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Goodyear Sweetens Its Run-Flat Tire Offer

1 March 1999

Goodyear Sweetens Its Run-Flat Tire Offer

    AKRON, Ohio, March 1 -- Buying a set of Goodyear run-flat
tires just became a no-brainer.
    The world's largest run-flat tire producer has an offer you can't refuse.
Beginning today, purchase a set of Eagle Aquasteel run-flat tires from a
participating outlet and Goodyear will throw in a required low-pressure
warning system -- for free.
    The four-month marketing program also includes:

    * Six months same as cash with a Goodyear credit card.
    * A direct mail program to high-potential vehicle owners.
    * An expanded replacement run-flat tire offering to cover fitment on more
of the most popular vehicles on the highway.  This month, three additional
Eagle Aquasteel run-flat sizes will be added to the line, bringing the total
to eight.
    In a separate announcement, Goodyear has approved a new Schrader Smart
Valve Model 47301 low-pressure warning system for use with its run-flat tires
in the replacement market.  Goodyear's list of approved replacement-market
low-pressure warning systems formerly included only the SmarTire system.
    By offering a free low-pressure warning system, Goodyear is facilitating
the purchase of run-flat tires, according to Bob Toth, marketing manager for
Eagle performance tires.  "We're strengthening our position in run-flat tires
by delivering products that consumers want," Toth said.
    "Our run-flat tires are the ultimate in convenience and safety.  They
allow drivers to determine when and where it is safe to stop after
experiencing an air loss.  It takes away the fear of having a flat tire," Toth
said.
    The Eagle Aquasteel EMT, capable of up to 50 miles at 55 mph without air
when fully loaded, performs so well that a low-inflation sensor system is
required to alert the driver that a tire is losing air, he said.
    In preparation for this new campaign, Goodyear is expanding capacity for
replacement run-flat tire market production.
    New equipment modifications and processes to produce run-flat tires are
underway at Goodyear's Union City, Tenn., tire manufacturing facility.  Union
City joins the company's tire plant in Lawton, Okla., in building run-flat
tires for the North America market.
    An ultra-high-performance Eagle F1 run-flat tire is manufactured in Europe
for that replacement market.
    Toth said the expanded capacity will help fulfill expected future consumer
demand as well as the company's commitment to delivering run-flat tires that
fit affordable, conventional wheels.