Against the backdrop of the imposition of the 25% tariffs on auto parts imports introduced by the US, Japanese tyre maker Bridgestone has announced that it plans to increase the capacity at two of its US plants.
According to Bridgestone’s Q1 2025 report, by 2027, the capacity of passenger and light truck tire plants in Aiken (South Carolina) and Wilson (North Carolina) will be increased by 2 million units/year. It is noted that the expansion of capacity will require “small investments” in Aiken, and in Wilson, production will be maximally loaded.
Bridgestone also plans to close its truck tyre plant in LaVergne (Tennessee) and redirect production to other sites in North and South America.
The report states that Bridgestone intends to “maintain or increase production” in the US to be able to meet 60% and 70% of the demand for passenger and truck/bus tyres in the country through local production.
In addition, optimisation of raw material supply chains is planned, and currently, Bridgestone in the US already uses 80% to 90% of materials from local sources (excluding natural rubber, which is not subject to increased tariffs).
It is expected that the new tariffs will affect Bridgestone’s operating profit for 2025, and the company forecasts that additional costs will be around US$310 million.
In Q1 2025, Bridgestone’s sales in North America decreased by 2% to US$2 billion, and operating profit increased by 10% to US$249 million. Total sales in the global market decreased by 1% to US$7 billion.