| Bridgestone is one of the biggest and most | | | | replacement. The notification also stated |
| prestigious tire manufacturing companies in | | | | that all the defective tires will be replaced |
| the world. On August 9, 2000, the officials | | | | by the new Wilderness AT tires or other tires |
| of Bridgestone ordered a recall of the tires. | | | | made by the company. If the company was |
| The recall requested for a massive return of | | | | unable to replace the tire with its own tire, |
| over 6.5 million tires. All these tires were | | | | then the company would get the tire replaced |
| of 15 inches and their make and type was as | | | | by the tire of some other company. The recall |
| following: | | | | was ordered after the company found out that |
| | | | the tire had the tendency to catch up defects |
| 1. ATX | | | | ad cracks early n its life and there were |
| | | | also cases of accidents which caused deaths |
| 2. ATX II | | | | and injuries. On finding the fault the |
| | | | company ordered the recall of all such tires. |
| 3. Wilderness AT | | | | The figure included 3.8 million tires of |
| | | | Radial ATX and ATX II tires and 2.7 million |
| The recall was voluntary and the basis of the | | | | Wilderness AT tires. This brought the total |
| recall was some sad incidents. The NHTSA had | | | | to 6.5 million tires. |
| started the inquiry and scrutiny of the tires | | | | |
| after they resulted in some vehicle accidents | | | | It was ordered by the company's Executive |
| and caused damage to life and property. The | | | | Vice president, Gary Crigger. The recall |
| number of accidents due to these tires was | | | | requested the return of all the tires |
| around 62. The recall compelled the company | | | | irrespective of the number of miles it had |
| to increase the tire production to meet the | | | | already been run for and no matter how old |
| demands for replacement. For the very | | | | the tire was. This brought immense consumer |
| purpose, the company plants in the US | | | | confidence for the company and earned the |
| increased the daily production of tires by | | | | company a good reputation. |
| 7000 tires. Moreover, thousands of tires are | | | | |
| being transported by air from the company | | | | The company carried out its own |
| plants in Japan. The company is also using | | | | investigations regarding the accidents and |
| tires of other companies to meet the | | | | for this purpose it worked closely with the |
| requirements of their clients. These tires | | | | Ford Motor Company. It was found out that the |
| were extensively used by Ford trucks and by | | | | most of the accidents resulted from the tires |
| sports model vehicles, like the Explorer. | | | | made in the Decatur, Illinois plant. Heat |
| | | | also proved to be one of the major share |
| The company says that the Bridgestone Tire | | | | holders in causing tire failure. Irrespective |
| Recall was requested because the company's | | | | of the damage done the recall was a bold and |
| prime concern is the safety of its customers | | | | extraordinary step taken by the company and |
| and the step was only taken in public | | | | it ensured that no mishap should occur |
| interest. The vehicle owners using the tires | | | | because of bad tire quality. |
| were notified by e-mail about the | | | | |