BRIAN NELSON, CNN ANCHOR: Tire maker Bridgestone/Firestone says it is making progress in its efforts to recall 6.5 million ATX, ATX II and Wilderness AT tires. The company says it will have replaced a million tires by the end of this weekend. CNN's Wade Medlock has the latest on Firestone's woes.</s>WADE MEDLOCK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Despite some calls from consumer groups for a wider Firestone tire recall, U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater now says Washington is not pushing to pull more Firestone tires from the market than the three models now being replaced. Slater had earlier implied the federal government was quietly pushing for a larger recall, but he now says he was just referring to the three recalled tire models. The 15-inch ATX, ATX II and Wilderness AT tires, most of which are standard equipment on Ford's popular Explorer, are now being pulled after reports about peeling treads, blown tires and dozens of highway deaths. Firestone hit the air this weekend with a new ad campaign aimed at shoring up its image. (</s>BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, FIRESTONE COMMERCIAL) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At Firestone, your safety is our highest priority. We initiated a voluntary safety recall of all P-235-75-R- 15-ATX (ph) and ATX II tires and the same-sized Wilderness AT tire produced in Decatur. These are the only tires involved in the recall. We are maximizing production, airlifting tires from Japan and working with other tire makers to increase total production. Let me ensure you that we are committed to your safety and to resolving this issue.</s>MEDLOCK: Firestone's ad followed one from Ford's brass nearly a week ago. The parent company of Firestone, Bridgestone, based in Japan, says it will suffer a nearly 50 percent cut in net earnings partly because of the tire recall. Meanwhile, consumers wait for sufficient supplies of replacement tires to be shipped to be put on their vehicles. Bridgestone estimates replacing 6 1/2 million tires will cost $350 million. Wade Medlock, CNN.
Firestone Trying to Salvage Image in Wake of Tire Recall