Recall of 6.5 Million Firestone Tires Nears Completion

    NASHVILLE, Tenn.--June 25, 2001--Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. announced today that as of Aug. 29 it will officially conclude its recall of 6.5 million P235/75R15 Radial ATX, ATXII tires and Decatur-produced Wilderness AT tires of the same size.
    The company has called for drivers to immediately replace tires that were the subject of last August's recall.
    "We've replaced more than 6.3 million tires to date, or about 97 percent of the tires estimated on the road subject to the recall. This is an extremely high replacement percentage for a recall. Nonetheless, we are urging all consumers who have not yet replaced their recalled tires to do so immediately," said Christine Karbowiak, vice president, public affairs, Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. There are more than adequate supplies of Firestone tires available and there are no waiting lists at the more than 8,500 authorized participating Firestone retailers nationwide. In addition, if a driver chooses to have the recalled tires replaced at a competitor's tire store, Firestone will continue to honor requests for reimbursement as long as the request is complete and postmarked by August 29, 2001.
    "We want to thank the driving public for its cooperation and understanding, and we regret any inconvenience this recall may have caused," Karbowiak said.
    The company voluntarily recalled approximately 6.5 million tires on August 9, 2000. These tires were size P235/75R15 Wilderness AT tires manufactured at the Decatur, Ill. plant and all Radial ATX and ATX II tires of the same size. In one of the fastest major recalls in history, the company has to date replaced more than 6.3 million tires.
    In December the company also announced the findings of its intensive four-month analysis into why this certain group of its tires, primarily on Ford Explorers, may have been more likely to experience an increased rate of tread separation claims. The company found that, in extreme cases, several factors acting in combination could account for the increased rate of claims.

About Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
    Nashville-based Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. is the largest subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation of Japan. Bridgestone/Firestone develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton, and house and private brand tires. The company also produces Firestone air springs, roofing materials, synthetic rubber and industrial products. For further information, please visit the Web site at www.bridgestone-firestone.com.
    To find the nearest dealer or store location, call the consumer hotline at 800-465-1904 or visit the Web site at www.firestone.com. For details on Firestone's reimbursement program, please visit the Web site or your local Firestone retailer.