Ford’s Action is Precautionary Measure Based On Lack of Confidence in Future Durability of Wilderness AT Tires
行动是基于现场数据一致,备用ion from NHTSA and Lab and Vehicle Testing
福特汽车公司表示，它将在车辆上的轮胎上取代所有1300万个凡士通荒野。Ford’s action, which the company described as precautionary, is based on analysis of data on the actual road performance of these tires, comparisons with the performance of comparable tires by other tire makers, a review of information developed by and received from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and extensive laboratory and vehicle testing.
该公司表示，今天在旅途中，许多未重新录制的荒野似乎比去年轮胎回忆起的表现要好得多。但是，对现实世界绩效数据，NHTSA和实验室和车辆测试的信息的分析表明，轮胎的一些未重新染色的荒野可能会在将来的某个时候升高失败率。
Specifically, the company’s decision to replace all Wilderness AT tires on its vehicles is based on several factors, including:
*现实世界中轮胎性能数据的现场数据最近从凡世通收到，表明某些轮胎荒野的故障率有所增加。预测表明，与去年召回的轮胎相比，失败率仍然相对较低，但未来可能会达到异常高的水平。
* NHTSA共享的信息表明，许多未重新染色的荒野在实际道路性能中的故障率比其他制造商的可比轮胎要糟糕。
* Laboratory and vehicle testing by Ford shows that tire design and variations in physical characteristics of the non-recalled Wilderness AT tires make them less durable than comparable tires from other manufacturers. The comparable tires include Goodyear tires on more than 500,000 Explorers. These test results are consistent with the NHTSA information and the real world data described above.
Given the consistency among results from Firestone, NHTSA and Ford’s own data, the company concluded that it does not have sufficient confidence in the future performance of some of the Wilderness AT tires and that it will take the precautionary measure of replacing all Wilderness AT tires on its customers’ vehicles.
William Clay Ford, Jr., chairman of Ford Motor Company, said, “Today’s announcement to replace Wilderness AT tires reflects our deep-seated conviction that customer safety always comes first. The actions of Ford’s people and its partners, including our dealers, employees, tire suppliers and independent tire retailers, are true to what’s at the core of our value system at Ford Motor Company — nothing is more important than the safety of our customers. The decisions announced today have my full support and that of the entire Board.”
Jacques Nasser, president and chief executive officer of Ford Motor Company, said, “Our unequivocal commitment to our customers is the core value of Ford Motor Company. Since last year, we have closely monitored field data from Firestone, worked closely with NHTSA, and conducted extensive laboratory and road testing. Taken together, all the data and analysis do not give us sufficient confidence in the future durability and performance of the non-recalled Wilderness AT tires on our vehicles. While some of the tires we are replacing do not have a substantial failure risk, we are offering to replace all Wilderness AT tires to avoid any confusion among our customers and eliminate any doubt about the quality of their tires. There are early warning signs about these tires, and we will not ignore them.”
Tire Replacement Program
福特将替换去年的两倍，该公司正在与其他主要轮胎制造商合作，以尽快扩大替换轮胎的供应。
Initial details of the program:
* The company is replacing all 15, 16, and 17 inch Wilderness AT tires on Ford Motor Company products.
*在以下福特车辆上发现了轮胎的大多数荒野：探险家，探险，游侠和一些F-150拾起卡车。超过80％的轮胎在探险家上。
*轮胎可以从携带轮胎或其他授权轮胎零售商的3500多个授权福特和林肯汞经销商处获得。
* Tires will be replaced at Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers free of charge to customers. Ford will reimburse customers who purchase tires from other authorized retailers, with proof of purchase, up to a maximum amount. The maximum amount for 15- and 16-inch tires is $110 per tire; for 17-inch tires, $130 per tire.
* A list of recommended replacement tires will be available at authorized dealers and will be posted on Ford’s website, www.ford.com under the Breaking News header. Firestone tires will not be used as replacements in this program.
*因为现实世界轮胎性能数据,通知ation from NHTSA and technical analysis shows that newer tires, those under three years old, have much lower failure rates, Ford will be prioritizing replacement of tires based on the age of the tire. Ford will replace all tires, but will be working with its customers to prioritize the replacement of older tires.
* Ford will contact customers by mail shortly regarding the replacement process. Customers can contact Ford at any time for information through the company’s toll free customer service center at 866-300-1226, or by email at tireinquiry@ford.com
* Other Firestone tires on Ford Motor Company vehicles are not part of this program.
Ford’s Actions to Speed Replacement of Tires
福特还宣布，它正在暂停某些车辆线的生产，以便为替换项目的荒野提供更多的轮胎。具体而言，福特将在新泽西州游侠装配厂的MN和Edison的双子城和爱迪生植物上花费两周的时间。该公司还将在肯塔基州路易斯维尔厂的探险家运动，Explorer Sport Trac和2002 Explorer Production进行一周的降落。
福特轮胎安全计划
福特此前宣布了几项计划，以保护其客户，并与轮胎行业和政府安全部门紧密合作，以确保轮胎安全。这些举措包括扩展福特车辆的保修，包括轮胎，并在某些福特车辆上提供内置的轮胎压力监测系统。福特还与轮胎行业合作开发和实施“预警系统”，以检测已经在旅途中已经有车辆缺陷的第一迹象。
数据证明了Explorer安全性，轮胎在胎面分离中的作用
U.S. Department of Transportation data demonstrates that for more than ten years, Explorer consistently has ranked at or near the top in safety among the SUVs in its class. In addition, 2.9 million Goodyear tires on Explorers have performed with industry leading safety for more than 500,000 customers and their families, traveling an estimated 25 billion miles.
Financial Impact
Ford Motor Company will take a charge of $2.1 billion (equivalent to $1.10 per share) in the second quarter to cover the costs of replacing the tires. Effective immediately, the company’s share re-purchase program will be suspended. This will further reduce full year earnings by about $0.10 per share.
在第二季度，我们现在预计每股损失约为0.35美元。全年，每股收益估计为每股1.25美元至1.35美元。
