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Retailers Replaced 200,000+ Recalled Tires in 5 Days

17 August 2000

Bridgestone/Firestone Recall Expected to Be Completed Ahead of Schedule
    NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Five working days into its voluntary tire recall, 
Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., already has replaced more than 200,000 tires for 
customers across the United States, is doubling its production of replacement 
tires and has shortened its schedule for completing the recall.

    "We are doing everything we can to replace the recalled tires as fast as
possible, and it's clear that we are making progress in our efforts to satisfy
our customers and assure their safety," said Christine Karbowiak, vice
president of public affairs, Bridgestone Firestone, Inc.  "The number of tires
we've already replaced demonstrates our commitment to our customers."

    Based on the swift acceleration of production and responsiveness of
retailers, Karbowiak said the company should complete the recall sometime next
spring, instead of next summer as previously projected.

    On August 9, Bridgestone/Firestone voluntarily recalled all 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.

    Bridgestone/Firestone's U.S. plants are doubling the number of tire molds
and already are producing about 7,000 more tires a day than they were a week
ago.  In addition, the company is increasing imports and its retailers are
purchasing competitors' tires to augment their supply.

    Customers can go to get their tires replaced at any of more than
1,500 authorized Bridgestone/Firestone-owned stores and service centers,
8,500 authorized Bridgestone/Firestone dealer locations and 2,900 Ford/Lincoln
Mercury dealers.  This amounts to nearly 13,000 places around the country at
which customers can be helped.

    "We are very pleased to pass the 200,000 tire mark in the first five days,
and we are continuing to increase production and imports so even more tires
can be delivered to our retailers," said Karbowiak.  "This is just the
beginning, but it is a very good beginning to this recall."