BEAUMONT, Texas (July 25, 2003) — Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire L.L.C. will spend $15,450,000 on a three-year consumer education campaign as part of a settlement agreement in a nationwide class-action lawsuit involving the company's recalled Firestone ATX, ATX II and Wilderness AT tires.
The education program will concentrate on tire inflation, tire use, tire maintenance, driving safety and automobile maintenance, BFS said in a press release. Also, for the next seven years “certain tires will be manufactured with cap strips, nylon strips or comparable technology that provides the same or better high-speed capability.”
The list of tire models to receive the nylon strips wasn't immediately available. A company spokesman said the plaintiffs' attorneys in the case would receive up to $19 million in compensation, while 45 named plaintiffs would receive $2,500 each.
The settlement package is subject to the approval of Judge Donald Floyd of the 172nd District Court in Beaumont.