auto parts manufacturers,auto parts suppliers

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 2, 2008) – Beginning at last weekend’s Indy Racing League IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights events at The Milwaukee Mile, Firestone Racing made the switch from traditional lead wheel weights to the 3M™ Wheel Weight System for all of its operations.

“This change to non-lead wheel weights is just one of many efforts to protect and conserve our environment under Bridgestone’s global ‘One Team, One Planet’ program,” commented Al Speyer, Executive Director, Bridgestone Firestone Motorsports. “As a very visible part of Bridgestone Americas and Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC, Firestone Racing has been looking at ways we can be more ecologically sensitive, and the 3M Wheel Weight System provides us with the perfect opportunity to put our company’s principles into action. When it comes to protecting the environment, we’re all in this together.”

The 3M Wheel Weight System is constructed of a non-lead composite material for reduced environmental impact and corrosion-free results. Unlike traditional metal weights, the 3M material is flexible and can be custom cut to weight so wheels are precision balanced for increased performance and a better ride.

“We at 3M are working continually to develop technologies and products that have less impact on the environment while meeting the highest standards of performance. The 3M wheel weight system meets this objective, and helps support our customers’ environmental and performance goals,” said Scott Taylor, technology manager, 3M Automotive Market Center.

The wheel weights are attached using 3M™ Automotive Attachment Tape, a known and trusted technology that 3M has been providing to the industry for decades, which provides reliable, long-term performance for the 3M wheel weight system.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 22, 2008) – It’s time to fire up the video cameras and get the creative juices flowing. The 2008 Safety Scholars Video Contest, presented by Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC, will start accepting student-made, safety-themed videos on May 27.

The company is again turning to America’s teens for solutions presented in a creative format to help make roads safer for everyone. The Safety Scholars Video Contest now includes a chance for young video producers to have their auto safety videos broadcast as a public service commercial. The contest will award three $5,000 college scholarships for the most compelling and effective videos that drive home life-saving messages on auto and tire safety. The top 10 filmmakers will also receive a new set of Bridgestone tires.

“Because car crashes claim the lives of more 16- to 21-year-olds than any other cause, we feel safety education is a priority,” said Christine Karbowiak, Vice President of Public Affairs, Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. “After challenging young people last year to create their own videos about auto and tire safety, we were extremely impressed with the talent, skill and passion of our nation’s youth. We are proud to continue Safety Scholars as a contest for teens created by teens.”

Three unique stars of last year’s winning Safety Scholars videos included robots with road rage, text-messaging nutcracker dolls and seatbelt-savvy Lego® figurines.