Bridgestone’s share of passenger-car original equipment tyre sales has increased from 10% in the 1990’s to almost 20% today. With the addition of Citroën to its list of customers in 2009, Bridgestone now supplies all three major French car brands and all major car manufacturers in Europe.

Turning to a second tyre supplier for the first time in more than 70 years, Citroën selected Bridgestone for two of its new models in 2009. Firstly, the comfort and wet safety of Bridgestone’s premium touring tyre, Turanza ER300, was selected for the new C3 5-door hatchback. Secondly, the 17-inch size of the sporty Potenza RE050A was chosen to complement the high performance of the DS3 3-door hatch.

Bridgestone is the sole supplier for the sportiest version of the DS3 range: the new DS3 Racing. Potenza RE050A in size 215/40R18 will be standard factory fitment on the 196-bhp model when it debuts in November 2010.

PSA first selected Bridgestone for its Peugeot brand back in 2003, when Turanza tyres were fitted to the 307 (195/65 R15 91H ER30). By the end of 2010, it also supplied Turanza ER300 on the Peugeot 308 and 207 SW outdoor, Potenza RE050A on the higher-powered 207 CC, Dueler H/P Sport on the 4007 and the rugged Duravis R630 on the Boxer and Duravis R410 on the Expert.

Bridgestone became a supplier for European-made Renault cars in 2004, when the B250 was selected for the Modus. The range and volume of fitments have grown steadily and now includes Potenza RE050A on the Megane and Wind, ER300 on the Clio and Fluence, B250 on the Scenic, Modus and Clio, and Dueler H/L 400 on the Kangoo.

“Bridgestone is proud to supply all three major French manufacturers and is working hard to develop this business,” says Mr Didier Schneider, Vice President Original Equipment, Bridgestone Europe. “We are confident that Bridgestone’s new eco-friendly Ecopia technology will appeal strongly to French manufacturers.”