Sponsoring the Future of Mobility Innovation: Bridgestone Returns as Title Sponsor of the World Solar Challenge 2023

Bridgestone Corporation, a global leader in tyres and rubber, announced its continued title sponsorship of the World Solar Challenge 2023, a competition for teams to design, build, and compete with solar-powered vehicles in the world’s foremost solar technology and advanced engineering challenge.

Bridgestone's sponsorship of the World Solar Challenge aligns with the company's commitment to sustainability and innovation. “Our continued support of the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge amplifies three of our core focus areas in the Bridgestone E8 Commitment by delivering value to society, our customers and future generations in Energy, Ecology, and Efficiency. All three of these focus areas are directly linked to our environmental targets – to achieve carbon neutrality and work with 100% recycled and renewable materials by 2050, as well as advance sustainable tyre technologies and solutions that preserve the environment for future generations” said Koji Takagi, Management Board Member and Chief Sustainability Officer, Bridgestone EMIA.

As part of the sponsorship, Bridgestone EMIA is also supporting nine university teams in its region. These teams will compete in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, showcasing their cutting-edge designs and engineering solutions. The competition serves as a platform to inspire future generations of engineers and promote sustainability and environmental awareness.

Bridgestone's involvement in the World Solar Challenge reflects the company's dedication to creating a more sustainable future, and its commitment to supporting the development of new technologies that will help to reduce the carbon footprint of the transportation industry. For the competition, the company will equip the university teams with Bridgestone tyres that make use of pioneering technologies that can enhance the performance of their solar powered vehicles. 

An example is the ENLITEN tyre technology platform, Bridgestone’s innovative approach to premium tyre development. The combination of multiple cutting-edge technologies provides maximum safety and outstanding tyre performance for drivers, while improving the sustainability characteristics of the tyre. Additionally, ENLITEN makes the Bridgestone tyre portfolio more adaptable to the latest mobility evolution, making all Bridgestone tyres fully EV-ready.

"We are proud to support the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, and to be a part of the effort to drive innovation in sustainable mobility," said Koji Takagi, Management Board Member and Chief Sustainability Officer, Bridgestone EMIA. "Through our sponsorship, we aim to inspire and support the next generation of engineers and leaders, who will play a crucial role in shaping the future of sustainable mobility."

The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 2023 will take place in October and will bring together teams from around the world to compete in a challenge that spans over 3000 km across the heart of Australia, showcasing their engineering skills and commitment to sustainability.

Bridgestone’s support of the World Solar Challenge aligns with the Bridgestone E8 Commitment, the broad global corporate commitment that clearly defines the value the company is promising to deliver to society, customers, and future generations in eight focus areas.

Media information: Liesbeth Denys, Director Public Affairs and Communications EMIA: +32 478 78 26 22

About Bridgestone in Europe, Middle East, India and Africa

Bridgestone in Europe, Middle East, India, and Africa (Bridgestone EMIA) is the regional Strategic Business Unit of Bridgestone Corporation, a global leader in tyres and sustainable mobility solutions.

Headquartered in Zaventem (Belgium), Bridgestone EMIA employs more than 20,000 people and conducts business in 40 countries across the region.

Bridgestone offers a diverse portfolio of premium tyres, tyre technologies and advanced mobility solutions. The company’s vision is to provide social and customer value as a sustainable solutions company. The Bridgestone E8 Commitment is a broad, global corporate commitment that clearly defines the value the company is promising to deliver to society, our customers and future generations in eight focus areas; Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, Ease and Empowerment. These provide a compass to guide strategic priorities, decision making and actions throughout every area of the business.

For more information about Bridgestone in EMIA, please visit www.bridgestone-emia.com and press.bridgestone-emia.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and LinkedIn.