BRIDGESTONE Europe’s widely reported transaction with TomTom Telematics, for a cash consideration of €910 million, will bring together the world’s largest tyre and rubber company with the number one provider of digital fleet solutions in Europe, thus creating a leading data platform for connected vehicles.
The automotive industry is rapidly heading towards a connected, autonomous, shared and electric (CASE) future and Bridgestone EMEA is meeting these opportunities by rapidly transforming from a tyre producer into a mobility solutions leader. This acquisition underlines this statement, stressed a Bridgestone spokesman.
Over the last few years, Bridgestone has invested heavily in capabilities in data collection from sensors, data platforms and analytics, while also pioneering a range of digital solutions and applications.
• The move has been welcomed by Paul Cochrane head of top UK TomTom Telematics partner based in Cumbernauld.
‘We knew this TomTom division was up for sale and we feared a venture capitalist would move in, but Bridgestone work in the same ‘partnerships’ basis . So it’s good news for us,’ he enthused.
