Lisoni & Lisoni Request Re-Opening Of Firestone Investigation

Lisoni & Lisoni has filed a petition with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) formally requesting that the agency reopen its investigation of the Firestone Steeltex tyre series, which it suspended.At the close of the investigation in April, 2002, the NHTSA said it would reopen its investigation if sufficient additional safety-related evidence became available. Lisoni & Lisoni announced it had provided the NHTSA with extensive documentation and evidence, which included remnants of the Steeltex tyres series R4S, R4SII and A/T which had suffered severe tread separation.

Commenting on the source of the alleged defects, William Hagerty, a tyre analyst stressed: “We have reason to believe that Bridgestone ordered Firestone to “de-engineer” the tyres to cut production costs, thereby compromising the quality and safety of the Steeltex tyres. Ultimately, these less robust tyres were unable to withstand the demands of larger vehicles. We also have reason to believe that Firestone instructed store owners not to submit warranty claims and tyre failure complaints in exchange for purchasing discounts, bonuses and other incentives.