Lisoni files for Steeltex class action certification; BFS files for dismissal

INDIO, Calif. (June 4)—Plaintiffs´ attorney Joseph L. Lisoni has officially filed with the California Superior Court of Riverside County for certification of a nationwide class action suit to force Bridgestone/Firestone to recall about 30 million Steeltex R4S, R4SII and A/T tires for alleged tread separation defects. BFS petitioned the court shortly before to have the complaint dismissed, claiming the class action has no standing under any relevant legal doctrine. "Steeltex tires are safe, and the data on them are very good in the field," a BFS spokesman said. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has yet to rule on Lisoni´s petition to reopen the defect investigation of Steeltex tires closed in April 2002, though both Lisoni and BFS expect the ruling at any time.