11.   The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Firestone on Thursday had rebuffed a request from regulators to broaden its current tire recall.

12.   The stocks of both Ford and Bridgestone have slumped since the tire recall was announced.

13.   The two companies and American auto regulators are expected to face intensive questioning next week when congressional hearings begin over the tire recall.

14.   The tire recall appears to have had fairly little effect on sales of sport utility vehicles.

15.   The two companies and American regulators are expected to face intensive questioning next week when congressional hearings begin over the tire recall.

16.   Various dealers in Fort Worth-Dallas, apparently confused by information from Ford, are handling the tire recalls differently, they said.

17.   A bill aimed at strengthening auto safety in the aftermath of the Firestone tire recall was passed Wednesday night by the Senate and sent to President Clinton.

18.   Analyst Healy said the decline in Explorer sales was not related to questions over its safety or the tire recall.

19.   As with the tire recall, Ford says its own data showed no need for further action on its part.

20.   Determined to fix credibility shattered by a massive tire recall, the president of Japanese tiremaker Bridgestone Corp. on Thursday promised greater openness.