Goodyear: Global Tire Innovation, Brands, and Performance

These are the strengths engineers refine to build ties between a company’s products and the latest in technology and manufacturing progress.

About the company and its performance profile

Goodyear is among the world’s largest tire makers. With more than a century in operation, the company has supported the activities of 57 subsidiaries across 23 countries. It maintains two research and development centers dedicated to creating and testing new products and technologies.

Over the past five years, Goodyear tires have appeared in 208 independent tests, earning a “recommended” rating in over 80% of cases. In most rankings, their tires placed first, second, or third. Tests occurred at facilities in varying climates across the European Union, Central Europe, and South Africa.

Mass market brands and specialty products

Goodyear manufactures a broad spectrum of consumer tires under six distinct brands:

• Goodyear — develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes tires for passenger cars, SUVs, and specialty applications.
• Fulda — a highly regarded brand in Germany with a strong reputation for quality across Europe.
• Dunlop — a British tire maker for passenger cars, sports cars, and SUVs, blending motorsport heritage with cutting‑edge technology.
• Sava — a major Central European producer delivering quality products at accessible prices.
• Kelly tires — focuses on budget tires for SUVs and light trucks.
• Dębica — a leading Polish producer of passenger and commercial tires, including all‑steel for agricultural machinery.

Beyond passenger tires, Goodyear also manufactures aircraft tires, components for heavy trucks, racing tires, and motorcycle tires. The company serves professional racing categories and teams in NASCAR and NHRA events.

Innovation and technology at Goodyear

Different driving styles call for tailored tires. Quiet, comfortable rides appeal to everyday drivers, racers demand precise handling and strong grip, and commercial fleets prioritize sustainability. Goodyear designs tire lines to meet the needs of each category, integrating a range of technologies to suit diverse vehicle owners.

Technologies to enhance dry performance

On dry roads, grip is driven by rubber compound composition and tread design. The new Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 introduces Dry Stability Plus, an adaptive contact patch that responds to tire load changes while driving. During cornering and maneuvers, the contact area with the road grows, enhancing grip, sharpening steering, and improving braking in emergencies.

Earlier generations featured technologies such as Active Corner Handling and Active Braking for improved stopping performance, and SmartTred with zoned tread to adapt to road irregularities, boosting grip as well.

Technologies to improve wet performance

Wet-weather safety hinges on clearing excess moisture from the contact patch. The tread employs wide drainage grooves to evacuate water efficiently. The Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 advances this with Wet Brakes Pro, an extra top layer of a special compound divided into cross sections to maintain a tighter tire‑road contact on wet surfaces. In hard acceleration or braking, the contact patch remains stable, delivering reliable grip and predictable handling.

Winter tires incorporate patented technology to maximize grip on wet and snowy conditions. Slats arranged in a 3D pattern deform under load to provide rigidity while remaining open enough for tire stability on varied surfaces.

Technologies for comfort and energy efficiency

As the automotive landscape shifts toward electric vehicles, Goodyear flagship tires are developed with EV suitability in mind. The latest EV-focused technology contributes to quieter operation and more efficient energy use, extending range and reducing overall energy demand.

Another feature is a sound-damping system that lowers wheel noise, with an acoustic barrier designed to absorb air vibrations within the tire structure. Depending on vehicle type and road surface, tire noise can be reduced substantially, enhancing cabin comfort.

Goodyear continues to pursue innovations that extend beyond tires. Many advances originated in polymer science and rubber chemistry and have found applications in packaging, adhesives, and even medical devices such as artificial heart components.