After Ford announced that it would replace 13 million Firestone tires due to safety concerns, Firestone responded by blaming Ford and one of its models, the Ford Explorer, for playing a crucial role in causing 174 deaths in numerous accidents over the past few years. Firestone’s defense, however, has not stopped a significant drop in the demand for Firestone tires. As a result of this lack of demand, Firestone officials say, the company will close one of its biggest tire factories employing 1,500 employees, most of who are union workers.
See "Bridgestone/ Firestone to Close Tire Plant at Center of Huge Recall", David Barboza, The New York Times, June 27, 2001