FIRESTONE Tire and Rubber Co., the company that built all
sorts of rubber and pneumatic tires from wagons to modern automobiles and
motorbikes, has been around since 1900, named after its founder, Harvey Firestone.
Firestone started the company in Akron, Ohio, which, incidentally was also home
to its major competitor, Goodyear.
As he was a good friend of automobile maker, Henry Ford,
he began supplying the Ford Motor Co. with his rubber and tire products. It
found a ready market all over the world, including in the Philippines. A
subsidiary, FIRESTONE Tire and Rubber Co. P.I. was put up in post-war
Philippines to meet the growing needs of the driving public.
Then, as now, motorbikes were a cheaper transportation
alternative, and many Filipinos rode them to commute on our national roads.
Accidents were bound to happen even then—as our few roads, streets and avenues
were beginning to be crowded and clogged with traffic.
Sixty five years ago, FIRESTONE had this corporate ad published in
leading magazines and newspapers, that not only welcomed the New Year but also served as a public service announcement
to the riding public.
“Let’s be extra careful this New Year, folks!” the
headline proclaimed, this, ironically, coming from a boy in boots, astride a motorbike outfitted with FIRESTONE tires---too
young even to secure a driving license!
In 1988, the company was sold to the Japanese Bridgestone
Corporation. The company in the Philippines was re-organized nearly 20 years
later, returning as Philippine Allied Enterprises Corporation (PAEC), has which
now distributes Bridgestone tire products.
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