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Goodyear Comment on Change in Dow Jones Industrial Average

26 October 1999

Goodyear Comment on Change in Dow Jones Industrial Average

    AKRON, Ohio, Oct. 26 -- Attribute to Robert W. Tieken,
executive vice president and chief financial officer, The Goodyear Tire &
Rubber Company.
    "While we are disappointed in the decision of the Dow Jones editors, this
will not have any major change on Goodyear or on the fundamentals of our
business.  We intend to move forward from a position of strength as the
world's largest tiremaker and focus on profitable growth in the 21st century."
    "Today's changes in the Dow 30 illustrate a business climate that favors
the technology and service industries.  It is important, however, that
investors not ignore the manufacturing sector as it remains the key component
of the U.S. and global economies and a primary customer of these companies."
    "Goodyear's relationship as a global supplier of tires and rubber products
to the transportation, automotive, industrial, construction, mining and
agricultural industries is a bellwether for a massive segment of the economy."
    "We believe that Goodyear's inclusion in the Dow 30 for nearly 70 years
has provided investors with a window on a major segment of the manufacturing
base that drives the U.S. economy."
    "Of the 30 companies that made up the list when Goodyear joined on July
18, 1930, only five will remain with this change."