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Tuesday, October 17, 2000

Ford sent inappropriate tires to Arabia

Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Ford Motor Co. sent thousands of vehicles to the Arabian Peninsula with Firestone tires not designed for the region's hot climate, speedy drivers and off-road use - and did so without approval from the tire maker, according to internal Ford documents.
   At least seven people in the region have died in rollovers involving Explorers and Mountaineers with 16-inch Wilderness AT tires made for use on North American roads. Ford began replacing the Firestones last year with Goodyear tires.
   Ford spokesman Mike Vaughn said the tire was believed to be appropriate when it was first shipped to the region.
   "We monitored the performance of the vehicles in the market," he said Monday. "When we saw an issue, we took action."
   Officials with Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. declined to comment.
   The tires on the SUVs were not among the 6.5 million 15-inch Firestone tires recalled in August in the United States.
   Firestones are under investigation in at least 147 deaths in Venezuela and the United States, and have been blamed for accidents in several other countries with warm climates.
  

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