Goodyear's Assurance Featuring TripleTred Technology Named Finalist in 2005 Automotive News PACE Award Competition

AKRON, Ohio, Oct. 20, 2004 -- Assurance featuring TripleTred Technology, Goodyear's popular new "any-season" tire, has been recognized as a finalist in the prestigious Automotive News PACE Award competition.

The tire is a finalist in the Product category, which honors innovations that have significant market impact and act as "game changers" in the automotive industry. TripleTred is the only tire among the finalists, which includes numerous electronic and mechanical innovations.

Now in its 11th year, the PACE Award (Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contribution to Excellence) recognizes superior innovation, technological advancement and business performance among automotive suppliers. Goodyear won the award in 1999 for its run-flat tires, and again in 2002 for its Wrangler MT/R off-road tires. Goodyear was a finalist in 2004 for the Eagle F1 GS-D3 ultra-performance tire.

"Goodyear is honored that this innovation has been recognized by the PACE committee," said Joseph M. Gingo, Goodyear's executive vice president, Quality Systems and chief technical officer. "TripleTred Technology is the current state of all-season tire science, and it represents Goodyear's continued commitment to technical leadership and innovation.

"In the past month, three of our tires have been recognized by three different prestigious industry or consumer organizations," Gingo said. "These honors confirm that we're succeeding with our core strategies of product leadership and building brand strength - two of the areas of focus guiding our business turnaround."

Goodyear has received a tremendous market response to the Assurance family of tires, which was first introduced in North America earlier this year. Sales are running at more than three times the company's expectations and Assurance is creating a "halo effect" over the entire Goodyear brand.

Assurance featuring TripleTred Technology is the culmination of decades of research into the design, engineering and physics of all-weather tire technology. The TripleTred's unique ability to excel in any weather sets it apart from other tires.

"The tire was engineered with a unique 'three-tires-in-one' feature to let drivers confidently take on rain-drenched highways, icy or snowy roads, or unanticipated situations on dry pavement," said Gingo.

TripleTred Technology incorporates three unique tread zones for superior traction in any kind of weather. A unique Water Zone consisting of deeply carved Aquachutes propels water away from the tire's tread to assure more tire contact with the road when the surface is rain-drenched. An interlocking tread pattern creates an Ice Zone which translates into more gripping power on icy or snow-covered roads. A Dry Zone rounds out the three tread element areas, enhanced by reinforced tire shoulders for confident maneuvering around curves, potholes and unexpected road debris on dry pavement.

The tire also incorporates scientific advances in rubber compounding, including the use of fiberglass fibers and volcanic sand in the tire's winter formulated compound, which allows the tire to maintain flexibility in cold weather.

The PACE Award is presented by Automotive News, Capgemini and Transportation Research Center, Inc. Winners are selected through comprehensive written applications and site visits by industry, academic and business leaders. Winners will be announced April 11, 2005 in Detroit.

Goodyear is the world's largest tire company. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, the company manufactures tires, engineered rubber products and chemicals in more than 80 facilities in 28 countries. It has marketing operations in almost every country around the world. Goodyear employs about 85,000 people worldwide. Find information about Goodyear's Assurance tires at http://www.goodyearassurance.com/ .