Founded in 1898 by Frank Seiberling, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is an American multinational tyre manufacturing company based in Akron, Ohio. It is one of the oldest, biggest and best-known tyremakers in the world. Goodyear makes tyres for automobiles, commercial trucks, light trucks, motorcycles, SUVs, racing cars, aeroplanes, farm equipment and heavy earth-mover machinery. Find all the news and analysis you need relating to Goodyear here.
ADAC, the German automotive association, has published its new winter tyre test results. Engineers tested tyres in sizes 175/65 R14T and 195/65 R15T – and Goodyear’s Ultra Grip 7 was declared the winner in both categories.
In the smaller size Bridgestone’s Blizzak LM 20 and Pirelli’s Snowcontrol followed Goodyear, as did Semperit’s Wintergrip. Bringing up the rear was Matador.
Calling it the “next generation of SUV tyre technology,” Goodyear is introducing the new 4×4 Fortera(R) tyre, featuring TripleTred Technology. The tyre seeks to “respond to SUV drivers’ demands for confidence and security while driving on rain-soaked, snowy or dry roads,” according to Todd Hershberger, Goodyear’s marketing manager, light-truck tyres.
Goodyear Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Robert J. Keegan announced the appointment of Arthur de Bok (43) as president of the company’s European Union business. Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, the business is Goodyear’s largest outside of North America with 2004 sales revenues of $4.5 billion.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has named Marc O Voorhees as vice president of finance for North America. Voorhees comes to Goodyear from Eastman Kodak Company, where he was most recently operations manager, Digital & Film Imaging Systems European Region based in Geneva, Switzerland.
TRW Automotive Goodyear Tire & Rubber have jointly developed a new system that is designed to automatically adjust the performance parameters of a vehicle’s electronic stability control (ESC) system based on the dimensions and other characteristics of the vehicle’s tyres.
Goodyear is to use its fleet of airships to encourage donations in support of the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. The only airships with electronic day and night signs, the blimps will use their signs to promote fund-raising efforts from the American public.
Chuck Sinclair, senior vice president of global communications for Goodyear commented: “We talked about the possibility of flying signs over the affected areas, however it was agreed that the best way to offer immediate support is through an awareness campaign to alert the public where donations can be made. We recognise the relief efforts will go on for months, and we pledge our resources in support of these efforts as a way to keep the American public focused on the needs.”
Dick Johnson, chief executive of Goodyear Dunlop, has been confirmed as the guest speaker at the NTDA’s Tyre Wholesalers annual lunch in November.
The annual meeting will again be held at the Raven Hotel in Droitwich on 23rd November. It will be attended by over 100 members of the Wholesalers Group, tyre manufacturers, retail chain management and the officers of the NTDA.
Goodyear Europe’s CEO Mike Roney is to become the new chief executive of distribution and outsourcing group Bunzl PLC.
Currently a non-executive director of the company Roney will take over from Anthony Habgood as of 1 November. Company chairman, Habgood, took on the executive role after the unexpected withdrawal of CEO-designate Christoph Sander in June.
(Akron/Tire Review) For the second time in as many months, Titan International has extended the deadline for completion of its purchase of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. agricultural tire business. It is believed that the second extension – until 1 October – is due to slow moving negotiations between Titan and the United Steelworkers (USW).
Under terms of the contract it signed with Goodyear in 2003, any company purchasing a USW-represented Goodyear plant must negotiate a new deal with the union before the sale can be consummated.
The purchase, announced last February, includes Goodyea’rs agricultural tyre plant in Freeport, Illinois.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co has completed the sale of its Wingtack adhesives resins business to Sartomer Company Inc., a unit of the French energy firm Total SA.
(Akron/Tire Review) Reuters reported last week that a ship carrying some 1,500 tonnes of natural rubber for delivery to tyre companies ran aground off the coast of Sumatra near Indonesia. Most of the rubber was reportedly intended for Bridgestone Corp and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co facilities in the US.
(Akron/Tire Review) According to CBS MarketWatch, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company late Monday filed to raise $350 million in a convertible bond offering. The offer consists of 4 per cent convertible senior notes due in 2034 and shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of senior notes. Goodyear said proceeds of the deal will go to selling stockholders including the Calamos Growth & Income Fund, Citigroup and Aristeia International Limited.
A sense of adventure, a crash helmet, and a certain level of balancing skills are ‘must-haves’ when taking a quad bike off-road. But with Goodyear run-on-flat ATV tyres fitted to your Kawasaki KLF400 you can leave the latter requirement behind, as amongst other characteristics, stability is one of their key features, even in extreme terrain. The tyres also afford freedom from worry and they put an end to solving stupefying situations such as how to recover an ATV vehicle with flat tyres that’s stranded in the middle of a muddy quagmire.
Despite its tyres’ advantages Goodyear is rarely talked about when it comes to ATV tyres; a market dominated by imported brands. Hence the manufacturer is keen to get a firm hold on the serious side of the ATV scene through the industry’s first run-flat ATV tyre. So serious in fact, that it invited Tyres & Accessories to compare, contrast and talk new tyre technology, during a day of quad biking.
Goodyear has been progressing the concept of an ATV run-flat since the 90s, a time when both ATV tyre sales and run-flat technology were increasing in importance. Its aim has always been to develop tyres for use on serious farm machinery, explained Goodyear Dunlop farm tyre specialist Mark Turner, and the run-flat version of the ATV tyre is a further extension of that aim.
There are two run-on-flat tyres available from the US manufacturer, the Tracker EMT, available for OE and replacement fitment and the Mud Runner EMT, designed exclusively for the replacement market. The Tracker EMT is available in 14 sizes, whilst the Mud Runner EMT is available in 10 sizes in 25-27 inches.
Like the more familiar passenger car run-flat, the ATV-EMT has a 50 mile run-on-flat capability, but only at speeds of 25mph. The sidewall reinforced tyre also mounts on standard ATV OE wheels which is key for the replacement market. In addition it offers the accustomed run-flat features such as reduction in damage to wheel and brakes as well as improved vehicle stability and manoeuvrability. With the low speeds that utility ATVs operate at there is no safety requirement for an accompanying TPMS as in the case of the car. Instead the insert contour of the tyre is designed so that the rider can feel the flat tyre whilst still benefiting from the run-flat performance.
As far as the ATV-EMT concept is concerned it appears to be a logical next step from passenger car run-flat developments. “Awareness of run-flat technology in general is increasing, they’re OE fitments are increasing on cars, and that helps sell the idea on an ATV, it’s simply a natural extension of passenger car tyre technology,” comments Mark Turner. The technology can prevent a disabling flat tyre, downtime due to repair and the need to carry repair kits. The ATV-EMT uses run-flat technology developed for the Goodyear high performance passenger car EMT tyre. It has a wide, flat bead for improved tyre/wheel retention with apex used to stiffen the sidewall and insure the correct bead shape.
The tyre was first shown at last year’s Cereals show where Goodyear provided a practical demonstration for visitors. However it has been available in the US since 1998, and was picked up by the ATV press in 2002 when a series of tests conducted by ATV Magazine declared the Mud Runner EMT as the “smoothest ride.”
Thanks to the higher margins the run-on-flats present a lucrative opportunity for dealers. Goodyear distributes its ATV tyres through national wholesalers and 10 dealers from its Farm Tyre Specialist Network. The British Rubber Company is the leading independent farm tyre specialist belonging to that network and according to Jason Reynolds the business is very successful with Goodyear ATV tyre sales. Mr Reynolds has in fact got Goodyear ATV run-on-flats fitted to his own quad bike and describes them as “marvellous” claiming that they have “transformed” the handling of his bike. “Because of the sidewall strength the tyres are a lot more rigid and stability is improved. You also have the added security that they will get you home if you get a puncture, I’ve had three punctures and each time the tyres have got me safely home,” commented Mr Reynolds.
The tyres seem to have the endorsement of the dealer but at a 20-25 per cent price mark up, is there a market out there amongst strapped-for-cash UK farmers? Jason Reynolds believes so: “Once somebody has tried the tyres and seen the difference in performance the cost isn’t really an issue. There is a market out there for them, especially with hill farmers who work 10-15 miles away from the farm, and use their ATV as a second tractor. I recently spoke to one of my customers about the tyres and they said that they’d never known a tyre last as well.”
Mark Turner also claims that the tyres are starting to sell well in the UK market, even though the manufacturer has yet to start its marketing campaign. Goodyear explains that it is now in a position where it has the stock available and can begin to push sales; needless to say ATV run-on-flats will soon be brought to the consumers attention. Goodyear’s farm tyre specialist is positive that the run-on-flats will share a similar success in the UK as they have in the US, adding that both ATV tyre and vehicle sales are growing in farming as well as in the recreational sector of the market. Goodyear’s current ATV line up may suit its farm business, but with all its tyres marked NHS (Not for Highway Service) it will not catch a glimpse of the increasing on-road sector in the near future, perhaps that will be its next move.
(Akron/Tire Review) Goodyear is now taking nominations for its annual Goodyear North America Highway Hero honour. Nominations opened during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, 21 – 27 August.“What better way to celebrate America’s truck drivers than to nominate one for the trucking industry’s most prestigious award for heroism?” said Steve McClellan, Goodyear vice president for commercial tyre systems. “There are many who deserve to be nominated as stewards of our highways.”
Last year, nominations were made for drivers who risked their lives in an automobile accident or traffic stop. One driver, McClellan said, died trying to save others. Several others were injured. “We are thankful for these courageous truck drivers who travel our highways,” he said. “In the 22 years of the Goodyear Highway Hero program, we have heard about hundreds of truck drivers who placed themselves in harm’s way to save someone else, and we believe it is important that they be recognized and celebrated publicly.”
Nomination forms and program details can be obtained by calling the Highway Hero Hotline at 330-796-8183 or online at www.goodyear.com/truck/whatsnew/heros.html
Auto Express’ decision to make its recent tyre tests their “biggest ever” goes some way towards demonstrating the increasing interest surrounding these reports. And with so many brands on the market all claiming to be the best at something, who can blame consumers for wanting a second opinion?
However, Auto Express is not alone when it comes to testing. Other well-known magazines including Which? Autocar and Evo also publish tyre test results. But in terms of coverage and frequency Auto Express’ tyre tests currently lead the way in the UK. And when you consider that that this particular publication is Britain’s biggest selling motoring weekly, it is clear that winning or being recommended by such a report can have very positive repercussions on the tyre business.
Relatively unknown brands particularly have a lot to gain. By winning or being recommended in tests, these companies stand to gain a leg up in the estimation the country’s motoring millions, without investing in publicity or marketing campaigns. The theory is that product quality will speak for itself.
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