Bridgestone Corporation was founded in 1931 by Shojiro Ishibashi in the city of Kurume , Japan . The company name comes from the literal translation of word Ishibashi, which in Japanese means “stone bridge”. Today is the first manufacturer of tires , followed by Michelin , Goodyear , Continental and Pirelli .After the Second World War , Bridgestone started manufacturing motorcycles, but its greatest benefits come from tire manufacturing by companies such as Honda , Suzuki and Yamaha using their products. Later he decided to leave the motorcycle business and, in the year 1988 , the company acquired Firestone , also a manufacturer of tires. Currently sponsoring the Copa Sudamericana soccer club in South America.

Traditionally shared with Michelin its presence in various motor racing teams in Formula 1 , and its main backer the Scuderia Ferrari . But after the 2007 season , following the withdrawal of Michelin brand became the official tire of all the equipment, without presence of any other competing company. On November 2 of 2009 announced its decision to cease to be the official supplier after the 2010 season, claiming that “the company wants to redirect spending towards the development of innovative technologies and product lines that meet strategic objectives and strengthen our image as a technological leader, “said a company statement, although other sources indicate that the output of the Formula 1 of several Japanese companies and the global economic crisis have been the true motives. Pirelli replace Bridgestone in F1 in 2011. The media Italians have no doubts and point to the trans manufacturer as the sole supplier of tires for the coming years.

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