Acceleration For The Firestone Tyre Recall

In an attempt to quicken the recall of tyres, Bridgestone/Firestone is to airlift tyres from its Japanese plants to the USA. At least one flight a day is anticipated. Ford has announced that it is to stop production of the Ford Explorer at its St.

Louis factory and of the Ford Ranger at two New Jersey plants for two weeks. The Ranger is fitted with the same size tyres as those fitted on the Explorer and being recalled by Bridgestone/Firestone. The move will free up 70,000 tyres for replacement and it is estimated that the cost to Ford in lost production will be over $100 m in after-tax profits.

Ford is also understood to have increased orders of tyres other than Firestone to speed up replacement of tyres for the Explorer. Goodyear says it has increased production fivefold and production at Michelin’s US factories has tripled..