Firestone Extends Reimbursement Program
to Meet Customer Needs
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 17, 2000
--- Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., today announced that it would
extend its voluntary safety tire recall reimbursement program
indefinitely, making it faster and more convenient for consumers
to safely re-equip their vehicles.
"We made this decision because we
want to do everything we can to satisfy our customers,"
said John T. Lampe, executive vice president of Bridgestone/Firestone.
"Nothing is more important to us
than the issue of safety."
Consumers may continue to have their
tires replaced free of charge at any company-owned Firestone
Tire and Service Center or participating authorized Bridgestone/Firestone
retailer. In an extension of a program previously set to expire
August 16, if customers desire, they may purchase a competitors’
tires from any tire retailer and be eligible for reimbursement
up to $100 per tire, including mounting and balancing charges
and taxes.
Customers then need to return the recalled
tires to one of the nearly 13,000 authorized Firestone retail
locations and pick up a refund form. Reimbursement checks will
be mailed to customers. Firestone is required by law to secure
all recalled tires.
In further efforts to speed the recall,
the company announced that one of the nation’s largest retailers
has agreed to participate in the replacement of Firestone tires,
bringing to a total some 13,000 outlets that are available to
serve customers throughout the nation. Costco will replace tires
at no charge to their members.
In addition, Bridgestone/Firestone
is doubling tire production, increasing imports and working
with other tire makers to ensure that all recalled tires are
taken off the road as soon as possible.
"We appreciate the cooperation
of other major U.S. tire manufacturers in ramping up their production
of replacement tires," said Lampe. "We are very grateful
for the hard work of our dealers and retailers to make sure
that all customers are taken care of quickly and courteously."
