McCain, Dingell weigh in on Firestone recall

WASHINGTON (Aug. 15)—Two of the most powerful men in Congress have sent letters expressing deep concern over Bridgestone/Firestone Inc.´s 6.5 million tire recall involving Firestone ATX, ATX II and Wilderness radials. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain, R-Ariz., wrote Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater urging the speeding up of the phased recall and a review of federal mechanisms for collecting and reporting tire defect data. Meanwhile, Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., ranking Democrat on the House Commerce Committee, wrote Bridgestone/Firestone Chairman Masatoshi Ono seeking his assurances that the company will reimburse ATX and Wilderness owners who buy or have already bought new tires. In a conference call/press briefing, a Bridgestone/Firestone spokeswoman said the company is working out reimbursement procedures for ATX and Wilderness owners who paid for pro-rated replacement of the tires.