Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. CEO Masatoshi Ono provided an update on the company's investigation into the cause or causes of the reported incidents with the recalled tires.
“We are working around the clock, utilizing all of our resources to determine the cause of these failures,” Ono said. “It may take time to scientifically determine the cause of the problem. Tires are highly complex engineered products. A typical tire can have more than 26 components, 14 different rubber compounds, and require 29 separate steps to manufacture. In addition, there are many other forces that affect tire performance such as weather, temperature, vehicle loads, driving styles, vehicle dynamics, inflation pressure and road conditions.”
In addition to assuring customers that the company's “highest priority is to complete the recall process as quickly as possible,” Ono explained the steps being taken to accelerate the recall. The company has:
-- Increased worldwide production of replacement tires.
-- Begun air freighting replacement tires made at Bridgestone Corp.’s manufacturing plants in Japan. The first shipment of new replacement tires have left on a Thai Airways flight from Japan and at least 10 more flights are planned before Monday. These shipments will continue nearly every day as long as needed to assist consumers involved with the recall.
-- Asked other tire manufacturers to increase their supplies of replacement tires.
-- Extended the reimbursement policy for tires involved in the recall. Consumers who choose to purchase competitors’ tires from any other tire retailer (other than Firestone Tire and Service Centers and authorized Bridgestone/Firestone dealers) can be reimbursed for up to $100 per tire, including mounting and balancing charges and taxes. Customers can continue to have their tires exchanged at Firestone Tire and Service Centers, participating Bridgestone/Firestone retailers, or at participating Ford dealers at no charge (and without upfront payment).
On Aug. 9, Bridgestone/Firestone issued a voluntary safety recall of all Firestone P235/75R15 Radial ATX and Radial ATX II tires made in North America, and P235/75R15 Wilderness AT tires made at the Decatur, IL, plant.