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• Nissan Announces Record Results For FY 2000
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• Saab Wins 2001 World Traffic Safety Achievement Award For Its Innovative Active Head Restraint System 
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• BMW Group and Phoenix Consortium reach final agreement on the transfer balance sheet 
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• PSA Peugeot Citroen Joins Covisint 
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• Ford Donates $10 Million to Northwestern University for New Engineering Design Center
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• Innovative lightweight model on a 1114 km record-breaking journey
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• Dana Corporation Breaks Ground for New Structural Solutions Facility in Longview, Texas 
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News of  May 23, 2001

Ford Motor Company To Replace All 13 Million Firestone Wilderness AT Tires On Its Vehicles  

Ford's Action is Precautionary Measure Based On Lack of Confidence in Future Durability of Wilderness AT Tires 

Action is Based on Consistent Field Data, Information from NHTSA and Lab and Vehicle Testing  

John Rintamaki, Group Vice President and Chief of Staff outlines Ford Motor Company's tire replacement program.

Photo: Ford

Ford Motor Company said that it will replace all 13 million Firestone Wilderness AT tires on its vehicles. Ford's action, which the company described as precautionary, is based on analysis of data on the actual road performance of these tires, comparisons with the performance of comparable tires by other tire makers, a review of information developed by and received from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and extensive laboratory and vehicle testing.

The company said that many of the non-recalled Wilderness AT tires on the road today appear to perform substantially better than the tires recalled last year. However, analysis of real world performance data, information from NHTSA and lab and vehicle testing indicate that some of the non-recalled Wilderness AT tires will probably experience elevated failure rates at some time in the future.

Specifically, the company's decision to replace all Wilderness AT tires on its vehicles is based on several factors, including:

Field data, which is real world tire performance data, recently received from Firestone showed that failure rates had increased for some of the Wilderness AT tires. Projections indicate that the failure rates, while still relatively low compared with tires recalled last year, could reach unusually high levels in the future. 

Information shared by NHTSA showed that failure rates in actual road performance for many of the non-recalled Wilderness AT tires were measurably worse than comparable tires from other manufacturers. 

Laboratory and vehicle testing by Ford shows that tire design and variations in physical characteristics of the non-recalled Wilderness AT tires make them less durable than comparable tires from other manufacturers. The comparable tires include Goodyear tires on more than 500,000 Explorers. These test results are consistent with the NHTSA information and the real world data described above.

Given the consistency among results from Firestone, NHTSA and Ford's own data, the company concluded that it does not have sufficient confidence in the future performance of some of the Wilderness AT tires and that it will take the precautionary measure of replacing all Wilderness AT tires on its customers' vehicles.

Tire Replacement Program

Ford will be replacing twice as many tires as last year, and the company is working with other major tire manufacturers to expand the supply of replacement tires as rapidly as possible.

Initial details of the program:The company is replacing all 15, 16, and 17 inch Wilderness AT tires on Ford Motor Company products. 

Most Wilderness AT tires are found on the following Ford vehicles: Explorer, Expedition, Ranger and some F-150 pick up trucks. More than 80% of the tires in question are on Explorer. 

Tires can be obtained from the more than 3,500 authorized Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers that carry tires or from other authorized tire retailers. 

Tires will be replaced at Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers free of charge to customers. Ford will reimburse customers who purchase tires from other authorized retailers, with proof of purchase, up to a maximum amount. The maximum amount for 15- and 16-inch tires is $110 per tire; for 17-inch tires, $130 per tire. 

A list of recommended replacement tires will be available at authorized dealers and will be posted on Ford's website, www.ford.com under the Breaking News header. Firestone tires will not be used as replacements in this program. 

Because real world tire performance data, information from NHTSA and technical analysis shows that newer tires, those under three years old, have much lower failure rates, Ford will be prioritizing replacement of tires based on the age of the tire. Ford will replace all tires, but will be working with its customers to prioritize the replacement of older tires. 

Ford will contact customers by mail shortly regarding the replacement process. Customers can contact Ford at any time for information through the company's toll free customer service center at 866-300-1226, or by email at tireinquiry@ford.com 

Other Firestone tires on Ford Motor Company vehicles are not part of this program.

(May 21, 2001)

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