---

Goodyear, Sumitomo to Share Test Track Facilities

25 August 1997

Goodyear, Sumitomo to Share Test Track Facilities

    AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 25 -- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
and Sumitomo Rubber Industries have agreed to share each other's extensive
test track facilities.
    The agreement announced by Goodyear Chairman Samir G. Gibara is the latest
in a series of moves by the companies regarding strengthening of their
relationship in manufacturing and marketing.
    In February, Goodyear and Sumitomo announced tire offtake agreements in
the U.S. and Japan.  In May, the companies announced they would test market
each other's products in the U.S.A., Mexico and Japan.
    Gibara said: "Both companies have excellent test track facilities around
the world; this agreement will allow us to use, at specific times, these
resources more effectively and avoid duplication of costs and efforts."
    Gibara added that the new agreement does not include any sharing of
technology resources.

SOURCE  The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company