Goodyear Expands Innovation Network to Silicon Valley

- New office focused on technology collaborations with automakers, startups

- Goodyear sees opportunities to advance tire performance on autonomous vehicles

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Sep 01, 2017, 10:20 ET

AKRON, Ohio, Sept. 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NASDAQ: GT) has opened its first office in the Silicon Valley to connect with automakers, suppliers and mobility-related startups working on the next generations of vehicles and service models.

The company's initial focus areas for its Silicon Valley office are to optimize tires and service solutions for autonomous vehicles and ride sharing fleets; to utilize tire and vehicle data to plan for tire replacement and service; and to connect with leaders in the automotive industry to accelerate its own innovation platforms.

"People don't immediately associate tires with the digital transformation in the automotive industry," said Chris Helsel, Goodyear's chief technology officer. "But we see an unprecedented opportunity for tire electronics and information systems to improve vehicle performance, safety and, ultimately, the consumer experience."

As an innovation leader in the global tire industry, Goodyear has nearly 120 years of tire and vehicle expertise and knowledge, ranging from passenger vehicles and commercial trucks to aircraft and earthmovers.

The new Goodyear office is located in Sunnyvale, Calif., at the Plug and Play Tech Center, the world's largest global technology accelerator and venture fund. Goodyear is a founding member of Plug and Play's mobility platform, launched in 2016.

"Our goal is to build smarter, connected products and services for future generations of vehicles and business models," said Helsel. "We are open for business in the Silicon Valley to connect with the best and brightest thinkers around the future of mobility."

Goodyear's Silicon Valley office is an extension of the company's global innovation network that includes innovation centers, development centers and tire proving grounds around the world. The network also includes open innovation partnerships with numerous customers, suppliers, governments and universities.

Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. It employs about 65,000 people and manufactures its products in 47 facilities in 21 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. For more information about Goodyear and its products, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate.

SOURCE The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company