Bridgestone has launched their high-performance Potenza Sport tyre in South Africa this week.
Share with friends
The tyre, which was “co-created” by almost 4 000 drivers and end-users as part of its extensive research, is aimed at high performance vehicles, with exemplary wet and dry performance.
“This is a very exciting journey for the South African market,” Bridgestone Southern Africa’s CEO, Jacques Fourie, said during the launch. “While we have continued to update, refine and refresh our existing products, this has been an entirely new development, involving extensive research and development.”
Testing the new range of Potenza tyres at BMW xPark in Midrand.
According to Fourie, Bridgestone celebrated the group’s 90th anniversary around the world, but more significantly, the manufacturing plant in Brits, North-West Province, celebrated its 50th anniversary.
“The facility has consistently contributed to the country’s economy, job creation and technological innovation,” Fourie said. “While the Potenza Sport will not initially be manufactured in our local facility, the launch reinforces this enduring dedication to the country, as we are able to deliver the highest quality products, alongside our enduring production capacity.”
The tyre was tested by TÜV SÜD, one of Europe’s most respected independent automotive testing institutes, achieving the best performance in both dry braking and cornering and straight-line stability versus competitors in the premium segment, while offering outstanding wet performance.
Bridgestone CEO Jacques Fourie.
The Potenza Sport was put to the test at the BMW xDrive Park in Midrand, proving to have the shortest braking distance on a dry surface as well as maintaining vehicle stability when travelling both in a straight line and through a curve.
Custom-developed Potenza Sport tyres have already been selected as original equipment by some of the most prestigious car brands in the world at OEM level, including Maserati for its MC20 supercar, Lamborghini for the Huracán STO, the Audi RS3, Ferrari F171 and the Porsche Macan.
The front view of the locally manufactured Bridgestone Potenza.
The tyre will be available in 96 sizes from 17” to 22” to cover a wide range of passenger cars and on-road SUVs in the market, ranging from premium sedans and SUVs to luxury and prestige cars.
An overview of the development of and technology employed in the Bridgestone Potenza range.
South Africa’s automotive sector arrived at the recent South African Auto Week 2025 in Gqeberha with a renewed sense of optimism, backed by clear signs of recovery, reports Ecofin Agency.
As the dawn of Transport Month shifts South Africa’s focus onto the role of transport in the country’s development, the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA) is urging South African car buyers to leverage the expertise of the Finance and Insurance (F&I) Business Manager at dealerships.
September 30, 2025 will be remembered as a landmark day for both the South African automotive sector and for Foton globally, says the Chinese manufacturer after its first pre-production Completely Knocked Down (CKD) Foton bakkie rolled off the assembly line at its local plant.
Human beings have an innate inner drive to be autonomous, self-determined, and connected to one another. And when that drive is liberated, people achieve more and live richer lives.
South Africa’s automotive sector arrived at the recent South African Auto Week 2025 in Gqeberha with a renewed sense of optimism, backed by clear signs of recovery, reports Ecofin Agency.
September 30, 2025 will be remembered as a landmark day for both the South African automotive sector and for Foton globally, says the Chinese manufacturer after its first pre-production Completely Knocked Down (CKD) Foton bakkie rolled off the assembly line at its local plant.
Chinese automotive giant, Chery, is engaged in talks with multiple car manufacturers in South Africa about sharing production facilities to build its vehicles locally, the company's regional chief has revealed to Reuters.