Goodyear Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2008 Results

Highlights

Sales of $4.1 billion for quarter, $19.5 billion for year

Pricing/product mix gains of $263 million for quarter, $942 million for year

Significant cost savings of $205 million for quarter, $700 million for year

2009 Actions

Global product leadership extended with more than 50 new tire launches

Cost actions raise 4-point plan savings to $2.5 billion, $700 million in 2009

Personnel reductions of nearly 5,000 planned, salaries frozen

Additional capacity reduction of 15 to 25 million units over the next two years

Cash flow actions target 2009 capital expenditures of $700 to $800 million and inventory reductions of more than $500 million

AKRON, Ohio, February 18, 2009: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company today reported fourth quarter and full year 2008 results and detailed actions to address market challenges in a much weaker economy.

Goodyear's fourth quarter 2008 sales were $4.1 billion, down from $5.2 billion in the 2007 quarter, despite increases in Goodyear-branded market share. The company's net loss was $330 million ($1.37 per share), compared with net income of $52 million (23 cents per share) in the 2007 quarter. All per share amounts are diluted.

"Given lower industry demand, we are taking aggressive action, reducing tire production, cutting costs and adjusting investments to better match market conditions," said Robert J. Keegan, chairman and chief executive officer.

"The many positive actions we took and the results we achieved in 2008 provide a base from which we will address the market challenges we will inevitably face in 2009," he said.

2009 Actions

Consistent with Goodyear's ongoing strategies, Keegan announced actions in three key areas to address the economic environment in 2009.

Top Line Growth: The company plans an unprecedented number of new product launches in 2009, with more than 50 new tires being introduced globally. Targeted to key segments, these include the new Assurance Fuel Max tire introduced earlier this month in North America and more recently announced as original equipment on the new Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle. Significant launches that showcase Goodyear's innovative new products will be made across all geographic regions.

Cost Reductions: Goodyear plans to further reduce costs by approximately $700 million in 2009 and has therefore raised its four-point cost savings plan target to $2.5 billion. Actions include:

  -- Further reducing personnel levels by nearly 5,000 in addition to almost
     4,000 reductions in the second half of 2008 and freezing salaries.
  -- Implementing new cost control policies to eliminate non-essential
     discretionary spending.
  -- Purchasing actions to lower the cost of both raw materials and indirect
     materials.

In addition, Goodyear plans to eliminate between 15 million and 25 million units of additional manufacturing capacity worldwide over the next two years. Managing for Cash: The company plans to implement a number of cash flow actions in 2009, including:

  -- Cutting capital expenditures to between $700 million and $800 million.
  -- Reducing inventory levels by more than $500 million.
  -- Pursuing the sale of non-core assets.

"Collectively, these actions address the new economic realities," said Keegan. "We will remain flexible and are prepared to take additional actions if market conditions warrant. Our goal is to ensure Goodyear is positioned for success when tire markets recover."

Fourth Quarter Results

Goodyear's fourth quarter 2008 sales were $4.1 billion, compared with $5.2 billion in the 2007 quarter. The 2008 sales reflect the $774 million negative impact resulting from a 19 percent reduction in tire volume due to a rapid deterioration in industry demand around the world during the quarter and the $375 million negative impact of foreign currency translation. Sales benefited from pricing and mix improvements, which drove revenue per tire, excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, up 9 percent over the 2007 quarter.

Also impacting the change in sales was the 2007 divestiture of the company's T&WA tire mounting business, which contributed sales of $158 million in the fourth quarter of 2007.

The fourth quarter segment operating loss was $159 million in 2008. This compares to segment operating income of $312 million in the 2007 period.

The segment operating loss in the fourth quarter of 2008 reflected lower unit sales, which drove a negative volume impact of $154 million and under- absorbed fixed costs of $213 million. Higher raw material costs, which increased 28 percent, or approximately $350 million, more than offset improved pricing and product mix of $263 million.

Sales, administrative and general expenses declined $134 million compared to the 2007 quarter, reflecting foreign currency translation, lower compensation-related expense and cost savings programs.

The fourth quarter 2008 net loss was $330 million ($1.37 per share). This compares to net income of $52 million (23 cents per share) in the 2007 fourth quarter. All per share amounts are diluted.

The 2008 fourth quarter included $38 million (16 cents per share) in after-tax charges for rationalizations, a $16 million (7 cents per share) after-tax loss due to the liquidation of a Jamaican subsidiary, $11 million (5 cents per share) in after-tax accelerated depreciation, a $5 million (2 cents per share) after-tax valuation allowance related to an investment, $2 million (1 cent per share) in expenses related to hurricanes in North America, an after-tax gain of $13 million (5 cents per share) related to asset sales, $9 million (4 cents per share) in various discrete net tax benefits and a $7 million (3 cents per share) after-tax gain due to settlements with certain suppliers.

The 2007 fourth quarter included $20 million (8 cents per share) in after- tax rationalization charges, after-tax losses on asset sales of $19 million (8 cents per share), after-tax financing fees of $17 million (7 cents per share) related to debt conversion, $6 million (2 cents per share) in after-tax accelerated depreciation and reduced tax expense of $11 million (4 cents per share) due to a tax law change.

See the table at the end of this release for a list of significant items impacting the 2008 and 2007 fourth quarters.

Four-Point Cost Savings Plan

Goodyear made further progress during 2008 on its four-point cost savings plan with $700 million in new savings, including $205 million during the fourth quarter. Savings achieved from 2006 through 2008 under the plan total $1.8 billion.

Full-Year Results

Goodyear's sales for 2008 were $19.5 billion, less than 1 percent lower than 2007's record $19.6 billion. The 2008 sales reflect the $1.3 billion negative impact resulting from an 8.5 percent reduction in tire volume. Also, impacting the change in sales was the 2007 divestiture of the company's T&WA tire mounting business, which contributed sales of $639 million in 2007. Favorable foreign currency translation positively impacted sales by $383 million.

Sales benefited from pricing and mix improvements, which drove revenue per tire, excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, up 8 percent compared to 2007.

Asia Pacific Tire, Latin American Tire and Europe, Middle East and Africa Tire each achieved record full-year sales.

Segment operating income was $804 million, down from $1.2 billion in 2007. This reflects the lower unit sales, which resulted in a negative volume impact of $249 million and higher conversion costs of $487 million, primarily driven by under-absorbed fixed costs of $373 million.

Improvements in pricing and product mix of approximately $942 million more than offset higher raw material costs, which increased 13 percent, or approximately $712 million, compared to 2007.

Asia Pacific Tire and Latin American Tire achieved record full-year segment operating income.

Goodyear's net loss of $77 million (32 cents per share) in 2008 compares to 2007 net income of $602 million ($2.65 per share). The 2007 results included an after-tax gain of $508 million ($2.19 per share) on the sale of the company's former Engineered Products business. All per share amounts are diluted.