GENEVA (March 1, 2005) — Goodyear is planning a major promotional push in Europe this year for its Goodyear- and Dunlop-brand run-flat tires, which it is rechristening “run-on-flat” tires.
According to Arthur De Bok, Goodyear's vice president consumer tires in Europe, the time has come for Goodyear to lead the tire industry by making consumers aware of this technology. He said the Akron-based tire maker has re-branded the Dunlop Self-Supporting Technology and Goodyear's Extended Mobility Tire as Run-On-Flat.
“We are planning a big spend on TV, print and radio advertising,” Mr. De Bok said at a press conference at the Geneva Motor Show.
Mike Roney, head of Goodyear Dunlop Europe, said Goodyear is the clear leader in the run-flat segment, with more than 55 percent of the market. Goodyear sold 1.3 million run-flat tires in 2004, Mr. Roney said, and expects to sell more than 2 million units in 2005.