Goodyear News

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 tyre 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.

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: