Bridgestone launches new regional and last mile tires, along with service dispatch software at TMC
NASHVILLE—Bridgestone Americas has rolled out two new tires that use the company’s Enliten technology, a design approach that enhances a tire’s performance and sustainability: the Bridgestone R273 Ecopia steer tire for regional trucks and Bridgestone Duravis M705 for mixed fleet vehicles, primarily in pick up and last-mile delivery.
“The new R273 Ecopia and Duravis M705 with Enliten technology demonstrate how Bridgestone continues to push to enhance our product performance with our goal toward sustainability in mind,” said Steve Hoeft, president of commercial truck group, Bridgestone Americas. “These tires reflect our approach of using real-world data to not only enhance performance for our fleet customers but also to infuse environmentally friendly practices into our industry.”
Bridgestone R273 Ecopia steer tire
The SmartWay-certified R273 is the second regional tire in the company’s portfolio to use Enliten, and customers should see longer tire life thanks to the use of a new proprietary tread compound and pattern.
The casing design also employs low-emissions compounds that use recycled and renewable materials for improved sustainability and better fuel efficiency, explained Robert Hamby, director of commercial product strategy for Bridgestone, who spoke to Fleet Maintenance at the 2025 TMC Annual Meeting held in Nashville’s in Music City Center (located a few blocks from Bridgestone Americas’ headquarters).
“The R273 really improves on irregular wear and extends that total value of ownership fleets are looking for,” Hamby noted.
He pointed out that the new steer tire also uses a four-rib pattern versus five previously, to improve fuel efficiency.
The R273 will be available later this year in the following sizes:
- 295/75R22.5
- 11R22.5
- 11R24.5
- 285/75R24.5
- 12R22.5
- 295/80R22.5.
Bridgestone Duravis M705
The M705 is the first Bridgestone tire for the P&D/last-mile segment to use Enliten. The mixed tread design in conjunction with 3D sipes fortify the tire from wear versus the M724, while also boosting traction. The M705 features the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake icon to denote its superior performance and traction in wintery weather.
Because of the nature of their routes versus long-haul, regional trucks will perform more twists and turns, Hamby explained, which is why designing to prevent irregular wear was so important. The M705 also has enhanced sidewall protection to mitigate curbing, as well as protect the casing for retreadability.
According to Bridgestone, the M705 is ideal for electric, gas, and diesel powertrains.
The M705 will also be coming out in the second half of 2025 with three sizes: 215/75R17.5, 225/70R19.5, and 245/70R19.5. The retread Bandag version will be called the B705D.
Service Dispatch
To help fleets quickly manage maintenance and emergency roadside service and schedule repairs, the company has also released its Service Dispatch solution.
The new tool was created based on customer feedback, explained Bernard Veon, director of mobility tech stack for Bridgestone, who walked Fleet Maintenance through a demo. The software can detect an event through a tire pressure monitoring system sensor, such as a blowout, and alert designated personnel, such as the centralized fleet dispatcher.
“It provides a step-by-step workflow for our dealer network to work a specific service event, Veon explained.
The “data payload,” as Veon called it, comprises information in the driver, fleet, location, and equipment, which is delivered to the fleet’s own internal or Bridgestone’s front-end dashboard. Then an event is automatically created for service providers to engage with.
“What’s unique about the solution is we integrate with all of our internal systems,” Veon said.
Customer notes also appear on the screen, such as requests to not use balancing powder when servicing the tires.
Veon said the ultimate benefit for fleets is Service Dispatch “gets them on the road more quickly— and then drives compliance. Those are the two big KPIs.”
