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Bridgestone/Firestone Announces Reimbursement Policy

15 August 2000

Firestone Tire and Service Centers, Authorized Retailers Will Purchase Competitors' Tires When Necessary
           

    NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. today announced how it will 
reimburse customers who incurred costs to replace tires that now are included in 
the company's voluntary recall.

    The reimbursement policy spells out how Bridgestone/Firestone customers
can be reimbursed for costs related to exchanging the tires that are included
in the recall -- the Firestone P235/75R15 Radial ATX and Radial ATX II tires
made in North America, and P235/75R15 Wilderness AT tires made at the Decatur,
Ill., plant.

    "We hope to quickly reimburse customers for costs they may have incurred
replacing tires that now have been recalled," said John Lampe, executive vice
president, Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.  "The policy covers Firestone tires as
well as competitors' tires that were purchased to replace the recalled tires,
and it is retroactive to January 1, 2000.  We believe this is a simple and
fair way to make things right for our customers."

    The policy covers those tires, purchased between January 1, 2000 and
August 8, 2000 from a company-owned Firestone Tire and Service Center or
authorized Bridgestone/Firestone retailer, that replaced the tires recalled on
August 9.  Prorated fees paid for the new tires will be reimbursed.

    It also covers recalled tires that were replaced with competitors' tires
between August 9 (the first day of the voluntary recall) and August 16, at
stores other than Firestone Tire and Service Centers or authorized
Bridgestone/Firestone retailers.  Bridgestone/Firestone will reimburse
consumers up to $100 per tire including applicable mounting and balancing
charges and taxes.

    If there is not a sufficient quantity of Bridgestone or Firestone
replacement tires in stock, Firestone Tire and Service Centers and
Bridgestone/Firestone retailers are instructed to find equivalent competitors'
tires to the customers' satisfaction.

    The policy will be explained on Bridgestone/Firestone's Web sites
(http://www.bridgestone-firestone.com or firestonetire.com) and in an advertisement
that will be published Wednesday in more than 41 major newspapers nationwide.

    The advertisement will explain the reimbursement program and help
consumers determine whether their tires are included in the voluntary recall.
Consumers may pick up reimbursement forms at Firestone Tire and Service
Centers or authorized Bridgestone/Firestone retailers or on the company's web
sites (http://www.bridgestone-firestone.com or firestonetire.com), and follow the
instructions on the form.

    "We are committed to educating consumers about our voluntary recall," said
Christine Karbowiak, Vice President, Public Affairs.  "By listing this
information in major publications throughout the country and making it
available in stores and on the website, we're making it simple for consumers
to determine if their tires are included in the recall, and we're saving time
for Firestone tire owners who are not affected."