WASHINGTON, Aug. 21, 2000 -- Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) has written the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA0, suggesting that its investigation of Firestone tires should be widened beyond the ATX, ATX II and Wilderness models that have been recalled.
Dingell made the suggestion to Susan Bailey, who recently took control of NHTSA, which enforces federal auto safety regulations.
Meanwhile, Honda is fretting about Firestone's problems.
The President of Honda R&D America, Hirohide Ikeno, says he is "extremely worried" and is monitoring the situation closely to decide whether it will keep Firestone as a supplier of tires for its new vehicles.
Ikeno said Honda is particularly concerned about the consumer reaction to the massive recall of Firestone tires. While eliminating a tire manufacturer is troublesome and potentially disruptive and expensive, Ikeno said it could be done if necessary.
