NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 25, 2001)–Contrary to rumors, General Motors Corp. is not trying to distance itself from Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. as an original equipment supplier, GM and Bridgestone/Firestone said in a joint statement. “Bridgestone/Firestone is a valued supplier, and we are proud to offer both the Firestone and the Bridgestone brand as original equipment tires on our vehicles,” GM said.
“Bridgestone/Firestone is a valued supplier, and we are proud to offer both the Firestone and the Bridgestone brand as original equipment tires on our vehicles,” GM said.
“These tires perform, and have always performed, in a safe and outstanding manner for us and for our customers.”
A report from Reuters said that GM and Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. were dropping Firestone tires from various OE fitments in the wake of Ford Motor Co.'s unilateral recall of up to 13 million Firestone Wilderness AT tires.
Before GM and Bridgestone/Firestone issued the joint statement, a BFS spokeswoman said GM and Nissan had announced the changes in fitments in February as a routine business decision.