Goodyear Innovation, Next Generation Products on Display at Geneva Motor Show

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Mar 03, 2010, 03:13 ET

GENEVA, March 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company's (NYSE: GT) innovative technology and industry-leading new product engine are on full display at the 80th Geneva Motor Show, which opens to the public tomorrow.

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The company's Goodyear and Dunlop brands are showcasing four concept and prototype tires that feature innovations for future use on earth and in outer space as well as five new tires for use by European motorists today.

"As a company, we lead the industry with forward-looking tire technologies that contribute to greater road safety and reduce the impact on the environment," said Arthur de Bok, president of Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe.

"New products and innovation are key platforms for driving top line growth in 2010 and beyond," he added. "The innovations on display in Geneva demonstrate our capability to deliver relevant technology to our customers."

Innovative Technologies for Fuel Efficiency, Mobility

Two of the company's technologies come together in an extremely low rolling resistance version of the award-winning Goodyear EfficientGrip tire specially developed to fulfill the distinctive requirements of future electric vehicles. This prototype tire combines top-rated energy efficiency and excellent noise and wet braking performance levels with Goodyear's latest generation of RunOnFlat Technology.

An innovative Dunlop concept tire with a design by Pininfarina is being shown on two-seat concept car from the Italian design firm. The aerodynamic shape of the tire reduces fuel consumption by cutting air drag by about 4 percent.

Already honored as the "Environmental Achievement of the Year" by the Tire Technology International Awards for Innovation and Excellence, Goodyear's forward-looking concept tire made with Biolsoprene technology makes its auto show debut in Geneva. The tire, which is the result of a collaboration between Goodyear and Genecor, features a breakthrough bio-based alternative to a petroleum-based material used in the manufacture of synthetic rubber.

Visitors to the Geneva Motor Show will also see the innovative airless "spring tire" developed by Goodyear and NASA for use in outer space. The "spring tire" features 800 load bearing springs and is designed to carry heavy vehicles over long distances.

Next Generation RunOnFlat Tire Leads New Product Introductions

Taking center stage among the company's new products is the introduction of the latest generation of the company's popular RunOnFlat tire technology, which offers numerous benefits to automakers, consumers and the environment.

Compared to previous generations, the newest RunOnFlat tire has reduced mass and rolling resistance, which lowers fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. In another breakthrough, the new RunOnFlat tire offers comfort levels comparable to standard tires. In independent testing, the latest generation Goodyear RunOnFlat tire delivered a four percent shorter breaking distance on wet roads and 13 percent lower rolling resistance levels when compared to standard tires.

The company sold more than two million RunOnFlat tires in 2009.

New tires launched at the show also include:

Goodyear EfficientGrip ultra low rolling resistance tire,
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice+ winter tire with ActiveGrip Technology,
Dunlop SP StreetResponse tire with Touch Technology and
Dunlop SP QuattroMaxx ultra-high performance SUV tire.

Goodyear and Dunlop tires are increasingly being chosen as original equipment (OE) fitment by the leading European car brands. In 2009 alone, Goodyear and Dunlop have been awarded OE fitments on new key car models across many segments, including the BMW 3 Series and 7 Series, Opel Insignia, Audi Q7 and R8, Volkswagen Golf Blue Motion and Jaguar XKR and XRF.

Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. It employs approximately 69,000 people and manufactures its products in 57 facilities in 23 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, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate.

SOURCE The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company