About Bridgestone Corporation:
Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is the world’s largest tire and rubber company. In addition to tires for use in a wide variety of applications, it also manufactures a broad range of diversified products, which include industrial rubber and chemical products and sporting goods. Its products are sold in over 150 nations and territories around the world.
News - 2013
Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 Tires Featured As Original Equipment on 2014 Chevy Spark All-Electric Vehicle
Ecopia EP150 tires deliver the ride, handling and performance consumers demand of a next-generation electric vehicle
2013/10/11
Tokyo (Oct, 11, 2013) - Bridgestone Group is pleased to announce that its Bridgestone-brand Ecopia EP150 tires will be original equipment on the all-new 2014 Chevy Spark Electric Vehicle (EV).
The Chevy Spark EV enters the U.S. market as one of the quickest electric vehicles, delivering an impressive output of 140 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. Equipped with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, the Chevy Spark EV can take drivers an estimated 82 miles on a single charge, with a 119 combined miles-per-gallon equivalent (MPGe). Bridgestone's Ecopia EP150 tires, which were designed specially for the Spark EV fitment, play an important role in helping GM achieve these aggressive mileage targets.
"Driving an electric vehicle can be both fun and efficient- and the 2014 Chevy Spark demonstrates this exceptionally," said Mike Martini, President, Original Equipment, U.S. and Canada Consumer Tire Sales Division, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations. "We are delighted that GM turned to Bridgestone for this EV fitment. Our engineers in Japan spent two years designing the Ecopia EP150 tires exclusively for the Spark EV. The result is a unique tire that delivers exceptional low rolling resistance, while still offering consumers the ride, handling and wear performance they expect from their tires today."
The standard equipment on the 2014 Chevy Spark EV will be:
- Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 tires in size 185/55R15 82T on the front.
- Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 tires in size 195/55R15 85T on the rear.
The Spark EV was launched in the U.S. in June of this year, and is currently being sold in California and Oregon. It is also being sold in Europe and South Korea.
Bridgestone is manufacturing the Ecopia EP150 at its plant in Hikone, Japan.
