Geneva, Switzerland, March 3, 2009 – Goodyear, one of the world's largest tire manufacturers, introduces EfficientGrip with FuelSaving Technology – a brand-new more environmentally friendly high-performance summer tire that delivers important fuel savings while offering high mileage and excellent wet braking performance levels.

Tests by Goodyear's tire evaluation department in Luxembourg show  that the new Goodyear EfficientGrip provides:

• • 15% better rolling resistance

• • 3% shorter braking distance on wet

• • 3% better wet handling

Additionally, extensive long-term tread wear tests show  extremely positive results for the tire's mileage potential: A car equipped with the new Goodyear EfficientGrip can drive up to

• 25 percent more kilometers, which is another significant benefit for consumers and more friendly towards the environment.

"Low rolling resistance is the key performance indicator when aiming for lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions," explained Jean-Pierre Jeusette, Goodyear's Director Tire Technology Consumer Tires for Europe, Middle East and Africa. "Our customer benefit goals were very ambitious and we have achieved them by using advanced materials and the latest developments in manufacturing techniques: thanks to Goodyear's new FuelSaving Technology we are now able to present an environmentally friendlier tire with very low rolling resistance levels and high mileage potential that at the same time fulfills Goodyear's strict requirements for important performance areas such as wet handling and wet braking," said Jeusette.

Revolutionary FuelSaving Technology

Goodyear EfficientGrip is the first tire that features the company's innovative FuelSaving Technology. The term ‘FuelSaving Technology' comprises several technological advances that directly affect the tire's rolling resistance: a special light-weight tire structure, a patented ‘CoolCushion Layer' and advanced compound materials and innovative manufacturing techniques. Together these various elements reduce the mount of energy required to make the tire roll, which reduces the car's fuel consumption and hence its CO2 emissions.

Light weight tire structure

Using new materials and an efficient structure, the tire's weight has been reduced by about 10% . Less material with less heat generation leads to reduced rolling resistance levels. Compared to its predecessor, the EfficientGrip features a lower polyester ply end and a sidewall using less material, which contributes to the lower weight as well as to reduced rolling resistance.

Patented CoolCushion Layer

A new thermo-plastic ingredient used as a reinforcing agent replaces partially carbon black for less weight and less heat generation, resulting in a further decrease of the tire's rolling resistance.

Advanced compound materials

"The various compounds used in a tire significantly contribute to its performance; they are the result of intensive research and development by highly skilled compound engineers and material specialists and are probably one of the best kept secrets of each premium tire. For the EfficientGrip we not only use the latest generation of polymers: through the usage of advanced reinforcement and linking agents in the EfficientGrip's various compounds, the energy dissipation capability of the components has been greatly improved, reducing the tire's rolling resistance," explained Jeusette.

Goodyear EfficientGrip: major benefits for consumers and more friendly towards the environment

Leading car manufacturers choose EfficientGrip as Original Equipment

The new Goodyear EfficientGrip has already been approved as Original Equipment by several car manufacturers, such as Renault for the new Megane 3 and Mercedes for the E-Class. Various additional OE approval projects with leading car makers are ongoing.

Available in various sizes

With the launch of the EfficientGrip, Goodyear continues its history of introducing innovative tire technologies, delivering a tire that provides environmental benefits without compromising the safety relevant performance areas such as wet braking or handling. The new EfficientGrip will be available in various sizes covering a wide range of cars from the compact class up to the luxury class:

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