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Goodyear Achieves Record Sales in Third Quarter 2006


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* Record global sales of $5.3 billion

* Record sales in all five tire businesses

* Charge of $107 million, 60 cents per share, for announced plant closing

AKRON, Ohio, Nov. 9 -- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company today reported third quarter sales of $5.3 billion, a record for any quarter and a 6 percent improvement compared to the year-ago period excluding the impact of businesses divested in 2005, and despite the strategic decision to exit certain segments of the private label tire business in North America.

Third quarter 2006 sales were driven by improved pricing and product mix, particularly in North American Tire, and the favorable impact of currency translation, estimated at $77 million. All five of the company's tire businesses achieved sales that were a record for any quarter.

Tire unit volume was 55.8 million units in the quarter, compared to 58.4 million units in the 2005 period. This 4 percent decrease was in part a result of the company's move to exit certain segments of the private label tire business in North America. Revenue per tire increased 8 percent compared to the third quarter of 2005.

Including $126 million (71 cents per share) in after-tax restructuring charges, the company reported a net loss of $48 million (27 cents per share) during the 2006 third quarter. Of those charges, $107 million (60 cents per share) is related to the previously announced plan to close the Tyler, Texas, tire plant. The results also reflect higher raw material costs of $249 million, offset partially by $225 million of improved price/mix, and lower tire volume. During the period, the company also recorded an after-tax gain of $10 million (6 cents per share) from a supplier settlement, and after-tax expenses of $7 million (4 cents per share) related to accelerated depreciation primarily for a previously announced plant closure in New Zealand. Net income in the 2005 quarter was $142 million (70 cents per share). All per share amounts are diluted.

"Despite ongoing market weakness in North America and record high raw material costs, we continue to demonstrate the strength of our business model changes and successful product portfolio," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Robert J. Keegan.

"After a challenging first half, our European Union business achieved year-over-year improvements in sales, units and segment operating income. Our key business strategies are also continuing to drive excellent results in the Asia Pacific, Latin America and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa tire businesses," he said.

"Although we are in the midst of a strike by the United Steelworkers in North America, we continue to work hard for a contract that is fair to all stakeholders and puts Goodyear on a level playing field with our competitors," Keegan said. "In the meantime, we are executing on our contingency plans to continue providing our customers with outstanding value, products and services."

Business Segments

Third quarter total segment operating income was $313 million, a decrease of 5 percent compared to $330 million in the 2005 period. The European Union; Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific businesses each achieved segment operating income records. Prior-year segment operating income benefited from $8 million related to businesses divested in 2005.

See the note at the end of this release for further explanation and a reconciliation table.

  North American Tire            Third Quarter              Nine Months
  (in millions)                2006         2005         2006         2005

  Tire Units                   23.5         26.6         70.4         77.2
  Sales                      $2,432       $2,370       $7,011       $6,804
  Segment Operating Income       19           58           68          124
  Segment Operating Margin      0.8%         2.4%         1.0%         1.8%

North American Tire's sales were a record for any quarter, and increased 5 percent compared to the year-ago period excluding the impact of divestitures in 2005, as a result of strong sales in the chemical and other tire related businesses, and favorable price and product mix, led by high-value Goodyear and Dunlop branded tires.

Third quarter segment operating income was $19 million, compared to $58 million in the prior year period, reflecting lower volume resulting from reduced demand in the consumer replacement market, the exit from the wholesale private label business, and higher costs related to lower production. Favorable price and product mix of $103 million partially offset approximately $108 million in higher raw material costs. Segment operating income also benefited from lower SAG expenses and higher operating income from other tire related businesses.

Divestitures in 2005 reduced third quarter 2006 sales by approximately $61 million, segment operating income by $8 million, and volume by 200,000 units.

The 2005 quarter also included approximately $10 million of costs associated with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the U.S. Gulf Coast region.

  European Union Tire            Third Quarter              Nine Months
  (in millions)                2006         2005         2006         2005

  Tire Units                   16.5         16.2         47.8         48.1
  Sales                      $1,263       $1,131       $3,647       $3,507
  Segment Operating Income       81           80          211          272
  Segment Operating Margin      6.4%         7.1%         5.8%         7.8%

European Union Tire's sales were a record for any quarter and 12 percent higher than in the 2005 quarter, due primarily to improved pricing and product mix, the impact of foreign currency translation, estimated at $61 million, and higher volume.

Segment operating income was a third-quarter record. The increase primarily reflected improved pricing and product mix, as increased sales of consumer replacement tires -- especially winter tires -- compensated for a decline in OE unit sales. Lower SAG expense also helped to partially offset higher raw material costs, estimated at $66 million.

  Eastern Europe, Middle
    East and Africa Tire         Third Quarter             Nine Months
  (in millions)               2006         2005         2006         2005

  Tire Units                   5.6          5.4         15.3         14.9
  Sales                       $430         $394       $1,153       $1,076
  Segment Operating Income      77           64          179          160
  Segment Operating Margin    17.9%        16.2%        15.5%        14.9%

Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa Tire's sales were a record for any quarter and up 9 percent compared to the third quarter of 2005 due to improved pricing and product mix, and higher volume. The company estimates currency translation had a negative impact on sales of approximately $10 million in the third quarter.

Segment operating income was a record for any quarter, and represented a 20 percent improvement over 2005. This gain was due to improved pricing and product mix and higher volume. These offset higher raw material costs, estimated at $17 million.

   Latin American Tire          Third Quarter              Nine Months
  (in millions)               2006         2005         2006         2005

  Tire Units                   5.3          5.0         15.7         15.4
  Sales                       $407         $372       $1,190       $1,101
  Segment Operating Income      77           77          262          241
  Segment Operating Margin    18.9%        20.7%        22.0%        21.9%

Latin American Tire's sales were a record for any quarter and increased 9 percent compared to the prior-year period due to higher volume, the favorable impact of currency translation, estimated at $9 million, and favorable pricing and product mix.

Segment operating income was flat compared to the 2005 quarter, as the approximately $7 million favorable impact of currency translation, higher volume, and improved pricing and product mix, were offset by higher raw material costs, estimated at $26 million.

   Asia Pacific Tire            Third Quarter              Nine Months
  (in millions)               2006         2005         2006         2005

  Tire Units                   4.9          5.2         14.6         15.1
  Sales                       $380         $356       $1,110       $1,065
  Segment Operating Income      28           24           78           63
  Segment Operating Margin     7.4%         6.7%         7.0%         5.9%

Asia Pacific Tire's sales were a record for any quarter and a 7 percent increase compared to the 2005 period due to improved pricing and product mix and favorable currency translation, estimated at $2 million, partially offset by lower volume.

Segment operating income was a record for any quarter and a 17 percent improvement compared to the 2005 quarter as a result of improved pricing and product mix, offset in part by higher raw material costs, estimated at $22 million, and lower volume.

  Engineered Products           Third Quarter              Nine Months
  (in millions)               2006         2005         2006         2005

  Sales                       $372         $407       $1,171       $1,236
  Segment Operating Income      31           27           93           78
  Segment Operating Margin     8.3%         6.6%         7.9%         6.3%

Engineered Products' third quarter 2006 sales decreased 9 percent due to lower volume, primarily related to anticipated declines in military sales. This offset improved pricing and product mix, as well as favorable currency translation of approximately $4 million.

Segment operating income increased 15 percent due primarily to a favorable legal settlement with a supplier of approximately $10 million. Pricing and product mix improved compared to the prior-year quarter, but higher raw material costs, estimated at $10 million, and lower volume had a negative impact on results.

Year-to-Date Results

Net income for the first nine months of 2006 was $28 million (16 cents per share) compared to net income of $279 million ($1.39 per share) during the year-ago period.

Sales for the first nine months of 2006 were a record $15.3 billion, an increase of 3 percent from $14.8 billion in the 2005 period. Tire unit volume was 163.8 million units, a decrease of 4 percent from a year ago.

Segment operating income was $891 million, compared to $938 million in the first nine months of 2005.

Divestitures in 2005 reduced sales in the first nine months of 2006 by approximately $211 million, segment operating income by $33 million, and volume by 800,000 units.

Contract Proposal

Goodyear stated today that it plans to publish the details of its latest union contract proposal on its negotiations Web site later today (http://www.goodyearnegotiations.com/) in order to more clearly communicate with its hourly associates. It also stated its bargaining team is returning to Cincinnati in the hopes USW representatives will return to discussions. Included in this proposal are provisions to protect employment levels at all tire manufacturing plants other than Tyler, Texas, which the company has announced the intention to close. Also included is a proposal to contribute $660 million to a Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Association (VEBA), an independent trust fund that would provide retiree health care benefits to USW members and would eliminate the portion of Goodyear's post-retirement health care obligations related to the USW workforce.

Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. The company manufactures tires, engineered rubber products and chemicals in more than 100 facilities in 29 countries around the world. Goodyear employs about 80,000 people worldwide.

  The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and Subsidiaries
  Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)

  (In millions, except per share)        Third Quarter       Nine Months
                                         Ended Sept. 30     Ended Sept. 30
                                         2006     2005       2006    2005

  Net Sales                            $5,284   $5,030    $15,282 $14,789
     Cost of Goods Sold                 4,329    4,008     12,478  11,772
     Selling, Administrative and
      General Expense                     671      707      2,042   2,139
     Rationalizations                     138        9        213      (4)
     Interest Expense                     107      103        314     306
     Other (Income) Expense                 2      (35)       (30)     (5)
     Minority Interest in
        Net Income of Subsidiaries         19       25         42      79

     Income before Income Taxes            18      213        223     502
        United States and Foreign Taxes
         on Income                         66       71        195     223

  Net (Loss) Income                      $(48)    $142        $28    $279

  Net (Loss) Income Per Share of
   Common Stock - Basic                $(0.27)   $0.81      $0.16   $1.59

  Average Shares Outstanding              177      176        177     176

  Net (Loss) Income Per Share of
   Common Stock - Diluted              $(0.27)   $0.70      $0.16   $1.39

  Average Shares Outstanding              177      209        177     209

  The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and Subsidiaries
  Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)

   (In millions)                                  Sept. 30        Dec. 31
                                                     2006           2005
  Assets

  Current Assets:
     Cash and Cash Equivalents                      $1,314         $2,162
     Restricted Cash                                   207            241
     Accounts and Notes Receivable, less
      allowance - $112 ($130 in 2005)                3,837          3,158
     Inventories                                     3,222          2,807
     Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets         392            245
  Total Current Assets                               8,972          8,613

  Goodwill                                             680            637
  Intangible Assets                                    163            159
  Deferred Income Tax                                  104            102
  Deferred Pension Costs and Other Assets              808            860
  Properties and Plants, less Accumulated
   Depreciation - $8,054 ($7,729 in 2005)            5,241          5,234
  Total Assets                                     $15,968        $15,605

  Liabilities
  Current Liabilities:
     Accounts Payable - Trade                       $2,098         $1,939
     Compensation and Benefits                       1,645          1,773
     Other Current Liabilities                         673            671
     United States and Foreign Taxes                   393            393
     Notes Payable and Overdrafts                      254            217
     Long Term Debt and Capital Leases due
      within one year                                  529            448
  Total Current Liabilities                          5,592          5,441
  Long Term Debt and Capital Leases                  4,630          4,742
  Compensation and Benefits                          4,025          3,828
  Deferred and Other Non-Current Income Taxes          318            304
  Other Long Term Liabilities                          386            426
  Minority Equity in Subsidiaries                      841            791
  Total Liabilities                                 15,792         15,532

  Commitments and Contingent liabilities

  Shareholders' Equity
  Preferred Stock, no par value:
     Authorized 50 shares, unissued                     --             --
  Common Stock, no par value:
     Authorized 450 shares (300 in 2005),
      Outstanding Shares - 177 (177 in 2005) after
      deducting 19 Treasury Shares (19 in 2005)        177            177
  Capital Surplus                                    1,416          1,398
  Retained Earnings                                  1,326          1,298
  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss              (2,743)        (2,800)
  Total Shareholders' Equity                           176             73
  Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity       $15,968        $15,605

  Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This earnings release presents total segment operating income and net debt, each of which are important financial measures for the company but are not financial measures defined by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (GAAP).

Total segment operating income is the sum of the individual strategic business unit's segment operating income as determined in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information." Management believes that total segment operating income is useful because it represents the aggregate value of income created by the company's SBUs and excludes items not directly related to the SBUs for performance evaluation purposes. See the table below for the reconciliation of total segment operating income.

Net debt is total debt (the sum of long term debt and capital leases, notes payable and overdrafts, and long-term debt and capital leases due within one year) minus cash and cash equivalents. Management believes net debt is an important measure of liquidity, which it uses as a tool to assess the company's capital structure and measure its ability to meet its future debt obligations. Cash and cash equivalents are subtracted from the GAAP measure because they could be used to reduce our debt obligations. See the table below for the reconciliation of net debt.

  Total Segment Operating Income Reconciliation Table (unaudited)

  (In millions)                               Third Quarter    Nine Months
                                              Ended Sept. 30  Ended Sept. 30
                                                2006  2005      2006  2005

  Total Segment Operating Income                $313  $330      $891  $938
     Rationalizations and Asset Sales           (138)   19      (211)   45
     Accelerated Depreciation Charges             (7)   (1)      (54)   (2)
     Interest Expense                           (107) (103)     (314) (306)
     Foreign Currency Exchange                    (4)   (8)       (2)  (19)
     Minority Interest in Net Income of
      Subsidiaries                               (19)  (25)      (42)  (79)
     Financing Fees and Financial Instruments    (10)  (10)      (30)  (99)
     General and Product Liability
      - Discont. Products                         (1)    -       (10)   (4)
     Latin American Legal matter                   -     -        15     -
     Insurance Recoveries                          1     9         1    43
     Interest Income                              15    13        51    40
     Intercompany Profit Elimination              (1)    5       (23)    -
     Corporate Incentive and Stock-Based
      Compensation Plans                          (9)   (2)      (26)   (5)
     Other                                       (15)  (14)      (23)  (50)
     Income before Income Taxes                   18   213       223   502
     United States and Foreign Taxes
      on Income                                   66    71       195   223
  Net (Loss) Income                             $(48) $142       $28  $279

  Net Debt Reconciliation Table
  (In millions)                                  (unaudited)
                                                   Sept. 30        Dec. 31
                                                      2006           2005

  Long Term Debt and Capital Leases                  4,630          4,742
  Notes Payable and Overdrafts                         254            217
  Long Term Debt and Capital Leases Due Within
   One Year                                            529            448
  Total Debt                                         5,413          5,407
  Less: Cash and Cash Equivalents                   $1,314         $2,162
  Net Debt                                          $4,099         $3,245
  Change in Net Debt compared to Dec 31, 2005         $854