The following statement in response to Bridgestone/Firestone's announcement of a recall of Firestone P235-75R15 ATX, ATX II and certain Wilderness AT tires is attributed to Helen Petrauskas, Ford vice president, Environmental and Safety Engineering.

Ford Motor Company has worked closely with Firestone to thoroughly investigate tire tread separation concerns. As we have repeatedly stated, we are absolutely committed to doing the right thing to protect our customers and to maintain their trust.

An analysis of field data by both companies and reviewed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that tires being recalled today account for the overwhelming majority of tread separation failures reported on Firestone tires.

After extensive review of the data, we are satisfied that Firestone has isolated the affected population of tires that should be recalled. We believe that the Wilderness AT produced since 1996 at Firestone's Aiken, S.C.; Joliette, Que.; Oklahoma City, O.K.; and Wilson, N.C. plants have an outstanding safety record. We have confidence in Wilderness AT tires produced at these plants.

NHTSA has not closed its investigation. But in the interest of customer safety, Firestone is not waiting to act and should be commended for its comprehensive and decisive action. We have been working with Firestone and NHTSA, and we strongly support Firestone in its voluntary recall and customer satisfaction actions. Firestone has long been, and continues to be, a valued supplier to Ford.