Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC
Appoints Aiken County Plant Manager

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 10, 2002) - Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) today announced that Masao Wada, 54, will be assuming the position of plant manager of the company's Aiken County, S.C. tire manufacturing facility in mid-February 2002. His actual assignment date has not yet been determined. Wada succeeds Stephen W. Brooks who was promoted last December to Vice President Quality Assurance of BFNT and its parent company, Bridgestone/Firestone Americas Holding, Inc.

Wada has extensive experience in manufacturing and in plant management. After graduating from Keio University with a master's degree in chemical engineering he joined Bridgestone Corporation in 1971 as a process engineer. After several assignments in Japan, Wada was assigned to Bridgestone USA's LaVergne, Tenn. tire plant in 1983. Following the merger of the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company with Bridgestone's US operations in 1988, he was assigned to assist in startup activities at the company's Warren County, Tenn. tire plant. Wada has also served as the lead advisor at the company's Decatur, Ill. plant from 1993 to 1994, when he returned to Japan as production manager of the Bridgestone Kurume plant.

Speaking about Wada, Tim Kawakami, Vice President Manufacturing for BFNT said "Masao has a track record as an effective leader with proven technical skills. I am confident that he will be a positive addition to the fine team already in place at Aiken County and that he will continue Steve Brooks' legacy of nurturing positive relationships within the community."

Brooks, who served as plant manager of the Aiken County facility from October 2000 until his promotion last December recalls working with Wada during the startup of the company's Warren County, Tenn. plant. "Masao has a very strong manufacturing background, but just as importantly, he is a team player, a true leader and a good communicator. I'm sure he will enjoy working with the associates at our Aiken County plant and they will enjoy working with him."

Nashville, Tennessee based Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC is a subsidiary of Bridgestone/Firestone Americas Holding, Inc. BFNT develops, manufactures, and markets Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton and private and associate brand tires. The company is focused on wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off-road, agriculture and other tires to its customers in North America. Bridgestone/Firestone Americas Holding, Inc. is a subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation of Japan, the world's largest tire and rubber manufacturer. Through its subsidiaries, BFAH develops, manufactures, and markets a broad array of products including tires, industrial products such as air springs, roofing materials, synthetic rubber, and industrial fibers and textiles.