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Isle drivers Replacements for the recalled Bridgestone/Firestone tires are going fast on Oahu, and some local tire centers and automobile dealerships have waiting lists that are already several weeks long.
lining up for
new tires
Waiting lists are growing
Michelin sales up
as the replacement tires are
distributed as soon as they come inBy Tim Ruel
Star-BulletinIn the past two weeks, Lex Brodie's Tire Co. has sold hundreds of Michelin replacement tires to Firestone customers and has recently stocked up on more, John Mayo, the company's president, said yesterday.
The federal government has received more than 1,400 complaints about Firestone tires, including reports of 88 deaths and more than 250 injuries that reportedly were the result of blowouts, tread separation and other tire defects. Firestone tires are standard equipment on Ford Explorers and other Ford vehicles.
So far, the nationwide recall has included 6.5 million ATX, ATX II and Wilderness AT tires. But the recall could be expanded if the government finds more defects. Congress plans to hold a hearing on the matter next week.
On Oahu, Mike McKenna's Windward Ford has 20 to 40 tires shipped in daily, but still must put customers on a list because of new orders, owner Mike McKenna said earlier this week.
Cutter Ford in Aiea and Honolulu Ford on Ala Moana both said they are out of replacements and are waiting on tires.
Firestone runs 10 of its own tire and service centers on Oahu. An outlet in Kaneohe this week had a waiting list 90 customers long. A Pearl Kai center was telling callers they may have to wait two to three weeks.
Glenn Fukuda, general manager for Firestone in Hawaii, would not comment. Rachel Newman, a corporate spokeswoman on the mainland, said the firm is not commenting on details of the recall in any state because it wants to focus on getting the tires off the road. "Any interruption is just that," Newman said yesterday.
Firestone had replaced 1.5 million tires as of yesterday, she said.
"We understand that Firestone seems to be doing all that they can do," said Mayo of Lex Brodie's. "You can't just make 6.5 million tires appear."
Lex Brodie's, which has four Oahu outlets, has been advertising that owners of the recalled Firestone tires can get a $50 discount when they buy a set of Lex Brodie's tires. "I would not be surprised to see the recall expand, based on the congressional investigation," Mayo said.
Recall information
By phone:
Bridgestone/Firestone: 1-800-465-1904
On the Web:
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PARIS -- Michelin & Cie. expects higher U.S. sales in coming years as a result of rival Bridgestone Corp.'s tire recall, Chief Executive Edouard Michelin said. Michelin expects
increased salesBloomberg News
Bridgestone of Japan has recalled 6.5 million tires in North America, most of them fitted to Ford Explorer SUVs, because of defects that may have caused as many as 88 deaths. Michelin, Europe's largest tire maker, also owns BF Goodrich and Uniroyal brands. "The recent unfortunate events will remind consumers of the importance of brand and quality," Michelin said.