Okay, here is my two cents about this. I despise Ford. Always have. My dad did a good job of teaching me that after having to deal with a shitty regional representative for Ford back in the 1970s.
Ford used Firestone as the scapegoat. I've had Firestone Wilderness A/Ts (the same EXACT tire as the one of the Explorers, just in a larger size) come OEM for my '99 Silverado Z71 that I had. I took that truck off-road constantly, got it out on the highway for cross-country drives, and it held up fine for 45,000 miles. Note that I always monitored my tire pressure, as improper pressure can kill a tire.
Ford deliberately stated that the factory spec tire pressure for their Explorer tires be too low for highway driving. OEM setting was supposed to be 26 PSI. 26 PSI in a 235/75/R16 tire supporting a heavy SUV IS TOO LITTLE. Even 26 PSI in a standard Honda Civic EX tire is pushing it. Ford set the tire pressure low DELIBERATELY so that the vehicle could barely pass safety standards.
In Summary: Low OEM tire pressure specs is what caused the tire failure, not the tire itself.
As for the bankruptcy thing: Ford will get a buyout from the Government. Ford is an icon to the automobile itself. The U.S. Government will not let Ford take a hike. It will do to Ford what it did to Chrysler, and then Ford will make one vehicle that literally takes off like crazy (like Chrysler did with making the Dodge Caravan which started the whole Minivan segment).
Originally Posted by BluestedSRT
didn't read the whole thread, but the same was said about Apple Computer in the early 90's. Everyone said they were a sinking ship, and they would be out of business in 4-5 yrs. Well it didn't happen, now they have more cash on hand than FED/EX and UPS combined.
The Ipod and ITunes saved Apple. That company was seriously going belly-up, but the IPod and ITunes came just in the nick of time. The IPod and ITunes pretty much is the only thing that keeps the lights on over at Apple. Maybe their new Intel-Powered computers will assist with paying the bills also.
Originally Posted by TheGoaT
ask Dr. Z what he thinks about that
International Politics are different with Germany and the US then between Japan and the US. Ever since we kicked the Nazis out of Germany, we have HEAVILY tied to that country. That is why DaimlerChrysler was allowed to happen. I think it is the best move that company could have made. I love their lineup of vehicles, and I think the "Dr. Z" marketing tactic is brilliant.
If Japan moved in, we wouldn't allow it. It would revive the anti-Japan sentiment that was somewhat prevalent in the mid-90s with everyone getting scared that Japan would either force all the US companies it runs with into bankruptcy thru fierce competition (read: Dumping), or they would buy up the US Companies. This Anti-Japan sentiment is a big reason why a lot of Japanese vehicles are really made in the US now. The fact that the Tundra and Titan (as well as other trucks and SUVs in their lineup) are made in the US is the only reason the vehicles are selling as well as they are.