Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire Announces
Original Equipment Tire Sales Management Changes

Nashville, Tenn. (Dec.12, 2001) - - Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) today announced that Art Stuart, Executive Vice President of BFNT and President of the company's Original Equipment Tire Sales organization, has elected to retire effective as of December 31, 2001. Mr. Stuart will be succeeded by Michael E. Martini, who most recently held the title Senior Account Executive/Global Team Leader in the company's Original Equipment Tire Sales group. Mr. Martini's promotion to Vice President, North American Consumer Tire, Original Equipment Sales, is effective December 1, 2001 in order to ensure an efficient transition prior to Mr. Stuart's retirement.

Stuart, 59, joined the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company in Akron in 1967 as a sales trainee. While he has experience in the retail tire market, including experience as a retail tire store manager, most of his career has focused on serving customers in the original equipment tire market. He has held the position of President of the company's Original Equipment Tire Sales organization (formerly known as the Original Equipment Tire Sales Company) since 1992.