Goodyear Says Detroit and Akron Rival Milan as Fashion Capital ... in Tires
AKRON, Ohio, Jan. 8, 2007 -- The words "style" and "fashion" are usually reserved for Milan, Paris and New York, but this week the new products are appearing in Detroit. And while some think of the latest designs as being unveiled in a stroll down the runway, these models are built for the highway.
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The "models" in question are the new vehicles that are being introduced this week at the North American International Auto Show. As the cars garner primary attention, the most perceptive show-goers will notice the "shoes" of the new models -- the only points that touch the road.
"Auto shows are an opportunity to prove that tires can be fashionable, too," said Paul Maxwell, a principal designer for The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. "While they provide functional capabilities such as carrying the vehicle load, gripping ability in all kinds of weather, and traction for starting and stopping, tires actually can complement the vehicle's appearance."
At the Detroit show this week, Goodyear tires are seen on high-image vehicles such as these 2007 concepts: Jeep Trailhawk, Ford Interceptor and Chrysler Nassau.
Each year, more new vehicles come equipped with Goodyear tires than any other brand. For years, Goodyear engineers and tire designers have worked with teams from the automobile manufacturers to create special tires for the vehicles that will be introduced at the Detroit show. Many of the concept vehicles, or at least a variation of the show vehicle, are eventually produced.
"At an auto show, you'll find all sorts of tires. This ranges from heavily blocked treads to match an off-road vehicle that's suited for rugged terrain, wide and low tires that feature sweeping and directional patterns, and some very creative tread designs that are like the concept automobiles to which they're fitted -- strictly conceptual and sort of far-out," Maxwell said.
"Like the auto makers displaying their products on the show floor, we use a blend of true production tires along with some concept designs. In many cases, our 'footwear' helps complete the overall look of a vehicle, just like a pair of good shoes adds to the style package of a well-tailored suit."
Among past examples of Goodyear's one-of-a-kind concept tires for auto shows and other activities are the "Snakeskin" tire (for the 1997 Dodge Copperhead concept car), the "gray block" tire (for the Ford MA concept in 2003), a "techno-tread" tire (for the 2003 Dodge Tomahawk concept motorcycle), a "sweeping" tread design (for the 2005 Ford Shelby GR-1 concept), and even the "Bat" tire (for the famous Batmobile movie car).
But it isn't all style over substance when it comes to this week's tire fitments at the show.
As vehicle technology and styling continue to improve at an unbelievable pace, any auto enthusiast still knows that most important is what provides the grip -- the tires. That is the part of a vehicle that comes in contact with the pavement, and it is where the energy transfer occurs, according to Maxwell.
Seemingly futuristic run-flat tires and wild-looking concept tires from Goodyear aren't just the result of a tire design engineer's wild imagination. They are requested components for some of the most popular concept vehicles displayed at auto shows, and those vehicles often evolve into reality in the form of production models.
"Concept tire development is important, because it allows us to contribute to automotive design trends that soon may be coming down the road. Communication between the automaker and tiremaker is paramount to keeping image and messages consistent through design," Maxwell said.
For more tire information on Goodyear tires, go to www.goodyeartires.com.
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PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
NOTE TO EDITORS: Goodyear has photos available for downloading at www.GoodyearNewsRoom.com. Keywords: CONCEPT TIRES.