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Friday, May 25, 2001



KEN IGE / STAR-BULLETIN FILE
This Firestone Wilderness AT tire was taken off a truck
at Lex Brodie's last year as part of the first tire recall.



Tire sellers
brace for isle
replacement blitz

The program is expected
to cost Ford $2.1 billion

By Lyn Danninger
Star-Bulletin

The phones at local Ford auto dealers and independent tire sellers began ringing before Ford Motor Co. was even done announcing its decision to replace 13 million Firestone Wilderness Tires.

"I had two calls before 6:30 (Wednesday) morning," said Bobby Evans, service manager for Mike McKenna's Windward Ford.

For Fred Valmoja, service manager for Honolulu Ford, the calls began even before the satellite broadcast announcing Ford's decision was finished.

"As soon as I got out of the satellite broadcast I had a couple of calls already," he said.

Officially Ford is calling its decision to replace the tires an "owner notification program" rather than a recall, said Valmoja. Ford will notify owners of the affected vehicles starting with older ones first, he said.

It will cost the company $2.1 billion to pay for what Ford President and Chief Executive Officer Jacques Nasser describes as a "precautionary and preventive" action.

By far, most of the tires in question are likely to be found on Ford's Explorer model, he said.

On the Big Island, there are about 3,000 Ford Explorers on the road, said Walsh Hanley, who owns the two Orchid Isle Ford dealerships there. Hanley said he received about eight calls after the Ford announcement.

During last year's Bridgestone/Firestone recall Hanley said he replaced about 600 tires. After that experience, he's prepared for the latest recall.

"We hired a guy just to handle the recall last year and he's still working for us," Hanley said.

Hanley said he is impressed with how much information he has already received from Ford.

"I've already received about 18 e-mails from Ford regarding how to handle the recall and what substitute tires are acceptable," he said.

Hanley is expecting a list of customers who purchased vehicles from Ford.

"When they do that we'll contact customers if they haven't already contacted us," he said.

At Maui's Valley Isle Motors, General Sales Manager Paul Kaiser said he is not sure how many vehicles will be affected by the recall yet. But like Hanley he has already received customer calls and will be compiling a contact list.

All the Ford dealers said it is difficult to know when they are likely to have replacement tires in stock.

"That's up to Goodyear and Michelin and the others," Valmoja said. "As soon as they get them to us, we'll get our customers in."

But at Lex Brodie's Tire Co. on Queen Street, preparations are already afoot to have plenty of tires on hand in case dealerships are unable to secure enough replacement tires or become overwhelmed with requests for replacements.

That's something Scott Williams, the company's service manager, is banking on.

"We ordered thousands of the tires that will be in the recall," he said.

During the Firestone/Bridgestone tire recall last year, Williams said the company averaged seven to 10 tire changes per day among its four stores.

With the recall now expanded to include all Wilderness tires rather than just one model, Williams said he expects plenty of business.


Ford's tire replacement program

>> The company is replacing all 15-, 16- and 17-inch Wilderness AT tires.

>> Most Wilderness AT tires are found on Ford's Explorer, Expedition, Ranger and some F-150 pick-up trucks. More than 80 percent of the tires are found on Explorers.

>> Tires will be replaced for free at Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers. Ford will reimburse customers who purchase tires from other authorized retailers with proof of purchase up to a maximum amount. The maximum amount for 15- and 16-inch tires is $110 per tire; for 17-inch tires, $130 per tire.

>> A list of recommended replacement tires will be available at authorized dealers and will be posted on Ford's Web site www.ford.com

>> Ford will contact customers by mail regarding the replacement process. Customers can contact Ford through the company's toll-free customer service center at (866) 300-1266, or by e-mail at tireinquiry@ford.com.

Source: Ford Motor Co.




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