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Statement by Christine Karbowiak Vice President, Public Affairs, Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., September 5, 2000

5 September 2000

Statement by Christine Karbowiak Vice President, Public Affairs, Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., September 5, 2000 
    NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 5 "Bridgestone/Firestone did not
participate in Ford's 'Customer Satisfaction Action' in Saudi Arabia because
there was no evidence of a tire design or manufacturing defect.  After
investigating the reported occurrences and surveying tire conditions in
Saudi Arabia, we shared with Ford our findings.  As Ford's representatives
indicated in the August 9, 2000 press conference, Ford agreed with
Bridgestone/Firestone's conclusion that the occurrences were caused by the
particular service conditions in Saudi Arabia, not the quality of the tires.
If Ford believed at that time there was a safety related defect, it was Ford's
obligation to comply with regulatory requirements."