Goodyear Warns Against Illegal Imports

Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK Limited has announced that it is taking further steps to combat illegal importers and to protect customers; by ensuring the right tyres are fitted to vehicles in the UK and Europe.

Goodyear Dunlop has previously warned unauthorised tyre importers that they are infringing its trademark rights by selling tyres in the UK that were not authorised for sale in the EU. If tyres are purchased from suppliers other than Goodyear Dunlop UK or its authorised resellers there is a substantial risk that the tyres may infringe Goodyear Dunlop’s trademark rights. The company warns; “All infringers will be vigorously pursued.”

Tyres to be sold in the European Community must carry an E -Mark in accordance with ECE Regulation 30 and must be sold by, or with the authority of, the trademark holder for the EU.

Paul Wilde, director, consumer tyres, Goodyear Dunlop UK, stated: “Our tyres are renowned for their performance on UK roads and in the UK climate. We spend a lot of time and money designing tyres specifically tailored to different climates, road conditions and local legislation. We have warned certain companies to stop importing infringing Goodyear or Dunlop tyres into the UK but some of them have chosen to ignore that warning. As a result, tyres designed for climate and road conditions in the Middle East, the tropics or other substantially different environments are being sold in the UK to unsuspecting customers. This is bad for the customers and bad for our reputation. For example, the tyres we design for the Middle East cater for higher average temperatures and less wet weather as well being durable for different road conditions to those encountered on European roads. We therefore design and market different tyres for those conditions.

“We are now instituting proceedings to protect the UK motoring public, our brands and our loyal UK dealer customers as we cannot guarantee the suitability of these infringing tyres for the local market.”

Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK Limited, and its sister companies in the EU, are trademark holders to the Goodyear and Dunlop brand names for vehicle tyres and hold the sole right to market the Goodyear and Dunlop tyre ranges in the EU market. Therefore, as well as protecting UK motorists, Goodyear Dunlop believes this action is necessary to protect its employees, dealers and reputation in the UK.