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American Morning

Ford and Firestone Head to Capitol Hill

Aired June 19, 2001 - 10:01   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: For two of the nation's largest companies, all roads lead to Capitol Hill. And a collision is all but certain there. At the bottom of the hour, top executives from Ford and Firestone will answer some questions. And then we expect them to exchange blame over the handling of defective tires. More than 200 people have died and hundreds more have been injured in accidents involving Firestone tires. Most of the cases also involved Ford Explorers.

CNN's Tim O'Brien now takes a look at the hearing and the heat.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TIM O'BRIEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A caravan of hundreds of Ford Explorers motored to Washington in support of the auto company. The demonstration was organized by the United Auto Workers Union; the vehicles owned and driven by Ford employees.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's time for the working people to stand up and support Ford Motor Company.

O'BRIEN: The CEOs of the auto company and the tire company will square off in this hearing room with what is expected to be yet a new round of finger-pointing.

JACQUES NASSER, CEO, FORD MOTOR COMPANY: We know that this the Firestone tire issue, not a vehicle issue.

JOHN LAMPE, CEO OF BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE: Most of the deaths and injuries involved Ford Explorers, not other vehicles equipped with the same tires.

O'BRIEN: Government studies show that sport utility vehicles are two to three times more likely to roll over than most passenger cars. Firestone admits problems with its tires, but says Explorers are more likely to roll over after a tread separation. Ford denies that and points out that, overall, the Explorer has a better-than-average safety record among SUV's. Some safety experts place blame with both companies and with the Department of Transportation for failing to adequately warn the motoring public.

CLARENCE DITLOW, CENTER FOR AUTO SAFETY: And the government has not done anything visible, and yet, once again, we're entering another summer driving season when Firestone tires are most likely to fail on Ford Explorers.

O'BRIEN: Top Transportation Department officials are sure to be questioned about that at the hearing.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: The Center for Auto Safety has an interesting take on all of this, saying Ford is right: There is a design problem with the Firestone tires. And Firestone is right: There is some sort of problem with the Ford Explorer in certain kinds of accidents. Put the two together and you have an enhanced potential for danger.

But the real problem, the greatest problem is not so much for the car or the tire, but with SUVs themselves: that because of their higher center of gravity, they are much more likely, two to three times more likely to roll over in an accident than most passengers cars -- Leon.

HARRIS: All right, thanks much, Tim O'Brien in Washington.

Now, there may be another angle to the story as well. Congressional investigators are expected to unveil a disturbing finding at this morning's hearing.

According to the analysis they've done, Ford may be replacing Firestone tires with brands that have even higher failure rates. The five-month inquiry contends that some of the Michelin, Continental or Goodyear tires have been reported to have higher claim rates than the Wilderness AT tires that now under recall by the carmaker. Ford defends its selection of those replacement tires and says that government regulators had signed off on their plans.

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