards. Gov. Bredesen commented, reducing waste and conserving natural “This focus on protection and stewardship is resources. The award, the highest honor a hallmark of the company's dedication to within the program, moves BFNT's Warren quality, and we are certainly fortunate to County plant into the ranks of only four have corporate citizens of this caliber in other businesses in the state of Tennessee Tennessee.” to achieve Performer status. summer06 inroadsPressAgain802.qxp 8/15/2006 2:43 PM Page 11

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Happy Bridgestone Firestone Plant in Consumer Customers Environment Wilson, N.C., Makes EPA “Honor Roll” Make Loyal With the Wilson plant's The EPA created the voluntary NEPT Customers addition, Bridgestone Firestone North program to reward and recognize American Tire, LLC is now the first tire companies that show a commitment to “I purchased a set of company to have all U.S. plants part of the environmental performance that goes above Bridgestone tires for my 2000 Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) and beyond current requirements and that Dodge Caravan. They performed National Environmental Performance Track have a proven track record of improving better than the Michelins that (NEPT) program. All seven of the company's environmental performance over time. were original equipment.” U.S. tire plants share in this recognition for In order to qualify for the NEPT program, Jason Chin - Wolcott, Conn.; outstanding environmental the Wilson facility a Bridgestone Firestone customer performance. fulfilled a number of “I have purchased three sets “We were the first tire requirements, including: of tires this year for 3 of my company accepted into a good record of cars. I am very happy with the the program, and now compliance with product and the price was we're the first company to environmental fantastic.” have all of our American-made tires produced regulations; a public commitment to specific Richard Hamilton - Cary, in NEPT plants,” said Greer Tidwell, director of environmental performance goals; annual N.C.; a Bridgestone Firestone environmental management for BFNT. “Luck public reporting on progress toward the customer might bring a seven to a slot machine or a goals; and an integrated system for dice game, but it was hard work and continuing to improve compliance and “Great Tires. I am on the road commitment to environmental excellence environmental performance. The facility's a lot with my business, and that brought all seven of our U.S. tire plants established goals for the next three years with three kids in sports so I into this elite program. It makes our entire include improving several manufacturing need tires that will last and that family proud to see the Wilson facility receive processes to increase energy efficiency and are safe.” this recognition and complete the circle.” reduce waste generation. Larry Morris - North Little Rock, Ark; a Bridgestone Firestone customer One Big Lap Contributes to Millions of Children News Racing for the Children awareness for the Save the Children entered the 2006 Tire Rack organization, which works to create real and Cannonball “One Lap of lasting change in the lives of needy children. America” to raise money for The organization is a nonprofit, nonpolitical, their charity. AZ Power and nonsectarian organization operating in more Sound joined Racing for the than 35 nations, including the Unites States. Children to enter its non- “We get a lot more satisfaction out of our factory backed 2004 Pontiac efforts knowing we are racing for such a GTO into the “One Lap of worthy cause,” said Ramirez, “After all, the America” with Bridgestone children are our future.” Firestone North American The AZ Power and Sound Pontiac GTO Tire, LLC as the title sponsor. was fitted with new Bridgestone® Potenza™ Pictured here with the Racing for the “One Lap of America” is an annual event RE-01R™ ultra-high performance tires in Children car are (l-r) Enrique Ramirez, created by Brock Yates of Car and Driver sizes 235/40R18 and 265/35R18 for the driver and founder of Racing for the Magazine. Participants of the event must “One Lap of America” competition. Children; Rodd Stotsenburg, ultra-high drive their street legal vehicles from track to performance marketing & education support manager for BFNT; and Racing track where they compete in time trial for the Children crew members Al competitions, drag races, and, to keep Sickinger and Chip Habitz. things interesting, wet and dry skid pad events. This year's “One Lap of America” covered 4,000 miles, stopping in nine different states and traveling through 18 states. Racing for the Children was formed by The Racing for the Children car showed its winning Enrique Ramirez in 1999 to raise money and stripes and won 2nd place in its class. summer06 inroadsPressAgain802.qxp 8/15/2006 2:43 PM Page 12

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The Drive to Learn…Rain or Shine Drive & Learn Participants and staff didn't let attendees at the Drive & Learn bad weather deter them from session still managed to smile the Drive & Learn at the California Speedway at the weather and even had in Los Angeles, Calif. With inches of rainfall, record-breaking attendance: dark clouds looming and swirling winds, 188 participants at the two day event. A huge “thank you” goes out to the Drive & Learn staff and participants for making this event a success despite the storm. Drive & Learn programs provide a valuable education and first-hand Determined to teach the Drive & Learn product knowledge to program participants. message, the staff of Drive & Learn The events are terrific demonstrations of the triumphs over the weather and even has dedication the dealers and members of the fun at each event. Heavy rain, strong winds and dark clouds didn't keep auto industry have to their customers. Be sure the Drive & Learn in Los Angeles, Calif. from having to attend an event in your area. record-breaking attendance.

Bridgestone Firestone 535 Marriott Drive Nashville, TN 37214

Summer 2006

inRoads is a publication produced by the North American Consumer Tire and North American Truck & Bus Tire Groups of Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC for the benefit of our customers.

We welcome and encourage comments about inRoads or Bridgestone Firestone and the industry in general. Comments, suggestions and requests for information should be sent to: Susan Sizemore Public Affairs Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. 535 Marriott Dr. Nashville, TN 37214 [email protected] (615) 937-1417