Goodyear Offers Drivers 'Comfort Zone' with New Auto Tire

News provided by

May 04, 2010, 12:00 ET

AKRON, Ohio, May 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- When they find themselves at the top of their game, athletes are considered to be "in the zone." Similarly, a new product from The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NYSE: GT), positioned as a premium tire for luxury sedans, helps deliver a smooth, comfortable ride with features labeled as "Comfort Zones."

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050204/GTLOGO )

The Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring is an all-new tire available at Goodyear retail outlets throughout North America.

In addition to the smooth, comfortable ride, the Assurance ComforTred Touring helps provide refined handling, all-season traction and a tread life limited warranty up to 80,000 miles, all in addition to the signature "touring" and "comfort" feel of the product.

The tire has Dual Comfort Zones:

A special Comfort Layer, with a layer under the tread that provides, on average, 20% more cushion than standard tires, for a smooth, comfortable ride.*
ComfortEdge™, which includes an outer comfort layer and an inner handling layer. Here, a sidewall insert employs a rubber layer that helps absorb road vibration in straight-ahead driving, and a stiffer rubber material that helps keep the tire firm for added support when turning.

"We establish consumer preferences through a market-back approach, then go to work to create products that seek to meet those driving needs," said Gary Medalis, general manager for Goodyear consumer tires. "In the case of the Assurance ComforTred Touring, we sought to deliver relevant technology that meets consumer expectations for a premium tire."

The Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring further solidifies Goodyear's position in the premium auto tire segment, most notably in the "touring" area, which requires refined handling and performance. This new product will help provide the comfort and handling tuned for today's mid- and upper-scale sedans.

"We believe both consumers and our retailers are going to love this tire. With 34 popular sizes, ranging in potential fitments from Honda to Ford, to Lexus and Mercedes, this will be an excellent choice to help meet the needs of tire retailers and everyday motorists," said Medalis.

Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. It employs approximately 69,000 people and manufactures its products in more than 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: Comparison of industry data for T-, H- and V-speed rated tires vs. ComforTred Touring tires.

SOURCE The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company