BRIDGESTONE POTENZA BRAND TIRES ARE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FOR NEW TOYOTA YARIS

Mississauga (Ontario), July 2006 - – Bridgestone Firestone Canada Inc. (BFCA) and Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) recently announced that Bridgestone Potenza™ brand RE92™ tires will be original equipment on the 2007 Toyota Yaris.

BFCA and BFNT will supply P185/60R15 84T Bridgestone Potenza RE92 tires for the “sport-themed” Yaris S Sedan and P175/65R14 81S Bridgestone Potenza RE92 tires for the Yaris Liftback. The P185/60R15 is also optional equipment for the Liftback and standard Sedan models.

“For more than two years, Bridgestone engineers have worked closely with Toyota to produce a tire that complements the refinement, sophistication and fun-to-drive experience the Yaris brings to the North American subcompact market, while still adhering to Toyota’s exacting OE standards. The result is this specifically tuned Bridgestone Potenza RE92 tire,” said Michael Martini, president, original equipment consumer tire division, BFNT.

Replacing the ECHO in Toyota’s subcompact segment, the all new Yaris is an affordable passenger car that features contemporary exterior styling. First released in Europe in 1999, the Yaris quickly became Toyota’s best-selling European model.

In 2000, it was awarded “European Car of the Year” by a collective of 55 automotive journalists from 20 European countries. It was also named “Japan Car of the Year,” making it the first vehicle to receive both awards in the same year.

The Bridgestone Potenza RE92 is a member of the extensive Bridgestone Potenza all-season tire family for consumers who want a tire that delivers excellent performance in a variety of weather conditions.

Bridgestone Corporation is a primary original equipment supplier to Toyota, supplying a full-range of tires for a wide-range of vehicles.

About Bridgestone Firestone Canada Inc.:
Mississauga-based Bridgestone Firestone Canada Inc. (BFCA) is an affiliate of Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT). BFCA and Nashville, Tennessee-based BFNT are subsidiaries of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. BFCA and BFNT develop, manufacture and market Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton and associate brand tires. They are focused on wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off-road, motorcycle, agricultural and other tires to their customers in Canada and the United States respectively.

About Bridgestone Corporation:
Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is the world's largest manufacturer of tires and other rubber products. Tires account for 80 percent of Bridgestone Group sales worldwide. The company also manufactures industrial rubber and chemical products, sporting goods, and other diversified products. It sells its tires and other products in more than 150 nations.