Federal Judge Denies Michelin Motion For Injunction

    NASHVILLE--May 9, 2001--A federal court in Davenport, Iowa, has denied a motion by Michelin North America Inc., for a preliminary injunction against Bridgestone/Firestone Inc.
    The ruling was issued late Friday, May 4, 2001, by U.S. District Judge Charles R. Wolle.
    The case involves allegations by Michelin that Bridgestone/Firestone and Bandag Inc., tried to block Michelin's entry into the market for truck tire retread services.
    As the order states, Bridgestone/Firestone's position is that any alleged injuries suffered by Michelin are "a result of normal competition for increased market share, not injuries caused by any violation of federal laws governing competition."
    "This ruling is a major step toward confirming our position that Michelin's claims are without merit," said Christine Karbowiak, spokeswoman for Bridgestone/Firestone.
    Judge Wolle noted in his ruling that at hearings held April 16 and 17, 2001, no distributors or customers spoke in support of Michelin's position. The customers who did testify had rejected Michelin's retreading system on its merits. The judge further noted the record "suggests that Michelin retread products and services are flawed and not as satisfactory" as those offered by competitors.
    "If Michelin is experiencing difficulty in the marketplace, it has been the result of distributors and customers weighing the merits of competing products and then freely deciding to reject Michelin's retreading system," Karbowiak said.
    As it has in the past, Bridgestone/Firestone will continue to provide a full range of world-class products and services to its commercial trucking customers.