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CNN Today

Bridgestone/Firestone to Reimburse Customers Who Replace Recalled Tires With Other Brands

Aired August 18, 2000 - 2:12 p.m. ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

NATALIE ALLEN, CNN ANCHOR: Firestone says it will repay customers who replace recalled tires at stores other than Firestone or Ford. More than 6 million tires are recalled because of possible links to dozens of highway deaths. In each accident, tread separated from the body of the tire caused a blowout. Critics say the company needs to expand the recall.

We get details from CNN's John Zarrella.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN MIAMI BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): Firestone officials say all consumers have to do to get reimbursed is return the recalled tires back to a Firestone retailer where they'll get a refund form to submit. Firestone says it will give customers up to $100 per tire. Firestone's executive vice president, in an interview conducted over the phone and taped by Firestone, say the move means all 6 1/2 million recalled tires could be replaced within a few months.

JOHN LAMPE, EXEC. VICE PRES., BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE: We feel now -- we're very confident that we can get this thing completed during this year.

ZARRELLA: When the recall was announced just last week, Firestone said it would be next summer before tires were replaced in the southern states alone. Firestone officials say the expanded reimbursement program means a class-action suit now before a judge in Miami is a moot point. The suit demands Firestone provide vouchers so customers can get tires immediately.

ALAN KLUGER, PLAINTIFFS' ATTORNEY: This lawsuit that we have isn't seeking damage. It's not seeking punitive damages. It's seeking relief for the buying public today.

ZARRELLA: But even with the new plan, attorney's for the plaintiffs say many people can't afford to shell out $500 for tires and then wait for Firestone's reimbursement check. And Firestone officials can't say how long it will take to get those checks out.

While the company keeps trying new damage-control tactics, it still doesn't know what's caused the tire failures. But Firestone officials say published reports that they knew of the problem three years ago are wrong. According to "USA Today," State Farm Insurance warned Firestone in 1997 about potential problems with the tires.

LAMPE: I've spoken to many of my associates and none of us -- and none of them have any knowledge of any red flag that State Farm might have talked about.

ZARRELLA: With new allegations surfacing nearly every day, some members of Congress say hearings may be necessary.

John Zarrella, CNN, Miami.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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