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IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO REPLACE ALL
13 MILLION FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES ON ITS VEHICLES
Ford's Action is Precautionary Measure Based On Lack of Confidence in Future
Durability of Wilderness AT Tires
Action is Based on Consistent Field Data, Information from NHTSA and Lab and
Vehicle Testing
Ford Motor Company today said that it will replace all 13 million Firestone
Wilderness AT tires on its vehicles. Ford's action, which the company described
as precautionary, is based on analysis of data on the actual road performance of
these tires, comparisons with the performance of comparable tires by other tire
makers, a review of information developed by and received from the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and extensive laboratory and
vehicle testing.
The company said that many of the non-recalled Wilderness AT tires on the road
today appear to perform substantially better than the tires recalled last year.
However, analysis of real world performance data, information from NHTSA and lab
and vehicle testing indicate that some of the non-recalled Wilderness AT tires
will probably experience elevated failure rates at some time in the future.
Specifically, the company's decision to replace all Wilderness AT tires on its
vehicles is based on several factors, including:
o Field data, which is real world tire performance data, recently
received from Firestone showed that failure rates had increased for
some of the Wilderness AT tires. Projections indicate that the failure
rates, while still relatively low compared with tires recalled last
year, could reach unusually high levels in the future.
o Information shared by NHTSA showed that failure rates in
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actual road performance for many of the non-recalled Wilderness AT
tires were measurably worse than comparable tires from other
manufacturers.
o Laboratory and vehicle testing by Ford shows that tire design and
variations in physical characteristics of the non-recalled Wilderness
AT tires make them less durable than comparable tires from other
manufacturers. The comparable tires include Goodyear tires on more than
500,000 Explorers. These test results are consistent with the NHTSA
information and the real world data described above.
Given the consistency among results from Firestone, NHTSA and Ford's own data,
the company concluded that it does not have sufficient confidence in the future
performance of some of the Wilderness AT tires and that it will take the
precautionary measure of replacing all Wilderness AT tires on its customers'
vehicles.
William Clay Ford, Jr., chairman of Ford Motor Company, said, "Today's
announcement to replace Wilderness AT tires reflects our deep-seated conviction
that customer safety always comes first. The actions of Ford's people and its
partners, including our dealers, employees, tire suppliers and independent tire
retailers, are true to what's at the core of our value system at Ford Motor
Company -- nothing is more important than the safety of our customers. The
decisions announced today have my full support and that of the entire Board."
Jacques Nasser, president and chief executive officer of Ford Motor Company,
said, "Our unequivocal commitment to our customers is the core value of Ford
Motor Company. Since last year, we have closely monitored field data from
Firestone, worked closely with NHTSA, and conducted extensive laboratory and
road testing. Taken together, all the data and analysis do not give us
sufficient confidence in the future durability and performance of the
non-recalled Wilderness AT tires on our vehicles. While some of the tires we are
replacing do not have a substantial failure risk, we are offering to replace all
Wilderness AT tires to avoid any confusion among our customers and eliminate any
doubt about the quality of their tires. There are early warning signs about
these tires, and we will not ignore them."
Tire Replacement Program
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Ford will be replacing twice as many tires as last year, and the company is
working with other major tire manufacturers to expand the supply of replacement
tires as rapidly as possible.
Initial details of the program:
o The company is replacing all 15, 16, and 17 inch Wilderness AT tires
on Ford Motor Company products. --
o Most Wilderness AT tires are found on the following Ford vehicles:
Explorer, Expedition, Ranger and some F-150 pick up trucks. More than
80% of the tires in question are on Explorer.
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o Tires can be obtained from the more than 3,500 authorized Ford and
Lincoln Mercury dealers that carry tires or from other authorized tire
retailers.
o Tires will be replaced at Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers free of
charge to customers. Ford will reimburse customers who purchase tires
from other authorized retailers, with proof of purchase, up to a
maximum amount. The maximum amount for 15- and 16-inch tires is $110
per tire; for 17-inch tires, $130 per tire.
o A list of recommended replacement tires will be available at authorized
dealers and will be posted on Ford's website, www.ford.com under the
Breaking News header. Firestone tires will not be used as replacements
in this program.
o Because real world tire performance data, information from NHTSA and
technical analysis shows that newer tires, those under three years old,
have much lower failure rates, Ford will be prioritizing replacement of
tires based on the age of the tire. Ford will replace all tires, but
will be working with its customers to prioritize the replacement of
older tires.
o Ford will contact customers by mail shortly regarding the replacement
process. Customers can contact Ford at any time for information through
the company's toll free customer service center at 866-300-1226, or by
email at tireinquiry@ford.com.
o Other Firestone tires on Ford Motor Company vehicles are not part of
this program.
Ford's Actions to Speed Replacement of Tires
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Ford also announced that it was suspending production of certain vehicle lines
in order to make more tires available for the Wilderness AT replacement project.
Specifically, Ford will take two down weeks at the Twin Cities, MN and Edison,
NJ Ranger assembly plants. The company will also take one down week of Explorer
Sport, Explorer Sport Trac and 2002 Explorer production at the Louisville, KY
assembly plant.
Ford Tire Safety Initiatives
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Ford previously has announced several initiatives to safeguard its customers and
to work closely with the tire industry and government safety authorities to
ensure tire safety. These initiatives include extending the warranty on Ford
vehicles to include tires and offering built-in tire pressure monitoring systems
on some Ford vehicles. Ford also has worked with the tire industry to develop
and implement an "early warning system" to detect the first signs of tire
defects on vehicles already on the road.
Data Demonstrates Explorer Safety, Tire Role in Tread Separation
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U.S. Department of Transportation data demonstrates that for more than ten
years, Explorer consistently has ranked at or near the top in safety among the
SUVs in its class. In addition, 2.9
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million Goodyear tires on Explorers have performed with industry leading safety
for more than 500,000 customers and their families, traveling an estimated 25
billion miles.
Financial Impact
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Ford Motor Company will take a charge of $2.1 billion (equivalent to $1.10 per
share) in the second quarter to cover the costs of replacing the tires.
Effective immediately, the company's share re-purchase program will be
suspended. This will further reduce full year earnings by about $0.10 per share.
For the second quarter, we now expect a loss of about $0.35 per share. For the
full year, earnings per share is estimated at $1.25 - $1.35 per share.
About Ford Motor Company
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Ford Motor Co. is the world's largest producer of trucks and the second-largest
producer of cars and trucks combined, marketing and selling approximately seven
million vehicles globally through its seven brands last year. Ford Motor Co.
employs approximately 345,000 people in plants, offices and laboratories to
serve consumers in more than 200 countries and territories. Ford Motor Co. is
also one of the largest providers of financial services worldwide through Ford
Credit and related businesses. Ford Motor Co. provides consumers and commercial
financial services through 2,400 branches in 33 countries.
# # #
Statements included herein may constitute "forward looking statements" within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated, including,
without limitation: greater price competition in the U.S. and Europe resulting
from currency fluctuations, industry overcapacity or other factors; a
significant decline in industry sales, particularly in the U.S. or Europe,
resulting from slowing economic growth; currency or commodity price
fluctuations; economic difficulties in South America or Asia; higher fuel
prices; a market shift from truck sales in the U.S.; lower-than-anticipated
residual values for leased vehicles; labor or other constraints on our ability
to restructure our business; increased safety or emissions regulation resulting
in higher costs and/or sales restrictions; work stoppages at key Ford or
supplier facilities; and the discovery of defects in vehicles resulting in
recall campaigns, increased warranty costs or litigation.