---

Bridgestone/Firestone Statement on Ford Action

12 August 2000

    NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Ford Motor Company is encouraging dealers to replace 
tires immediately.  Firestone welcomes this action.  It is complementary and 
supportive of our program.  In fact, from the beginning, dealers in every state 
have been replacing tires, as soon as possible, because the No. 1 priority for 
all of us is public safety and consumer confidence.

    The phasing program addresses the distribution of replacement tires.  It 
does not limit actions that dealers may take to satisfy their customers.

    As we increase U.S. production of replacement tires and ramp up supplies
from our global network, we are targeting deliveries to dealers and customers
in the four most affected states first.  Meanwhile, we continue to encourage
all dealers in all states to respond immediately to their customers, replacing
tires with competitors' brands, if necessary.