Bridgestone Corp. said it will raise prices on tires sold through retailers as of September, citing high costs for such materials as natural and synthetic rubber. The increase will mark a second round of price hikes this year, the first being in March and April.

Prices on passenger car and small truck tires will climb 5 percent, while truck and bus tires will increase 7 percent. Products for cranes and other construction equipment will go up 10 percent, those for forklifts and other industrial vehicles 7 percent to 10 percent, and motorcycle tires 3 percent to 10 percent.

Following the hike, passenger car tires will cost nearly 30 percent more than in 2004.

Bridgestone had raised prices by a range between 5.5 percent and 10 percent in the hikes earlier this year, but the tiremaker said costs have continued to climb for raw materials, including carbon black. (Courtesy of Tire Review)