Ford
Motor Company has joined with its consumers in deciding on the fate of Firestone.
On Friday, October 13, Ford Division informed its dealers they had reversed an
earlier decision to include Firestone tires as the default tire of choice, with
Goodyear and Michelin brands being provided as an option, for all orders submitted
through October 6, 2000. That means initially, all 2002 Ford Explorers, unless
changed by dealers, will be delivered with either Goodyear or Michelin brand tires.
According to a source within
Ford, that spoke on condition of anonymity, the primary reason for this recent
action by was due to the fact some dealers may not have been aware of the optional
Goodyear and Michelin brand tires. However, that same source also stated that
the inability of Firestone to yet determine a root cause for tread separations
experienced on the current and past model year Explorers also played a roll
in Ford’s decision.
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This latest action by Ford
adds further credibility to reports that the rift between Firestone and Ford
is at a critical stage which started with the announcement of the tire recall
by Firestone on August 9, 2000. The U.S. death toll from crashes blamed on the
failure of Firestone tires fitted to sport utility vehicles and light trucks
has risen to 119 according to the latest figures released by the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration.
Jason Vines, Ford Motor
Company Vice President of Communications said that Ford dealers are now turning
away replacement tires in Florida, as the recall nears completion and many other
states are getting into that same position now. Vines also went on to say, “We
plan to have the recall completed by the middle of November, if customers come
in. We are seeing some cases where people are waiting to get more use out of
their current tires before they get their free set, and that just blows my mind.”
Goodyear Global Communications
Director Chris Aiken was unaware of this recent action by Ford Motor Company
as he reports the specific Goodyear brand tire is currently in its certification
stage for use by Ford. But, Aiken did want to take this opportunity to mention
the support given by Goodyear to Ford Motor Company regarding the Firestone
tire recall. “We’ve supplied close to 2 million tires and that translates
into approximately 50% of all tires that have been utilized as replacements,”
said Aiken.
With the support of other
tire makers like Goodyear, Ford Motor Company’s choice to possibly rid itself
of the Firestone brand altogether is becoming easier. Firestone has stated publicly
that the fault of tread separations on their brand of tires may also by attributed
to the unique design of the Ford Explorer, and that is a claim that Ford vehemently
denies.
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