DriveGuard tire line extension brings safety benefit to minivans and crossovers
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 12, 2016) – Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone) today announced it has expanded its DriveGuard tire line with seven new tire sizes that are engineered to fit the most popular family vehicles on the road today. The first full line of premium, all season replacement tires engineered to go up to 50 miles to safety after a puncture, DriveGuard tires are aimed at alleviating the worry, frustration and inconvenience associated with a flat tire.
“We introduced the DriveGuard tire line in 2014 for coupes, sedans and wagons. Since then, we heard customers resoundingly say that they wanted that same peace of mind when behind the wheel of their family vehicles – minivans, crossovers and small SUVs,” said Philip Dobbs, chief marketing officer, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations. “We listened, and we’re excited to make this innovative technology available to more drivers and more vehicles.”
Featuring specially designed run-flat technology, DriveGuard tires give drivers the ability to continue driving up to 50 miles (80 kilometers) at up to 50 miles (80 kilometers) per hour to safety on a flat tire.* With the expanded size offering, the DriveGuard tire line from Bridgestone now fits more than 80 percent of minivans and 43 percent of crossovers and small SUVs – the fastest growing vehicle segment. The additional DriveGuard tire sizes arrive in stores May 1, 2016.
Bridgestone commissioned a survey conducted online by Harris Poll,** among 2,109 U.S. adults age 18 and older. Results indicated 73 percent of drivers on the road today have experienced a flat tire, and 90 percent agree that getting a flat tire would disrupt their day. The survey also revealed that nearly three quarters of drivers (72 percent) would be willing to pay more for tires that would allow them to continue driving up to 50 miles at up to 50 miles per hour on a flat.
While the survey shows more than half of drivers (57 percent) claim they know how to change a flat tire, nearly three in five (58 percent) drivers have called someone for help. Women drivers are more likely to call someone for help than men (65 percent versus 52 percent, respectively), with only 34 percent of women saying they know how to change a flat tire, compared to 82 percent of men who say the same. The majority of Americans (68 percent) indicated that changing a tire on the side of a busy road is the biggest safety hazard of a flat tire.
Beginning May 1, DriveGuard tires will be available in the United States and Canada for crossovers and minivans, as well as coupes, sedans and wagons with tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS). Designed to deliver a quiet, comfortable ride and provide all season traction, DriveGuard tires come with a 50,000 (80,000 kilometers) to 60,000 (100,000 kilometers) mile treadwear warranty.*** DriveGuard tires are available in 43 sizes, 15” to 19” rim diameters.
To learn more about DriveGuard tires from Bridgestone, or to find a Bridgestone retailer, consumers should visit www.DriveGuard.com.
Watch how a Bridgestone DriveGuard tire performs versus a regular tire after five-time Olympic archer – and Team Bridgestone athlete – Khatuna Lorig uses them both for target practice. Bridgestone DriveGuard tires give drivers the ability to continue driving up to 50 miles at up to 50 miles per hour to safety after a puncture https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XS7jXQAnG5k.
*At a maximum speed of 50 mph. Reparability depends on the tire damage, amount of pressure loss and vehicle operating conditions.
**Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of Bridgestone from April 11-13, 2016 among 2,109 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Rachel Withers, withersrachel@bfusa.com.
***60,000 Mile Treadwear Limited Warranty for H & V speed rated tires; 50,000 Mile Treadwear Limited Warranty for W speed rated tires.
