Mississauga, ON (Sept. 10, 2007) - Bridgestone-brand Turanza EL42 tires have been selected by Lexus as original equipment for the company’s all-new LS 600h L luxury hybrid sedan.

Bridgestone Turanza EL42 tires in size P245/45R19 98V are one standard tire on the world’s first full V8, all-wheel-drive hybrid vehicle. The all-season original equipment tire combines sleek styling, premium comfort ride quality and quiet sound with outstanding performance in dry and wet conditions.

The 2008 Lexus LS 600h L powertrain combines a 5.0-liter V8 gas engine with two powerful electric motors, providing the vehicle with an unmatched balance of environmental efficiency and performance. With a Super Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) rating, the LS 600h L has nearly 70 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than vehicles with a conventional internal combustion engine.

Bridgestone Firestone is proud to support vehicles that minimize fuel use and environmental impact,” said Michael Martini, President, Consumer OE Tire Sales, Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT).

Martini went on to explain that in July 2006, Bridgestone Firestone was the premier sponsor and sole tire supplier of the inaugural Hybridfest (Madison, Wis.), the nation's largest event dedicated to hybrid-electric vehicles. More than 100 hybrids – many fitted with Bridgestone-brand tires – were on display, including all 11 hybrid models then on the market.

“We salute Lexus for advancing hybrid technology to an exciting new level that proves you can have high performance with low emissions,” he added. “Vehicles like the LS 600h L are critical to ultimately reducing North America’s dependence on oil.”

The 2008 LS 600h L began arriving at Lexus dealerships in July.

Bridgestone Corporation is a tire supplier for Lexus vehicles and has been since 1989 when the first Lexus model sold in North America, the LS 400, was outfitted with tires from Bridgestone. Many current Lexus luxury vehicles – including the LS, GS, ES, and IS sedans, SC coupe and GX utility vehicles and GS 450h hybrid – feature Bridgestone-brand tires as original equipment.

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 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 Americas Holding, Inc.

Nashville-based Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of the Bridgestone Corporation. BSAH, through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures and markets a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies also produce air springs, roofing materials, synthetic rubber and industrial fibers and textiles and operate the world’s largest chain of automotive tire and service centers.