A Million Goodyear Steer Tyres

Goodyear’s plant at Danville in the USA recently produced its one millionth Unisteel G395 LHS medium-truck steer tyre. Now in its third year, the G395 LHS reached this milestone four years faster than its predecessor, the G397. The G395 LHS has turned out to be Goodyear’s most successful steer tyre ever.

According to Donn Kramer, director of commercial tyre marketing, Goodyear engineers turned to new materials and technology to create the tyre. They used a unique pressure distribution groove to reduce pressure build up on the tyre shoulders, cooler running tread compounds, a barrel-shaped footprint to place more tread on the pavement, enhanced casing design for improved retread capabilities and a precision manufacturing process for better uniformity and longer tyre lifespan.

Steer tyres are difficult to make – and make well – the tyres are subject to more wear and carry heavier loads than any other tyre position. They are more prone to irregular wear, particularly in the shoulder area, Kramer said, adding that selling one million G395s was “a significant milestone”.