Goodyear's Newest Innovations on Display in Geneva

Goodyear's innovative technology and industry-leading new product engine are on full display at the 82nd Geneva International Motor Show in Switzerland, which opens to the public today, Thursday, 8 March.

New technologies on display include Goodyear's Air Maintenance Technology (AMT), a self-inflating tyre system that can help reduce fuel consumption. Visitors to the Geneva Motor Show will see how tyres can remain inflated at the optimum pressure without the need for any external pumps, electronics or driver intervention.

"Consumers often overlook the importance of maintaining proper tyre pressure," said Jean-Claude Kihn, Goodyear senior vice president and chief technical officer. "We believe this technology will have immediate positive impact for drivers in terms of performance and for the environment through improved fuel efficiency, reduced emissions and extended tyre life. Goodyear has taken on this challenge and the progress we have made is very encouraging to the point that we are now ready to demonstrate it in Geneva for the first time."

Additional new technologies on display include the company's Electric Vehicle Tyre Technology developed for CityHush, a European Union-sponsored project to reduce noise in cities throughout Europe. Goodyear will show how Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology is being taken from the race track to the road to make consumer and fleet tyres more intelligent in the future, and Goodyear's innovative Spring Tyre â€" an airless tyre designed originally for use on the moon. Another concept tyre on display is made with BioIsopreneâ„¢, a revolutionary bio-based alternative for petroleum-derived isoprene. The development of BioIsopreneâ„¢ will help reduce the tyre industry's dependence on oil-derived products.

Goodyear's Europe, Middle East and Africa tyre business will highlight its latest consumer tyre technologies including RunOnFlat Technology and 4D Sipe Technology. The company will also exhibit its new 2012 product which will be available in South Africa - the Goodyear EfficientGrip SUV.
Goodyear will host a special display where the media can learn about the upcoming introduction of tyre labels in Europe this year. European consumers will see tyres in their dealerships carrying a standardised label that provides information on three key performance attributes: rolling resistance, wet grip and exterior rolling noise.

"Goodyear has always been proactive in research and development and we are looking forward to displaying a range of innovations that people will never have seen before," said Jean Pierre Jeusette, general director of Goodyear's Luxembourg Innovation Center. "These technologies have been specifically developed to meet the ever-changing requirements of modern consumers and society focused on performance, sustainability, the environment and convenience."

Goodyear is one of the world's largest tyre companies.  It employs approximately 73 000 people and manufactures its products in 53 facilities in 22 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 and its products, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate or www.goodyear.co.za.