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Keep on Rolling

Before You Hit the Road, Hit the Site

By Madelyn Miller

Whether you are an automotive enthusiast looking for new tire options, a consumer seeking a location for tire replacement, a teacher looking for unique educational materials, or a car buff wanting to showcase your vehicle -- the redesigned Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNT) Web site (www.bridgestonetire.com) has something for everyone.

BFNT recently launched the first phase of its newly designed Web site with the consumer in mind.  Initially targeting consumers in the United States and Canada, the site is currently available in English (for consumers in the United States and Canada) and in French (for Canadian customers).  Contents may vary by country since certain features are only available in certain countries.

"In the world of technology and the World Wide Web nothing should be static," said Internet & Diversity Marketing Manager Michael Fluck, of BFNT's North American Consumer Tire Sales Group. "Our goal in the redesign was to take already popular features of the site and enhance them to make the site more efficient.  Essentially we wanted to simplify navigation and make the site more user friendly for our visitors. Since the reorganization of our North American operations last fall, it made perfect sense to now incorporate information on Canada in the already well traveled Web site. 

Our goal is to have the Web site in Spanish by the end of the calendar year."

Site contents include:   

a tire selector through which consumers can select tires based on vehicle fitment, size, brand, category or product name;

product news and press information, including downloadable photo images;

a catalog of Bridgestone, Firestone, and Dayton branded merchandise;

a store locator to find the nearest authorized retailers (United States and Canada) or specialty tire retailers (such as those selling Run Flat tires);  The store locator also offers users a map to the desired retail location and detailed driving directions;

links to Bridgestone sites worldwide which allow single click access from any page to the global world of Bridgestone;

a motor sports section, which has always been a popular feature on the Bridgestone/Firestone consumer Web site. Information is available on various racing activities including CART, IRL, Kart, and The Bridgestone/Firestone Racing Academy (Canada);

An automotive enthusiast section on which tuners and enthusiasts may post photos of their restyled vehicle;

A section for children including a downloadable activity book with word searches, puzzles and a coloring book;

Tire safety information which drivers' education instructors may find very useful.  Tire safety information is available via link from the consumer site to Bridgestone/Firestone's Tiresafety.com ( www.tiresafety.com ) where information is available in English, French, and Spanish to help explain tire technology and maintenance. A useful tool on this site is also an inflation reminder that is automatically sent to site registrants monthly;

Explanations of key Bridgestone/Firestone technologies such as UNI-T, UNI-T AQ, UNI-T AQII are also on the site.

An advertising gallery showcasing over 500 historic Bridgestone, Firestone and Dayton tire ads; and consumers may apply online for a Credit First National (CFNA) credit card for purchases at Bridgestone/Firestone retailers.

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