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Firestone Recall – Now Bridgestone Sued For First Time

For the first time in the Firestone recall saga, Bridgestone is being sued alongside its US subsidiary. A 46-year old nurse, injured in an Explorer rollover accident, is suing Bridgestone Tokyo, the US-based subsidiary Bridgestone/Firestone Americas Holding Inc. and Ford. In the past, Bridgestone has claimed that it is not liable because its US company is independently operated, although in November a US District Judge ruled that Bridgestone can be held liable, as it transacts business in the United States and is therefore subject to US laws.

11th January 2002/by Tyrepress Editors

Superior Industries’ Wheel Production To Rise By 30 Per Cent, Say Analysts

A report from automotive analysts at UBS Warburg forecasts that aluminium wheel manufacturer Superior Industries will increase production capacity by 30 per cent by the end of next year, to 17 million wheels. This is despite a predicted slow down in US auto sales. Superior sells wheels to OEMs and 85 per cent of its business is with Ford and GM, supplying around half of their aluminium wheel requirements. The recent filing for Chapter 11 of Hayes Lemmerz is seen as a factor in the forecast production increase.

10th January 2002/by Tyrepress Editors

Sale of Kwik-Fit Becomes Increasingly Likely

Dated 8th January, The Financial Times refers to quotes from Ford top managers, Bill Ford and Sir Nick Scheele, that each part of the company is disposable, except the core business of production and sale of vehicles. Especially mentioned is the fast fit business chain Kwik-Fit, which cannot be counted as core business. Both managers expect a lot more problems for the Ford Motor Company in 2002.

9th January 2002/by Tyrepress Editors

Reconciliation Talks Between Ford And Bridgestone

Press reports in Japan say that talks have been held between Ford and Bridgestone, regarding the resumption of business relations. The two companies confirmed that talks have taken place but would not comment on whether or not any agreement had been finalised. Further discussions are expected later this month.

7th January 2002/by Tyrepress Editors

Ford Jr.: Not Just For Sentimental Reasons

Two weeks ago William “Bill” Ford (44) played his part in the fall of Jacques Nasser and took on the responsibility for the company himself. Since then he has taken every opportunity to emphasise that he is very interested in repairing the ruined relationship between Ford and Firestone. Many newspapers stressed that his two great grandfathers were the founders of Ford and Firestone and his mother was born a Firestone. But sentimentality alone is not sufficient motivation. Almost single-handedly the now-resigned Ford boss Nasser ordered the additional recall of 12 million Firestone tyres that will burden the company’s balance sheet with a figure in excess of two billion US-Dollars. This has been regarded as completely unnecessary by Firestone and the tyre manufacturer has rejected any responsibility for this act. After the US safety administration (NHTSA) and Firestone had agreed on a voluntary recall of some hundred thousand tyres, costing the tyre manufacturer a two-figure million Dollar amount of money, Firestone regards its attitude as justified. Ford wanted to present the bill to Bridgestone/Firestone at the right time. This may not be possible, in legal terms, the car producer might have no grounds against Firestone. It is possible that a voluntary agreement could provide a way not to lose the face in front of the shareholders. If Bridgestone/Firestone were to resume its old position as a key supplier, settlements to accounts could be presented in a plausible way, as has already happened for example in the case of General Motors and Volkswagen in the “Lopez Affair”.

28th December 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Top Executives Of Bridgestone/Ford Meet

According to Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbum, the top executives of Bridgestone Corp. and Ford Motor Co. met in Honolulu last weekend in a move towards repairing the rift between the two companies over the recall of Firestone tyres on Ford Explorers. Bridgestone CEO Shigeo Watanabe met with Nick Scheele, Ford chief operating officer, a Bridgestone spokesman said, this being the first talk at senior management level between the two companies since their 100-year relationship was severed in May. The two companies agreed to further meetings, with John Lampe, CEO of Bridgestone/Firestone Inc., participating next time, although no timetable has yet been announced. Both Ford and Bridgestone want to resume their long-standing business relationship. The Japanese tyre manufacturer will, according to industry pundits, supply Bridgestone tyres at a special price in order to contribute to the costs incurred by Ford during its voluntary and hasty Firestone tyre recall.

28th December 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Rumours Regarding The Ford PAG Group

There is speculation in some business newspapers that Wolfgang Reitzle, boss of PAG (the luxury car segment), might leave his post. Reitzle is a close friend of Jacques Nasser, who recently had to quit his job as CEO of the Ford Group. It is said that the European luxury segment could become part of Ford Europe and lose its independence.

28th December 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Brazilian Recall For Bridgestone/Firestone

The Brazilian subsidiary of Bridgestone/Firestone is recalling almost 40,000 tyres, fitted on Ford F-250 and F-350 pick-ups. This follows 16 tread separation incidents, but Bridgestone/Firestone stresses that the recall is purely a preventative measure and there have been no accidents or injuries reported.

28th December 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Another Loss Warning From Ford

Ford has warned that it expects to lose $900 million in the fourth quarter; which will be the company’s third consecutive quarterly loss. This figure is in addition to the estimated $700 million one-off charge that the company will make to facilitate restructuring. Ford’s shares fell by 3.8 per cent at the news, despite a general rise in the stock market.

28th December 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

New Key Account Manager Ford And Viborg In Clermont-Ferrand

Michael Hottner (38) will become the key account manager at the tyre manufacturer’s headquarters in Clermont-Ferrand for Michelin customers Ford of Europe and the Viborg group. Hottner was responsible for two-wheeler business for seven years at Michelin Germany

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Tyre Pressure Sensors To Be Standard On New Explorers

Ford has announced that tyre pressure sensors, which alert the driver when a tyre loses pressure, will be fitted as standard on its 2002 Explorer SUV and on other models from 2005. The company says that fitting the sensors is merely one element of a series of improvements and safety features on the vehicle.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

More Difficulties For Ford In The US

First came the second tyre recall with costs up to 3 bn $-US, secondly the “extended guarantee” due to problems with ignition systems, and thirdly many quality-related recalls of new car models, all of which have cost Ford a lot of its expected profit. Therefore the management has announced early retirement for up to 5000 white collar workers in the US. This is seen as the first step in a major restructuring in North America, where Ford has announced about 13 p.c. fewer new registrations compared with the same time last year, whereas the market in general shows only about 5p.c. fewer registrations of new cars. Analysts from Wall Street have already greeted Ford’s latest decision positively.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Business Between Ford And Bridgestone/Firestone Cancelled

Finger pointing between Ford and Bridgestone/Firestone is continuing and has reached the point where the tyre manufacturer has terminated its business relationship with Ford after 100 years. In a written statement, BF-boss Lampe said “we believe that the auto maker is attempting to divert scrutiny of the vehicles by casting doubt on the quality of Firestone tyres. The tyres are safe and as we have said before, when we have a problem we will acknowledge that problem and fix it. We expect you (Ford) to do the same.” The assumption that Ford’s Explorer is a problem-car seems to be based also on the fact that Ford felt forced last week to recall more than 50,000 Ford-Explorers equipped with Michelin and Goodyear-tyres, avoiding the word recall but calling it a “Customer Satisfaction Program.” While the business with Ford accounts for only five per cent of BF’s total turnover, virtually everything depends on the success of the Explorer for Ford; the company’s best selling car for years and its cash cow.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

European Replacement For Bridgestone/Firestone

Bridgestone/Firestone is offering to replace, free of charge, a small number of tyres fitted to European Ford Explorers even though there have been no tyre related roll-overs in Europe. The tyres are P235/75R15 and P255/70R16 Wilderness AT with DOT numbers ending in 4, 5, 6, or 7. Additionally, these tyres with the last three digits of the DOT number from 108 through to 188 are also included.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Court Decision Welcomed By Ford And Firestone

In the US, a federal judge turned down lawyers’ requests to order a recall of Ford Explorers and Firestone tyres. The judge ruled that only the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has the authority to order such a recall. Bridgestone/Firestone has already indicated that it would fight any such order from the NHTSA in the courts. In a rare moment of unanimity, both Ford and BF Inc. welcomed the judge’s decision.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors