The Firestone Tire Controversy

EXHIBIT VIII
THE TRIAL

Source: Joel Rodriguez pushes his wife Marisa, the plaintiff in a lawsuit against Firestone

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:

1. Discuss the role played by Firestone in the entire controversy. Do you think Firestone's response to the crisis was appropriate?

2. The Firestone controversy seemed to be a repetition of the controversy faced by Ford in the 1970s, when it faced several lawsuits due to the faulty design of the fuel tank in its small compact car-Pinto. In light of this, discuss Ford's response to the Firestone controversy.

3. Discuss the role played by NHTSA in the Firestone Tire-Ford controversy.

ADDITIONAL READINGS & REFERENCES:

1. Hull Bryson C, Deliberations on Firestone recall issue begins, The Economic Times, August 23, 2001.
2. Bisbee Julie, Bridgestone ups ante against Ford, The Economic Times, August 16, 2001.
3. Hauck Daniel, Bridgestone fails to brake a skidding performance, The Economic Times, August 18, 2001.
4. Pierre St. Nicole, Commentary, Business Week, June 7, 2001.
5. The Firestone Fiasco: Was NHTSA "Asleep at the Wheel"? Business Week, September 8, 2000.
6. How Bridgestone Just Doesn't Have a Clue How to Handle This, Business Week, September 18, 2000.
7. Ford: A Crisis of Confidence, Business Week, September 18, 2000.
8. Alex Taylor III, Crunch Time for Jac, Fortune, June 25, 2001.
9. Alex Taylor III, Why Ford's Chairman Has Kept Mostly Mum, Fortune, October 2, 2000.
10. David Grainger, Who Can Save 'Dead Brand Driving'? Fortune, January 22, 2001.
11. Zesiger Sue, Nasser Speaks Out, Fortune September 18, 2000.