Ford, Firestone face Texas trials

National Briefs By Detroit News staff, wire and Bloomberg News reports Automotive

DALLAS -- The Texas Supreme Court denied a request by Ford Motor Co. and Bridgestone Corp.'s Firestone unit to block trials involving 30 deadly accidents in Venezuela and Mexico involving Explorer sport utility vehicles with Firestone tires. Ford and Firestone sought to dismiss the Texas state court suits because the accidents happened abroad. Plaintiffs' lawyers said the lawsuits should be tried in Texas because Ford tested the Explorer in the state. Ford called the Texas court decision unfair, while Firestone was "disappointed" with the decision. Ford and Firestone have been named in hundreds of lawsuits involving deaths and injuries blamed on tire failures and vehicle rollovers.