Michelin To Supply Ford SUV Tires

DETROIT--The Wall Street Journal and other media outlets are reporting that Ford Motor Co. plans to equip most of its new Explorer sport utility vehicles with Michelin tires following the Firestone recall and its aftermath.

Michelin has been asked to “supply as many tires as needed” throughout the recall process, and Ford’s move to provide Michelins threatens a century-old relationship between Firestone and Ford--which has been the tiremakers biggest customer.

U.S. authorities are investigating 101 deaths over the past decade supposedly connected to Firestones affixed to Ford Explorers.

Ford is also negotiating with other tire makers to supply tires for the 2002 Explorer, which is to be available early next year, the newspaper said.

Jacques Nasser, Ford’s CEO, told the WSJ that the company plans for the first time to allow dealers and customers to choose which brand of tires they want on the SUV. Nasser said Ford also plans to offer tire choices for its other vehicles.

The WSJ said Michelin began discussing supplying the SUV tires for Explorers in 1997.

For more information, contact www.michelin.com or www.ford.com.