Goodyear News
Goodyear – a century of innovations in the name of safety
10-02-2011
“Innovation is what has made Goodyear what it is today,” says Hugues Despres, Goodyear Brand Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa. “The pioneering spirit of innovation that drove the start-up of the company in 1898 is still at the core of our business success today and will further drive us tomorrow. As then, it is this commitment to creating products that improve automotive safety that drives us today.”
Committed to safety for one hundred years
Since the first bicycle tyre rolled off its production line in 1898, Goodyear has continued to strive to become the world's largest tyre company — a title it earned in 1916 when it adopted the slogan "More people ride on Goodyear tyres than on any other kind". Goodyear has held this leadership position in the tyre and rubber industry for many, many decades. The thousands of breakthroughs, innovations, new inventions, firsts and groundbreaking improvements that the company lists today are a reflection of its continued commitment to improving the performance of its products. Goodyear is widely recognized for its long-standing commitment to safety and performance through innovation – from its first pneumatic airplane tyre in 1909, the first studded tyre, the first tyre on the moon, the first true high-speed tyre and many others.
Landing safely
The first pneumatic airplane tyre, developed by Goodyear in 1909, saw planes that were until then landing on bicycle tyres and sled runners change to a much safer tyre technology: the first transcontinental flight landed 63 times over 84 days on Goodyear tyres.
Safety in even the harshest weather conditions
Winter presents some of the most challenging weather conditions for drivers. Dropping temperatures, incessant rain, slush, ice and snow demand tyres that are specifically developed to cope with these extreme conditions and Goodyear sets the development of such a tyre high on its priority list. In 1934 the company launches its first studded mud and snow tyre. Over the past seventy years, Goodyear has developed some of the most innovative safety related tyre technologies including recent highlights such as the SmartWear and the ActiveBraking Technology. Goodyear has been home to some of the most highly acclaimed tyres designed specifically to provide an answer to challenging weather conditions, including the UltraGrip winter tyres, the OptiGrip and the HydraGrip tyres, especially developed for Europe’s rainy weather conditions. Already in the seventies, Goodyear introduced the Aquatred, one of the first true ‘wet weather’ tyres, available on the market.
RunOnFlat Technology – stay in control after a puncture
As passive crash protection safety gear, such as seatbelts, airbags, etc., became standard in most modern cars, manufacturers also began to be interested in active safety features such as Goodyear’s RunOnFlat tyres, which the company first introduced as EMT tyres in 1997 and later as RunOnFlat in 2005. Goodyear’s RunOnFlat is one of the leading active safety technologies that assists drivers to keep on driving safely after a puncture. Since its introduction, several car manufacturers have decided to equip their vehicles with one of the industry's leading tyre safety technology and Goodyear today delivers RunOnFlat tyres to leading car makers including Audi, BMW, Mini, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce and others.
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric – a true success story
Goodyear’s successful Eagle F1 summer tyre family has gone from strength to strength, collecting several international accolades and awards. Almost thirty years after the introduction of the first ultra-high performance summer tyre Eagle F1, Goodyear launches its latest generation, the new Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2, in 2011. The new generation Eagle F1 with ActiveBraking Technology has been extensively tested by independent testing organization TÜV SÜD Automotive. The tyre’s outstanding test results promise a successful market introduction over the coming months.
Goodyear UltraGrip – 40 years of innovation
The Goodyear UltraGrip winter tyre family, first launched in 1971 has received many awards and recommendations. The new UltraGrip 8 is the first directional tyre with Goodyear’s patented 3D-BIS (Block Interlocking System) Technology throughout the entire tread pattern. Goodyear’s innovative technology ensures the new UltraGrip 8 answers the most pressing needs of drivers in a winter tyre: more grip and shorter braking distances, as well as improved braking and handling.
Safety for all road users
In its continued commitment to road safety, Goodyear signed the European Road Safety Charter (ERSC) – a pan-European initiative that aims to increase road safety across Europe. In addition to extended campaigns on tyre maintenance and responsible driving, special attention will be given to children, to improve their knowledge of traffic rules and help them protect themselves on the road. “For a tyre manufacturer, the most impactful way to contribute to road safety is through the development of our products. This commitment to safety through innovation is a fundamental commitment at the core of our company that will continue to guide our contributions as we face the future,” concludes Despres of Goodyear.