1.   And most tires are made of sophisticated rubber compounds that can withstand heat and friction.

2.   Another problem is that SUV tires are made with a much harder compound than a highway tire.

3.   Better known for making rubber tires than social policy, this city seems an unlikely place to many to be a laboratory for experiments on race relations.

4.   But Bridgestone, which owns Firestone, the American tire company, did not need Goodyear to make tires for it in the United States.

5.   But the tires actually are made by the French company Michelin, which now owns the Goodrich brand name.

6.   During World War II, Buna made tires for the German war machine.

7.   Firestone now is the tire of choice, leading to the announcement earlier this week that Goodyear no longer will make tires for the series.

8.   For example, B.F. Goodrich Co. and Gencorp Inc. stopped making tires in favor of a wide range of aerospace and automotive components, and plastics.

9.   General Motors says that Firestone has done a commendable job making tires and that GM has not had problems with Firestone tires.

10.   Goodyear now makes the tire as an option for the Chevrolet Corvette and Plymouth Prowler.