Take a count of the tires you see in any parking lot across the country, and you’ll probably see the highest tally with the Bridgestone brand. Bridgestone is the world’s largest tire and rubber company. They manufacture everything from inner tubes to tires for off-roading, buses, trucks, and airplanes.
Bridgestone runs three regional offices: Tennessee, Belgium, and Singapore. However, the company is headquartered in Kyobashi, Tokyo. That may come as a surprise, but the company was founded in 1931 by Shojiro Ishibashi in Japan. Bridgestone didn’t make its way to the US until 1967.
Today, the brand employs nearly 130,000 people around the world and pulls over $37 billion in revenue annually. Subsidiaries include Bridgestone Golf and the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company.
Despite its birthplace in Japan, Bridgestone maintains a substantial presence in the USA. We wanted to know if the tires being sold here in the US are also being made here.
Verdict: Are Bridgestone Tires Made in the USA?
Only some Bridgestone tires are made in the United States. Bridgestone manufactures tires around the world, including in the USA. If purchased in the US, the tires were most likely made here as well.
After expanding sales from Japan to the US in 1967, it took nearly another 20 years for Bridgestone to acquire its first US-based manufacturing facility. The plant was previously owned by Firestone, which Bridgestone ultimately bought out in 1988. This move exponentially grew Bridgestone’s operations in the USA.
In the Americas alone, Bridgestone owns 22 tire plants, 13 of which are located in the United States, primarily in the central and East Coast of the country. Also within the US are 4 raw material plants and 4 diversified product plants (for things like golf balls and hoses). Below is a list of the tire plants in the Americas and what products each produces:
Bridgestone doesn’t just do business in the Americas. This global brand also finds its manufacturing footprint around the world as well. In fact, tire plants are located across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, China, Japan, and more.
Almost three-quarters of the tires made by Bridgestone are manufactured abroad. However, the US system is specifically used to serve the US market.
The maps below pinpoint each tire plant operated by Bridgestone outside of the Americas.
Within the US, plant locations include Abilene, Texas; Akron, Ohio; Bloomington, Illinois, among many others. Each facility is responsible for a specific type of tire production. Refer to the chart shown above for details.
The name Bridgestone might feel very American, but it was derived from the meaning of the founder’s last name, which translates to “stone bridge.” The company does have a huge footprint in the US, but it is clear to see that they are still a global brand. In total, Bridgestone operates approximately 120 manufacturing plants, offices, and research facilities worldwide. They sell products in over 150 countries.
Bridgestone is a member of the US Tire Manufacturers Association. This group aims to advocate for the expansion of tire production in the US by supporting technologies, infrastructure, and policies.
If you purchased your Bridgestone tires in the US, there is a high probability that they were manufactured there as well. To verify, you can check the sidewall of the tire for a “Made In…” label or look for the DOT Code, which can signify which plant your tire came from.
Popular American Made Bridgestone Tires
Tires sold in the US are likely manufactured in the US. Popular models include:
- Alenza Prestige Tire
- Turanza Everdrive Tire
- Dueler A/T Ascent Tire
Popular Bridgestone Tires Not Made in the USA
- Tires sold internationally are either manufactured in the US or abroad
