Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Goodyear posts loss, laying off 5,000 workers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/18/goodyear-posts-loss-laying-off-5-000-workers/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/18/goodyear-posts-loss-laying-off-5-000-workers/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/18/goodyear-posts-loss-laying-off-5-000-workers/#commentsFiled under: ,

When car sales dip like they have over the past few months, in many cases suppliers feel the pinch even more than the automakers. That's the case at Goodyear, where production is down by 19% and losses are beginning to pile up. The tire giant lost $330 million in Q4 2008, compared to a $55M profit in Q4 2007.

To help adapt to challenging times, Goodyear is tasked with reducing its operating costs by $700 million in 2009, and part of that reduction will come from layoffs. 5,000 salaried and hourly workers will be laid off, or 6.7% of Goodyear's global workforce. The workforce reduction comes on the heels of the 4,000 jobs that were already slashed in 2008.

The automotive sales nosedive has accelerated over the past six to eight months, but Goodyear, like the domestic auto industry, has been cutting back for some time. The tire giant has reduced costs by $1.8 billion over the past three years through layoffs, production cuts, and plant closings. Goodyear plans to further cut production by 15,000 to 25,000 tires to better align production with demand.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Goodyear posts loss, laying off 5,000 workers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>goodyearlayoffsprouction cutsProuctionCutstiresWed, 18 Feb 2009 18:31:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Goodyear Polyglas - Because so much chauvinism is riding on your tires]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/15/video-goodyear-polyglas-because-so-much-chauvenism-is-riding/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/15/video-goodyear-polyglas-because-so-much-chauvenism-is-riding/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/15/video-goodyear-polyglas-because-so-much-chauvenism-is-riding/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above to jump to the 1970's video

Let's face it: Driving can be a scary ordeal. Particularly at night, in the city, with construction detours and spooky lights... when you're a Seventies housewife! At least, that's what Goodyear had to say in this commercial, aired during the first Monday Night Football game in 1970. What made sense nearly four decades ago is good for a laugh today, so make sure the missus is in the kitchen and that the boss lady ain't around before you hit the jump. Female readers may want to get a big ol' grain of salt ready, and remember: When a woman's at the wheel, Polyglas means more than mileage. Thanks for the tip, Robin!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Goodyear Polyglas - Because so much chauvinism is riding on your tires

VIDEO: Goodyear Polyglas - Because so much chauvinism is riding on your tires originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 Feb 2009 14:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chauvenistgoodyeargoodyear commercialgoodyear polyglasGoodyearCommercialGoodyearPolyglasmisogynistmonday night football commercialMondayNightFootballCommercialSun, 15 Feb 2009 14:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Above the Autoblog Garage: The Goodyear Blimp]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/31/above-the-autoblog-garage-the-goodyear-blimp/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/31/above-the-autoblog-garage-the-goodyear-blimp/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/31/above-the-autoblog-garage-the-goodyear-blimp/#commentsFiled under:


Click above for a high-res gallery.

With excursions in light aircraft, aerobatic planes, commercial jets, and helicopters already under our belt, we jumped on Goodyear's invite to take a flight in one of its three blimps stationed (or should we say tethered) in North America. The world's largest tire company has been flying blimps for more than 80 years. Used as a stable camera platform, or simply for advertising, the giant silver balloons have safely carried countless passengers over the decades. Follow the jump to read Autoblog's first review from the gondola of a lighter-than-air dirigible.

Gallery: Goodyear Blimp


All photos copyright Michael Harley / Weblogs Inc.

Continue reading Above the Autoblog Garage: The Goodyear Blimp

Above the Autoblog Garage: The Goodyear Blimp originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlimpdirigibledirigiblesflyingGoodyeargoodyear blimpgoodyear tiregoodyear tiresGoodyearBlimpgoodyeartireGoodyearTireshindenburgThu, 31 Jul 2008 20:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Look at those shoes: Goodyear picked for standard Flex fitment]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/26/look-at-those-shoes-goodyear-picked-for-standard-flex-fitment/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/26/look-at-those-shoes-goodyear-picked-for-standard-flex-fitment/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/26/look-at-those-shoes-goodyear-picked-for-standard-flex-fitment/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



They're not very glamorous, but tires make or break our driving enjoyment. Ford wants to soothe drivers of its new Family Truckster Flex, so Goodyear's Assurance ComforTred tires have been specified as the original fitment for the big crossover. The Assurance ComforTred uses a special cushion layer to smooth out road imperfections, the last thing anyone wants with a Flex loaded for bear with the kids, the dog, and a fully stocked refrigerator. The Flex is obviously designed to devour large stretches of interstate without a whimper, and Goodyear seems to think their ComforTred tires share the same appetite for asphalt, backing them with an 80,000 mile warranty and calling the Assurance Goodyear's very best tires. To make the Flex a success, the entire program needs to encompass multiple "very bests;" here's hoping. Press release after the jump

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Ford Flex


[Source: Goodyear]

Continue reading Look at those shoes: Goodyear picked for standard Flex fitment

Look at those shoes: Goodyear picked for standard Flex fitment originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ford flexford flex tireFordFlexFordFlexTiregoodyeargoodyear flexgoodyear fordgoodyear tireGoodyearFlexGoodyearFordGoodyearTireThu, 26 Jun 2008 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Goodyear responds to Tony Stewart tongue lashing]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/12/goodyear-responds-to-tony-stewarts-criticizing-remarks/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/12/goodyear-responds-to-tony-stewarts-criticizing-remarks/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/12/goodyear-responds-to-tony-stewarts-criticizing-remarks/#commentsFiled under:



Following this past weekend's NASCAR Sprint Cup second place finish, Tony Stewart was not a happy camper. When interviewed after the race, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver sounded off on his great dislike for the series tire sponsor, Goodyear. Many other competitors, from the likes of Dale Earnhart Jr. to Jeff Gordon, also made comments on the difficult tire/track combination experienced during the race, but the hot-headed number 20 was the only one to forgo any sugar coating. He hinted that the tire manufacturer's departure from other prominent race series was a move resulting from incompetency. He claimed, "They (Goodyear) don't have the technology and the people that are smart enough to build a tire. This was pathetic today." He also threw out a comment on how he no longer felt safe in anything equipped with Goodyear tires, including street use. When all was said and done, Mr. Stewart delivered the sponsor a severe verbal beating.

On Monday, Goodyear issued a reply to the heated commentary with a rather text book response. It contended that the company's exit from numerous race series was simply due to the high development costs necessary to compete, not technical inability as implied by Stewart. They also defended their choice of rubber compound by pointing out the lack of issues during numerous test events, along with the absence of complaints after the NASCAR Nationwide Series race. They even mentioned that despite driver grievances, in the eyes of Goodyear and NASCAR, the event was satisfactory. Although, as anyone that received a report card knows, satisfactory should not be the ultimate goal. Goodyear will get a second chance when the series returns to Atlanta in the fall. Hopefully Tony Stewart will have to eat his words once a more extensively tested tire compound is developed for the event.

[Source: Speed TV, Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty]

Goodyear responds to Tony Stewart tongue lashing originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Mar 2008 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Atlanta Motor SpeedwayAtlantaMotorSpeedwayGoodyearNASCARTony StewartTonyStewartWed, 12 Mar 2008 10:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Out of This World: Goodyear and NASA collaborate on airless tire]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/17/out-of-this-world-goodyear-and-nasa-collaborate-on-airless-tire/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/17/out-of-this-world-goodyear-and-nasa-collaborate-on-airless-tire/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/17/out-of-this-world-goodyear-and-nasa-collaborate-on-airless-tire/#commentsFiled under: ,

click above image for more views of the NASA Chariot rover

Any good article about space exploration starts with "when I was a kid...". So, when I was a kid, my older brother was working on his college thesis. He cooperated with NASA on designing various devices for use in space, the basic premise being that few of the things we take for granted here on Earth would work in a zero-gravity environment. Everything needed for use in space needs to be redesigned.

Recently Goodyear and NASA announced a collaboration in developing a special non-pneumatic tire to be used by vehicles on the Moon, and potentially, on Mars, in support of a 2004 presidential mandate to further exploration on the celestial bodies. This isn't the first time Goodyear has collaborated with NASA to develop special moon-tires, having spent over ten years developing a piano-wire-mesh tire for the Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle in the 1960s. However, the new Chariot vehicle (pictured above) is expected to support ten times more weight and travel 100 times longer than the Apollo, so Goodyear's Akron Technical Center and NASA's Glenn Research Center are developing a stronger version by testing and re-testing the Apollo's wheel and tire set-up to determine where they break down. Better here than out there, because as big a pain as it is to change a tire down here, imagine mounting a spare in space.

The researchers expect to demonstrate the Chariot, with its special tires, a year from now at the Johnson Space Center in Texas, after which, they say, the findings could be applied towards the development of new tires for use here on Earth.

[Source: Goodyear]

Gallery: NASA Chariot


Continue reading Out of This World: Goodyear and NASA collaborate on airless tire

Out of This World: Goodyear and NASA collaborate on airless tire originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apollochariotgoodyearLRVlunarmarsnasapneumaticrovertirevehicleMon, 17 Dec 2007 14:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Goodyear racing chief inducted into Hall of Fame]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/26/goodyear-racing-chief-inducted-into-hall-of-fame/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/26/goodyear-racing-chief-inducted-into-hall-of-fame/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/26/goodyear-racing-chief-inducted-into-hall-of-fame/#commentsFiled under: ,

American motor racing icon Leo Mehl has been inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, which finally honors Mehl with due recognition for his contribution to motor racing in America and around the world.

Leo Mehl is known primarily for his role as head of Goodyear's competition activities. He joined Goodyear way back in 1959 and was directly responsible for the rubber company's success in open-wheel racing. He became head of Goodyear's F1 program in 1967 and stayed in that job all the way through 1996, covering nearly 30 years. Towards the end of his tenure at Goodyear, he was placed in charge of all of the company's racing activities worldwide. After that he left the tire business to become Tony George's right-hand-man, assuming the roles of executive director of the newly-formed Indy Racing League and vice-president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Mehl's induction is into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, located in Novi, Michigan - not to be confused with the Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame (located in Comstock Park, Michigan) or the International Motorsports Hall of Fame (located in Talladega, Alabama).

Congrats, Leo!

[Source: GrandPrix.com]

Goodyear racing chief inducted into Hall of Fame originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Feb 2007 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>famegoodyearhallindianapolisinductedindyirlleomehlmichiganmotorsportsMon, 26 Feb 2007 19:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Dealership service doesn't seem so expensive anymore]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/08/dealership-service-doesnt-seem-so-expensive-anymore/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/08/dealership-service-doesnt-seem-so-expensive-anymore/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/08/dealership-service-doesnt-seem-so-expensive-anymore/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Poor guy. After wearing out the first set of Goodyear's on his beloved Elise (not hard to do. -Ed.), he figured where better to take it than a Goodyear dealer, right? Especially since his father-in-law had been the service manager there for 10+ years. What could possibly go wrong?

After reviewing the jacking procedures in the manual with the techs, they assured him the car was in good hands. He and his father-in-law left.

About an hour later, the owner got a phone call informing him that there had been an "accident" and he should come back to the store right away. The picture tells the rest.

Click the read link for the entire story in the owners words.

Thanks to Gil for the tip!

[Source: NASIOC.com]

Dealership service doesn't seem so expensive anymore originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Nov 2006 19:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>droppedEliseGoodyearLotusWed, 08 Nov 2006 19:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Update on Goodyear Tire strike]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/12/update-on-goodyear-tire-strike/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/12/update-on-goodyear-tire-strike/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/12/update-on-goodyear-tire-strike/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The latest news out of Detroit is that automakers might run into some tire shortages should the recent walkout by Goodyear workers continue for more than a few weeks. Adding to that problem was yesterday's news of an additional 300 hourly workers being laid off at a North Carolina plant, because of the strike. This plant was not one of those on strike, but they produce wire used in the manufacturing of tires at other affected plants. Goodyear plans to bring these workers back when the strikers return.

As we told you last week, 15,000 Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. union workers went on strike after their contract was terminated. The strike has affected 16 North American plants, but Chrysler and GM have both said they had stockpiled a supply in anticipation of the strike. Non-union plants and salaried workers are being used to maintain at least some production. GM has said that it has a 30-day supply of tires on hand, but to put that in perspective, they go through 8 million Goodyear tires every year. Every North American automaker currently uses Goodyear tires.

No new talks are scheduled in this ongoing saga. Goodyear had proposed contract changes that would make the tire manufacturer more competitive by lowering its costs, particularly the costs related to maintaining such a large workforce. Recent notable sore spots like health care and pension funding were at the top of the list of proposed cuts. Worker productivity was sighted in the contract proposals, and the union countered that substantial cuts were already made to wages and other worker's benefits in 2003, and that further reductions were just plain unacceptable. We'll keep you updated on who blinks first.

[Sources: Reuters, Automotive News]

Update on Goodyear Tire strike originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Oct 2006 08:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>goodyearlayoffsstrikeThu, 12 Oct 2006 08:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Drop that tire: Goodyear workers go on strike]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/06/drop-that-tire-goodyear-workers-go-on-strike/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/06/drop-that-tire-goodyear-workers-go-on-strike/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/06/drop-that-tire-goodyear-workers-go-on-strike/#commentsFiled under:

At 1 PM EST yesterday, the United Steelworkers union terminated its contract with Goodyear, causing 15,000 employees to walk off the job and subsequently shut down 16 plants in the U.S. and Canada. The strike came after negotiations between the two parties had stalled after several months of talks.

Goodyear's contract proposal aimed to make the tire manufacturer more competitive in the global marketplace by reducing the costs associated with maintaining a large workforce. Most of the proposed cuts were focused on health care and pension spending, with an emphasis on worker productivity.

The union cited that substantial cuts were made to wages and other worker's benefits in 2003, and that further reductions were unacceptable.

In the meantime, Goodyear has enacted a backup plan that will reduce the harmful effects of the strike on its customers.

[Source: CNN Money]

Drop that tire: Goodyear workers go on strike originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Oct 2006 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>goodyearstriketiretiresunionFri, 06 Oct 2006 08:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Goodyear launches the Spirit of Innovation]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/22/goodyear-launches-the-spirit-of-innovation/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/22/goodyear-launches-the-spirit-of-innovation/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/22/goodyear-launches-the-spirit-of-innovation/#commentsFiled under: ,



Goodyear's newest blimp, the Spirit of Innovation, was christened Wednesday at Goodyear's Wingfoot Lake Airship hangar in Akron, Ohio. The aircraft, which had undergone testing for the past year only under its Federal Aviation Administration moniker N2A, was named the Spirit of Innovation by Akron-area chemistry teacher Matthew Harrelson, who won Goodyear's "Name the Blimp" contest that ran in April. Despite the fact that it was the first time that a Goodyear Blimp had been named by the public, the company received 21,000 nominations for the judges to sift through.

Here are three names that didn't make the cut:
Girth of a Nation
Blimposaurus
The Blimpernator

A previous blimp, the Spirit of Goodyear (we think), is pictured.

[Source: Goodyear via Autochannel]

Goodyear launches the Spirit of Innovation originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Jun 2006 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blimpgoodyeargoodyear blimpGoodyearBlimpspirit of innovationSpiritOfInnovationtiresThu, 22 Jun 2006 18:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Goodyear Eagles take flight with carbon fiber]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/16/goodyear-eagles-to-take-flight-with-carbon-fiber/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/16/goodyear-eagles-to-take-flight-with-carbon-fiber/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/16/goodyear-eagles-to-take-flight-with-carbon-fiber/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Goodyear is adding carbon fiber to its latest generation of Eagle tires. Dubbed 'ResponsEdge Technology with Carbon Fiber,' the company's new shoes match a carbon fiber sidewall ring with a Kevlar overlay and an asymmetrical tread design. According to the company line, the exotic construction enables the tire to offer better ride and all-season capability for sport sedan owners seeking a performance edge.

H and V-rated tires are at tire stockists now, with Z-rated rubber expected later this fall.

[Sources: AutoWeek; media.rin.ru]

Goodyear Eagles take flight with carbon fiber originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 May 2006 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Carbon FiberCarbon FibreCarbonFiberCarbonFibreEagleGoodyearH-RatedKevlarRubberSidewallSport SedanSportSedanTireTyreV-RatedZ-RatedTue, 16 May 2006 14:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Michelin Tweel in motion]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/16/video-michelin-tweel-in-motion/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/16/video-michelin-tweel-in-motion/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/16/video-michelin-tweel-in-motion/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It's been well over a year since Michelin unveiled its take on the future of the tire, the airless Tweel. The odd-looking invention pairs a replaceable outer rubber layer with a central alloy hub joined by polyurethane ribs. Judging by this video, it would appear that the tire manufacturer is continuing to develop its concept, testing it on a variety of vehicles in a number of different environments. Click on the link to get a glimpse of what might just be in your automotive future.

[Sources: FreshCreation.nl; Michelin]

(Appreciate the tip, Martijn)

 

Video: Michelin Tweel in motion originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 May 2006 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alloy wheelAlloyWheelAvonCooper TireCooperTireDunlopFalkenFirestoneGoodyearKumhoMichelintiresTweeltyretyresYokohamaTue, 16 May 2006 12:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Goodyear blows out 1,500 jobs, shutters European plants]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/07/goodyear-blows-out-1-500-jobs-shutters-european-plants/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/07/goodyear-blows-out-1-500-jobs-shutters-european-plants/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/07/goodyear-blows-out-1-500-jobs-shutters-european-plants/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Goodyear Tire & Rubber has announced plans to slash 1,500 jobs in an effort to save $50 million dollars. The world's largest tire company will reach those goals in part by shuttering plants in Britain and Poland.

Part of its restructuring efforts that began last September, the manufacturer will jettison 585 employees at its UK Goodyear Dunlop facility in Washington, and a smaller outpost in Wolverhampton will shed around 40 employees, leaving about 450 workers.

Additionally, Goodyear's Debica, Poland plant will stop making bicycle tires and inner tubes, pink-slipping 360 employees.

The rubber giant says that it expects to incur charges of around $105-115 million USD in the process of exacting the changes.

[Sources: The Australian; Associated Press]

Goodyear blows out 1,500 jobs, shutters European plants originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Apr 2006 14:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AvonBicyclebridgestoneBritaincooperDebicaDunlopFalkenfirestoneGoodyearInner TubeInnerTubeKellyKumhoRubberTireTire RackTireRackTyreWolverhamptonFri, 07 Apr 2006 14:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Goodyear adds some (carbon) fiber to its diet]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/02/06/goodyear-adds-some-carbon-fiber-to-its-diet/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/02/06/goodyear-adds-some-carbon-fiber-to-its-diet/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/02/06/goodyear-adds-some-carbon-fiber-to-its-diet/#commentsFiled under: ,

Is there any application that wouldn't benefit from the addition of carbon fiber? You can strike tire technology from the list, as Goodyear has announced a new line of Eagle tires that features ResponsEdge Technology. The outboard sidewall of these new shoes are reinforced with a carbon fiber insert that improves stiffness for sharper handling.

Goodyear has also added a sound- and shock-absorbing layer, called InsuLayer in marketing speak, that's comprised of Kevlar. These new technologies create what Goodyear claims is a "performance tire with manners" and further contributes to the mass proliferation of our favorite exotic material.

Goodyear adds some (carbon) fiber to its diet originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Feb 2006 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>engadgetgoodyearperformance tirePerformanceTiretireMon, 06 Feb 2006 13:00:00 EST