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CNN Live Sunday

First Lawsuit Against Firestone Tires Goes to Trial Tomorrow

Aired August 12, 2001 - 16:06   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.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: The first lawsuit against defective Bridgestone/Firestone tires goes to trial tomorrow, but it could still be halted by a settlement. Firestone has settled more than 150 similar cases out of court. CNN's Patty Davis takes a look at the fallout from defective tires and the damage already done.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Scores of deadly accident involving Ford Explorers, equipped with Firestone tires, the tread separating from the tire, the Explorer rolling over. The federal government is seeking a mandatory recall of Firestone tires after the company refused to recall the tires on its own.

It wouldn't be the first recall for Firestone. In August, 2000, Firestone first took action, but it was voluntary.

GARY CRIGGER, V.P., BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE: Bridgestone/Firestone is taking the extraordinary step of announcing a voluntary recall.

DAVIS: The recall involved 6.5 million 15-inch Firestone tires made in its Decatur, Illinois plant. One month later, Ford and Firestone faced angry members of Congress.

MASATOSHI ONO, FORMER CEO, BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE: I apologize to you and the American peoples, especially for the family that have lost a loved one terrible -- in this rollover accident.

DAVIS: Explorer owners rushed to have their tires replaced. While the focus may have been on Firestone's tires, consumer advocates say the design of the Explorer was as much at fault in the rollovers.

JOAN CLAYBROOK, PRESIDENT, PUBLIC CITIZEN: I believe both companies share the blame, because the vehicle is prone to roll over, the tire is not robust enough, and when the tire fails, then the vehicle is uncontrollable.

DAVIS: In May, 2001, when Ford hinted it wanted a recall of another 13 million Firestone tires of all of its vehicles, Firestone severed its nearly 100-year relationship with Ford. One day later, Ford went ahead with its replacement effort. Both companies took aim at the other.

JOHN LAMPE, CEO, BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE: There is something wrong with the Ford Explorer. You could take all our tires off of the Ford Explorer, and the Ford Explorer would continue to roll over.

JACQUES NASSER, CEO, FORD MOTOR COMPANY: This a tire issue, and only a tire issue.

DAVIS: But the replacement effort has not gone as smoothly as Ford hoped. In July, 2001, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a defect investigation into one of the replacements. The Food/Firestone controversy has been linked to 203 deaths.

(on camera): Among those injured, a Texas family whose Explorer rolled over on a Mexican highway last year after a tire blowout. Their case against Firestone is the first to go to federal court.

Patty Davis, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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