Notice to retailers and customers
"Bridgestone" brand tyres imported by persons other than Bridgestone New Zealand Ltd."Bridgestone" Branded Tyres
"Bridgestone" branded tyres are manufactured by Bridgestone Corporation of Japan and its subsidiaries (the Japanese Manufacturer), and include tyres bearing the Bridgestone, Firestone, Supercat or Dayton brand. Bridgestone New Zealand Ltd. (Bridgestone New Zealand) is the only entity which is authorised by the Japanese Manufacturer to import and supply Bridgestone branded passenger, light truck and truck tyres (and other relevant goods) in New Zealand.
Bridgestone New Zealand is not the manufacturer of tyres which it imports. Entities other than Bridgestone New Zealand are not authorised by the Japanese Manufacturer to import these Bridgestone tyres into New Zealand.
The Japanese Manufacturer is the registered owner of all relevant New Zealand trademarks and has authorised Bridgestone New Zealand to use those trade marks in New Zealand.
New Zealand Standards
There are certain risks in fitting and using tyres which have not been supplied by Bridgestone New Zealand. Although the tyres may have been made to comply with the laws and standards of their place of origin, these tyres may not comply with the laws and standards of New Zealand.
Quality & Performance
The tyres that Bridgestone New Zealand imports are deemed by Bridgestone technical staff to be suitable for the New Zealand conditions. Tyres not imported by Bridgestone New Zealand may meet an alternative specification which is less suitable for New Zealand conditions. This may not be apparent to the retailer or customer.
Although the tyre size designation, load index, speed symbol and tread pattern may appear similar, often the tread compound and casing construction of tyres not imported by Bridgestone New Zealand may be different and not suitable for New Zealand conditions.
Bridgestone New Zealand technical staff assess the local operating conditions, and only tyres which have design features that are considered suitable to meet those conditions are imported by Bridgestone New Zealand.
Unauthorised importers may not have the knowledge necessary to determine which Bridgestone products are best suited to local New Zealand conditions.
Bridgestone branded tyres which have not been imported by Bridgestone New Zealand may be a few years old by the time they arrive in New Zealand and may have been stored in unfavourable conditions.
The mixing on a vehicle of tyres not imported by Bridgestone New Zealand with tyres imported by Bridgestone New Zealand could create uneven wear of the tyres with some wearing out faster than others. The handling of the vehicle may also be affected.
Warranty / Liability
Bridgestone New Zealand provides a manufacturer's warranty for the life of the tyre (New Zealand standards for legal tread depth) for manufacturing or material defects associated with the tyre.
Bridgestone New Zealand does not provide a manufacturer's warranty on any Bridgestone tyre not imported by Bridgestone New Zealand. (NB: Tyres fitted to new vehicles as original equipment tyres are an exception.)
As discussed above, Bridgestone New Zealand is able to guarantee that tyres imported by it will have particular qualities.
For these reasons, tyres not imported by Bridgestone New Zealand will not carry performance warranties or other warranties issued by Bridgestone New Zealand.
If a tyre, not imported by Bridgestone New Zealand, fails or is defective, all claims relating to that tyre should be directed to the importer and not to Bridgestone New Zealand.
Consumer Guarantees Act
The Consumer Guarantees Act includes provisions which are aimed at providing protection for consumers who purchase goods in New Zealand. These provisions include a set of "consumer guarantees" relating to goods.
Bridgestone New Zealand is the only entity which is authorised by the Japanese Manufacturer to import "Bridgestone" branded passenger, light truck and truck tyres (and other relevant goods) into New Zealand.
Bridgestone New Zealand is not the manufacturer of "Bridgestone" branded tyres.
Therefore, a person who imports Bridgestone branded tyres into New Zealand without authority of Bridgestone New Zealand may be deemed to be the "manufacturer" of the tyres for the purposes of the Consumer Guarantees Act and may incur liability for those Consumer Guarantees Act "consumer guarantees" which relate to manufacturers.
Suppliers of tyres which have not been imported by Bridgestone New Zealand may also incur liability for those Consumer Guarantees Act "consumer guarantees" which relate to suppliers.
Fair Trading Act
The Fair Trading Act includes provisions which prohibit misleading or deceptive conduct in general. You do not have to intend to mislead or deceive; it is whether your actions did or could mislead or deceive.
As customers may be unable to distinguish whether or not tyres have been imported by Bridgestone New Zealand, suppliers of tyres which have not been imported by Bridgestone New Zealand may consider it prudent to ensure that their customers are aware that:
- the tyres have not been imported by Bridgestone New Zealand;
- Bridgestone New Zealand does not provide a warranty in relation to the tyres;
- the tyres may have different qualities to tyres imported by Bridgestone New Zealand, may not comply with New Zealand standards or be suitable for New Zealand conditions;
- the person importing the tyres, and the supplier of those tyres, is likely to be the person who is responsible for statutory consumer guarantees relating to the tyres;
- Bridgestone New Zealand will not provide after sales service in relation to such tyres.
If you are concerned about whether certain "Bridgestone" branded tyres have been imported by Bridgestone New Zealand, or by an unauthorised importer, please contact your supplier or Bridgestone New Zealand.