House Panel Sending Investigators to Ford HQ

Ford has arranged for ``committee staff to meet with relevant Ford personnel and to have access to relevant documentary materials,'' Commerce Committee Chairman Thomas Bliley said in a letter to Ford Chief Executive Officer Jacques Nasser confirming the visit. Firestone, a unit of Japan's Bridgestone Corp. (5108.T) recalled 6.5 million of the 15-inch ATX and ATX II tires plus 15-inch Wilderness tires made at its Decatur, Ill. plant after National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it was investigating dozens of deaths potentially linked to peeling of the tire treads and blown tires. NHTSA is investigating the failure of the tires, most of which have involved those on Ford Explorer sport utility vehicles. The Commerce committee will hold a hearing on the subject but no date has been set.