Judge Dismisses Class Action Move Against Steeltex Tires
A California judge today dismissed a motion seeking national class action status for an on-going lawsuit alleging defects in Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire’s entire Firestone Steeltex line. The ruling, which came after months of delays, is expected to be appealed by attorney Joseph Lisoni, who has made it a personal crusade to force the court-ordered recall of all Steeltex tires.
Judge Approves $149 Million BFNAT Settlement
State District Judge Donald Floyd in Beaumont, Texas, has approved a $149 million settlement of 30 class-action lawsuits filed on behalf of Bridgestone/Firestone tire owners. The announcement comes more than three years after the 2000 recall of 14.4 million Firestone tires. Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT) agreed to the proposed settlement last July.
BFNAT Plant Shut Down After Blaze
A fire in one of three rubber stock mixers Mar. 13 temporarily shut down Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire’s Aiken, S.C., plant. No one was injured, and reports say that there was minimal damage to the facility.
Firestone Tire and Service Centers Kick Off 2004 Car Care Academies
BFS Retail & Commercial Operations, LLC (BFRC) has announced the nationwide schedule for its 2004 Car Care Academy campaign, which kicks off in time for National Car Care Month in April. These free, interactive seminars will be held at Firestone Tire & Service Centers and Tires Plus stores across the U.S. The seminars will teach consumers what they can do on a monthly basis to help keep their cars running in better condition.
American Tire Distributors Adds to Team of Equipment Specialists
American Tire Distributors has added to its team of equipment specialists with the recent hiring of Ralph Bachemin. Bachemin, who joined American Tire Distributors in January, handles automotive equipment sales and service for the company’s Mobile, Ala., distribution center, covering Southern regions of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. Bachemin joins a network of approximately 45 equipment specialists employed by American Tire Distributors across the U.S. who assist dealers in establishing and maintaining a productive automotive services shop.
NHTSA Ties Recalled Steeltex Tires to Five Deaths
In what it called a “voluntary safety campaign,” Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT) recalled about 297,000 tires in LT265/75R16 LR D on 2000-2002 and some early-2003-model-year Ford Excursions late last week. Now, NHTSA is reporting that it has linked six accidents, which resulted in five fatalities and 20 injuries, to the Steeltex tires being recalled.
Class-action Decision Delayed in BAH Hearing; Firestone Recalls Another 297,000 Steeltex Radial A/T tires
An Indio, Calif., hearing to determine if a lawsuit over Bridgestone/Firestone’s Steeltex tire brand should gain class-action status has been postponed until Mar. 17. The hearing was originally scheduled for Feb. 25. California Superior Court Judge Christopher Sheldon delayed the decision, saying he wanted a shorter version of the motion filed by Bridgestone Americas Holding (BAH) opposing class-action certification. In related news, late yesterday afternoon Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire announced a voluntary safety campaign in the U.S. to replace approximately 297,000 Steeltex Radial A/T tires in size LT265/75R16 LR D (Load Range D) on 2000-2002 and some early 2003 model year Ford Excursions. The company said preliminary data suggests that there could be an issue concerning the performance of these tires. The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that the new recall was initiated following three fatal crashes that claimed five lives.
Two Major Tiremakers Join U.S. EPA SmartWay Transport Partnership
Two major tiremakers — Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNT) and Michelin North America — have joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SmartWay Transport Partnership, a national partnership to help reduce greenhouse gas and other emissions from ground freight transportation.
Treading a New Path
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is hoping to make a huge splash with a new high-end line of all-season tires. The Akron, Ohio-based company will roll out its Assurance line this spring with its biggest advertising blitz in more than a decade. Goodyear is counting on the new tires to help deliver a turnaround after four years of disappointing sales.
TIA Off-The-Road Tire Conference Set for Feb.
The Tire Industry Association’s (TIA) Off-The-Road (OTR) Tire Conference is set to take place next month in central Florida. This annual event attracts the largest gathering of executives and business owners that manufacture, service, repair, retread or supply products for the OTR market. Off-road racer Walker “The Legend” Evans will be the keynote speaker for the event. The OTR Tire Conference takes place Thursday through Saturday, February 26-28, at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, Fla.