California Court Hearing on Feb. 25 to Determine If Firestone Steeltex Tire Lawsuit is Certified as National Class Action

--A defining moment in the 18-month old class action lawsuit against Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. (aka Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC) for alleged defects in its Steeltex tire series will take place on February 25 in the Riverside Branch of the California Superior Court when a hearing will be held to determine if the lawsuit will be certified as a national class action lawsuit. Should the certification be granted, the lawsuit would represent all complainants nationally who have experienced massive tread separations in Steeltex R4S, R4SII and A/T tires, making it possibly the largest class action lawsuit in the history of the United States.

The hearing comes one month (January 29) after Plaintiffs' legal counsel (Lisoni & Lisoni) granted a request from Bridgestone Corporation, Inc. of Japan, a co-defendant in the lawsuit, to be temporarily exempted from the lawsuit, pending completion of litigation against its own wholly-owned American subsidiary, Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC. It is estimated that there are over 30 million Steeltex tires on the nation's roads and highways. The lawsuit, filed on August 13, 2002, alleges that defects in the design and manufacture of the Steeltex tires have led to massive tread separations and resulted in accidents, injuries and deaths. In addition to individuals, operators of ambulances and emergency vehicles in 34 states have reported severe Steeltex tire failures.

WHAT:         Hearing on a motion by Plaintiffs' legal counsel in the
              Firestone Steeltex tire class action lawsuit to have the
              court certify that the lawsuit is national in scope and
              represents all claimants throughout the United States.

WHEN:         Wednesday, February 25, 2004

WHERE:        Riverside Branch of California Supreme Court
              Department 2-H
              46-200 Oasis Street, Indio

WHO:          LISONI & LISONI - Law firm representing Plaintiffs in 
               class action lawsuit.
              HOLLAND & KNIGHT - Law firm representing Bridgestone/
               Firestone, Inc.

LAWSUIT
WEBSITE:      Updated information on the class action lawsuit can be 
              obtained by viewing the lawsuit's website at: 
              www.firestonesteeltexclassaction.com.