Great Moments in History
Take a look at some of the many important turning points from more than a century of Goodyear innovation.
Goodyear introduces the Aquatred. With its unique, deep-groove aquachannel, this tire sets new standards for wet traction. It becomes the most award-winning tire in industry history.
Goodyear introduces the world's first original-equipment run-flat tire on the new Corvette. Even after losing all air pressure, the Goodyear GS-C EMT (Extended Mobility tire) can be driven 50 miles at speeds up to 55 mph.
Goodyear opens its first tire store in Beijing and becomes the first western tire company in China.
Goodyear announces a $20 million joint venture with Qingdao Gold Lion Hose Co., the largest producer of automotive brake, air conditioning, radiator hose and hose assemblies in China.
Goodyear becomes the first tire company with an electronic store on its website.
Goodyear acquires majority interest in TC Debica, the leading passenger tire manufacturer in Poland.
Goodyear introduces the Gatorback Poly-V automotive belt, providing unsurpassed performance for high-horsepower applications.
Goodyear produces the first steel passenger tire at its 75-percent-owned Dalian, China plant.
Goodyear introduces the Infinitred, the first tire with a lifetime treadwear warranty.
Goodyear Chemicals announces $600 million investment plans to grow its business, including two new plants - one in the U.S. and one in Europe.
Goodyear Engineered Products signs a distribution agreement with NGK do Brazil, a subsidiary of Japan's NGK/NTK Spark Plug Co. Ltd., becoming the first non-Japanese belt maker to enter Japan's automotive aftermarket.
Revolutionary Extended Mobility Technology (EMT) tires are rolled out.
Goodyear announces the development of IMPACT (Integrated Manufacturing Precision Assembled Cellular Technology), an advanced tire manufacturing process.
IMPACT is faster and more precise than today's production process, and cuts inventory and related equipment in half.
Goodyear signs a joint venture agreement with the Sava Group of Kranj, Slovenia, to supply transportation hose, air springs and power transmission products to European markets.
Goodyear forms a $1 billion global alliance with Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd.
This re-establishes Goodyear as the world's largest tire company. The alliance with Sumitomo, which extends to Goodyear the rights to the Dunlop tire brand in much of the world, established six joint ventures in Europe, Japan and North America. With the addition of Dunlop's European operations and Goodyear's continuing expansion eastward and into Africa, the company forms two regional businesses in Europe, European Union and Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The latter business unit particularly focuses attention on recent company acquisitions and growth in Poland, Slovenia and South Africa.
