Bridgestone, Ford settle dispute over faulty tires on automaker’s SUVs

T I R E M A K E R TO PAY U S $ 2 4 0 M

Bridgestone Corp., the world’s second-biggest tiremaker, agreed to pay Ford Motor Co. US$240- million to end a five- year dispute over which company was responsible for tire failures in Ford sport-utility vehicles. The settlement covers costs of a 2000 voluntary tire recall by Bridgestone’s North American unit and Ford’s 2001 replacement of Firestone-brand tires made by Bridgestone, the tire maker said yesterday. The fight began after 271 people died in highway accidents involving the separation of treads on Firestone- brand tires equipped on Ford vehicles. A U.S. investigation into the highway deaths damaged the reputation of Ford’s best-selling Explorer SUV, which was predominantly involved in the accidents.