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Shutdown Continues at Three Ford Truck Plants To Support Firestone Recall Effort

8 September 2000

Shutdown Continues at Three Ford Truck Plants To Support Firestone Recall Effort

    DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 8 Ford Motor Company is
extending the temporary shutdown another week at its St. Louis, Twin Cities
and Edison Assembly Plants in a continuing effort to divert 15" tires from
vehicle production to customers impacted by the Firestone recall.
    The Ford assembly plants in Missouri, Minnesota and New Jersey were idled
on Monday, August 28.  About 70,000 tires were diverted during the past two
weeks to Ford Motor Company dealers and customers as a result of the plant
shutdowns and other actions taken to replace 15" tires with 16" tires in
vehicle production wherever possible.
    During the shutdowns, plant employees unloaded tires, assembled shipments
and delivered replacement tires to nearby dealerships, allowing dealership
employees to concentrate fully on assisting customers with tire inspections
and tire replacements for recalled tires.
    "We are monitoring the situation week by week," said Martin Inglis, vice
president of Ford North America.  "We are seeing increased production from
Goodyear, Michelin and other tiremakers and expect that to grow rapidly in the
next week or two.  The safety and peace of mind of our customers remain our
greatest concerns."
    Twin Cities Assembly Plant produces the Ford Ranger; Edison Assembly Plant
produces the Ford Ranger and Mazda B Series trucks.  Ford Explorers are
produced at the St. Louis Assembly Plant.