Leading Run-Flat Tire Producer Goodyear Pulls Out All Stops
7 May 1998
Leading Run-Flat Tire Producer Goodyear Pulls Out All Stops AKRON, Ohio, May 7 -- The company that pioneered the concept
of affordable run-flat tires for the family sedan and predicted consumer
acceptance is being overwhelmed with interest in the innovative new product.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is applying a full-court press on its
equipment conversion to manufacture the safety-related product based on the
flood of consumers visiting Goodyear retailers.
"It's clear that consumer demand is going to outstrip the supply of this
product," said Marco Molinari, vice president of sales and marketing for North
America Tires. "We knew our research indicated that consumers were very
interested in the concept of a run-flat tire, but we are somewhat surprised
that the additional cost of the required low-pressure warning system has not
delayed the heavy demand."
The result, Molinari said, is that some consumers seeking the product
might have to wait a short time. "The same is happening with popular new cars
like the Volkswagen Beetle. Demand is momentarily stripping supply," he said.
Retailers must comply with specific tire installation equipment standards and
participate in run-flat tire installer training before Goodyear ships its new
Eagle Aquasteel EMT tires. At a national retail conference of more than
3,500 people, more than two-thirds of the retailers signed up for the initial
certification process, Molinari said.
The world's largest producer of run-flat tires with fitments on Chevrolet
Corvettes, Plymouth Prowler and all-terrain vehicles is now rolling out Eagle
Aquasteel EMT tires for the family car and minivan. More than 168,000
Goodyear run-flats are on the roads today on Corvettes alone.
"Safety issues are so important to today's motorist, and without a doubt,
they are ready for a run-flat tire," Molinari said.
The company has 1,600 outlets nationwide to service the run-flat tire on
the Corvette, which is capable of up to 200 miles at 55 mph with no air.
Molinari said Goodyear has more than that signed up to be certified installers
now, and more are coming on board.
America's largest tiremaker has about 9,097 North American retail outlets
that it could tap to install the run-flat systems.
Molinari said Goodyear's vast distribution system could be a competitive
advantage in the race to build, install and service run-flat tires. "Our run-
flat installation locations should differentiate us from the competition -- as
much as the ultra-tensile steel that reinforces the carcass of our Eagle
Aquasteel EMT," he said.
The new tire blends a patented extended mobility technology with a
revolutionary ultra-tensile steel ply cord -- the world's strongest tire
reinforcement material -- as the answer to the technological challenge of
moving run-flat capability from exotic applications to more mainstream
vehicles.
Eagle Aquasteel EMT delivers significantly improved bead retention on
conventional wheels than earlier run-flat models, due to the extra strength of
steel in the tire sidewalls, Molinari said.
"We see an opportunity to define the run-flat tire segment -- to own it.
This is a defining moment for the run-flat tire market. We believe it will be
huge. To ensure our leadership, we will possess the most extensive network of
certified run-flat centers possible," he said.
To locate the closest certified outlet, motorists can dial 1-800-RUNFLAT.
The company also has given the technology its own web page, http://www.runflat.com.
SOURCE Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
