Ford downplays Nasser´s recall comments to "USA Today"

WASHINGTON (Aug. 17)—A Ford Motor Co. spokeswoman downplayed the significance of a "USA Today" interview with Ford CEO Jacques Nasser, in which he called the current pace of the recall of Firestone ATX, ATX II and Wilderness tires on Ford Explorers "unacceptable." "There is no official change in policy," the spokeswoman said. "We are working hard to make sure that our customers are taken care of." Nasser, she added, has been "involved since day one" with the recall effort. In the exclusive "USA Today" article, Nasser suggested such alternatives as supplying rental cars to frightened motorists and diverting tires intended for Ford´s original equipment use to the recall effort as ways to alleviate the severe tire shortage occasioned by the recall.