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Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC Settles
Class Action Case
Nashville, Tenn. (July 24, 2003) – Bridgestone/Firestone North
American Tire, LLC (BFNT) today announced a settlement of a nationwide
class action lawsuit involving Firestone tires that were the subject
of the company’s August 9, 2000 voluntary recall and the October
4, 2001 replacement program.
The settlement, designed to benefit BFNT customers, focuses on consumer
safety, which is to be achieved through its centerpiece consumer
education campaign. Under the settlement, BFNT will spend $15,450,000
on a three-year consumer education and awareness program that will
focus on tire inflation, tire use, tire maintenance, driving safety
and automobile maintenance. The consumer education campaign will
include a national media campaign focused on tire safety and maintenance.
“We remain committed to safety,” said Christine Karbowiak,
Vice-President of Public Affairs for Bridgestone Americas Holding,
Inc. (BSAH) “Under this settlement, we will make a substantial
investment in a campaign to educate consumers about the importance
of proper tire maintenance which will ultimately make roads safer,” Karbowiak
concluded. BFNT also said that for seven years certain tires will
be manufactured with cap strips, nylon strips, or comparable technology
that provides the same or better high speed capability.
In addition, if there are any remaining Class Members with tires
from the voluntary August 2000 recall or the October 2001 replacement
program that are still on their vehicles, they can take the tires
to a Firestone Tire and Service Center to be replaced at no charge.
The agreement resolves numerous class action lawsuits filed against
the company following its voluntary August 2000 action regarding
the recall of certain Firestone ATX, ATX II and Wilderness AT brand
tires. These lawsuits involved customers who had tires that were
among those that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
began investigating in May 2000, but who did not suffer personal
injury or property damage.
This settlement has been presented to Judge Donald Floyd of the
172nd District Court in Beaumont, Texas for approval. Judge Floyd
has directed that the parties present the court with a plan to provide
notice to the class members of the settlement and of a final fairness
hearing.
Class members who would like to receive more information about the
settlement may call, toll free, 1-866/345-0360.
The company denies any wrongdoing or liability and believes this
action and all related actions are without merit, but entered the
settlement to avoid the burden and expense of protracted litigation.
Nashville-based Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC,
is a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., whose parent
company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world's largest tire and
rubber company. BFNT develops, manufactures, and markets Bridgestone,
Firestone, Dayton and associate and private brand tires. The company
is focused on wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying
passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off-road, agricultural
and other tires to its customers in North America. |
