Bridgestone/Firestone Announces Promotions

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (October 15, 2002) – Bridgestone/Firestone Americas Holding, Inc. (BFAH) today announced that Eduardo Minardi, president of the company’s Argentine subsidiary, has been promoted to President of Bridgestone/Firestone de Mexico, S.A.deC.V. (BFMX). BFMX, based in Mexico City, is also a subsidiary of BFAH. The appointment is effective immediately. Minardi succeeds Jorge Gonzalez, who was promoted to Executive Vice President of BFAH and appointed President of Bridgestone/Firestone Latin American Tire Operations (BFLA). Succeeding Minardi at Bridgestone/Firestone de la Argentina S.A.I.C. (BFAR) is Ariel Depascuali.

In comments regarding Minardi, González pointed to Minardi’s “broad range of experience and excellent ‘people skills’ as factors that will serve Eduardo and BFMX well in his new position, as he works to continue our strong progress in making our business in Mexico a source of sustainable pride and profits for Bridgestone/Firestone.”

Minardi, 47, a native of Argentina, graduated from the University of Buenos Aires with a degree in Economics. He joined the company in 1989 and during his career he has held positions of increasing responsibilities in Argentina. His two most recent assignments were as Vice President and Commercial Director of BFAR (January, 1997) and President of BFAR (July, 2001). Due to his leadership, he leaves BFAR in a strong competitive position, having revived its business even in the face of significant economic issues that paralyzed many industrial enterprises in that country.

According to Gonzalez, improved communications and teamwork at BFAR are some of Minardi’s greatest successes. In 2001, BFAR received numerous quality awards, including Toyota’s Silver Supplier award.

Minardi, who will be relocating to Mexico City immediately, commented, “I am proud of the teamwork activities developed at BFAR and look forward to contributing to the success of Bridgestone/Firestone’s Mexican subsidiary.”

Depascuali, 43, was born in Argentina and graduated from the University of Moron, in Buenos Aires with a degree in Chemical Engineering in 1989. He received his Masters Degree in Business Administration from IDEA in Buenos Aires in 1999. Ariel, who has 20 years experience in the tire industry, joined BFAR in May 1999 as Technology Service Manager. During his career he has held several positions in the technical area, including Quality Assurance and Final Inspection Manager. Under his leadership as Production Director at BFAR, his last assignment at that company, BFAR was the first Bridgestone/Firestone plant in Latin America to qualify for TS16949.

Commenting on Depascuali’s promotion, Gonzalez praised his accomplishments in the manufacturing arena and said “I am confident that Ariel will bring the same dedication and discipline to his new position as President that he demonstrated as the head of BFAR production. He will build upon the successes of his predecessors with great energy and focus.”

Nashville-based Bridgestone/Firestone Americas Holding, Inc. is a subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world’s largest tire and rubber company. BFAH, through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures and markets a wide range of tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies also produce Firestone air springs, roofing materials, synthetic rubber, and industrial fibers and textiles and operate the world’s largest chain of automotive tire and services centers. Bridgestone/Firestone Latin American Tire Operations is an operating unit of BFAH comprised of tire manufacturing and sales subsidiaries located in Mexico, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Argentina, Brazil and Chile.

Bridgestone/Firestone de la Argentina S.A.I.C. and Bridgestone/Firestone de Mexico, S.A.deC.V. have operated in Argentina and Mexico for almost 90 and 70 years, respectively. The companies manufacture and market a wide range of tires for the OE, export, consumer, automotive and mining industries.