Bridgestone plugs into EVs by turning shops into service centers

Startups to make use of tire maker's global 6,100-outlet network to offer maintenance

Bridgestone will supply custom tires for Fisker's first EV to be sold on market, the Ocean sport utility vehicle. (Photo courtesy of Bridgestone)

SHIZUKA TANABE, Nikkei staff writer

December 8, 2021 04:05 JST

TOKYO -- Japanese tire and parts manufacturer Bridgestone will attempt to harness the value of its global network of service centers by letting them be used by electric vehicles startups for maintenance and repairs.

Bridgestone has already entered the EV game when it entered a partnership with American EV startup, Fisker. The deal, announced in August, mainly entails supplying lightweight tires to Fisker that will help boost driving ranges. But relationship reflects another objective for Bridgestone.