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By
© St. Petersburg Times, published May 20, 2001
Bridgestone/Firestone Inc.
HEADQUARTERS: Nashville, Tenn.
CHAIRMAN/CEO: John Lampe
EMPLOYEES: 45,000
FACTORIES: 38 in the Americas, including three that made most ATX and AT tires in Decatur, Ill., Wilson, N.C., and Joliette, Quebec.
FOUNDED: In 1990 after the merger of Bridgestone U.S.A. and Firestone Tire & Rubber Co.
OPERATIONS: The largest subsidiary of Bridgestone Corp. of Toyko, the world's leading tire and rubber company.
SALES: $7.5-billion revenues in 2000.
HEADQUARTERS: Detroit
CHAIRMAN/CEO: Jacques Nasser
EMPLOYEES: 380,000
FACTORIES: 140 worldwide, including two that make Explorers in St. Louis and Louisville, Ky.
FOUNDED: In 1903 by Henry Ford who wanted to make the automobile accessible to every American.
OPERATIONS: The world's biggest producer of trucks and the second-biggest producer of cars and trucks combined, selling more than 6.8-million vehicles worldwide in 1998.
SALES: $170-billion revenues in 2000.
Introduced in 1990
More than 445,000 sold in 2000
Best-selling SUV in the world 10 years running
2002 model shipped to dealers Feb. 22
New safety features: side airbags, rollover sensors, lower front bumpers, greater control ability, seat-weight sensors, chime seat belt reminder, airbags designed to meet passengers' characteristics
Sources: Bridgestone/Firestone, Ford Motor Co.
Hotline: 1-800-465-1904
Web site: www.firestone.com
E-mail: firestone_consumer_affairs@faneuil.com
Hotline: 1-800-660-4719
Web site: www.ford.com
E-mail: tireinquiry@ford.com
Hotline 1-888-327-4236
Web site: www.nhtsa.com