Goodyear has put a lot of energy and focus into mobility solutions, and the tire maker said it is seeing the fruits of that endeavor as tires for electric vehicles (EVs) and the last-mile delivery sector continue to show growth potential.
Mike Dwyer (MD), chief customer officer and general manager of consumer replacement, Goodyear North America, and Cary Budzinski (CB), senior director, commercial sales, Goodyear North America, told Tire Business that demand continues to increase for both consumer and commercial products, which bodes well for the industry.
How would you describe business thus far in 2021?
CB: The trucking industry is booming and the need to move goods is only increasing as the economy recovers. This is great news for both fleets and the tire industry — as their business grows, so will the demand for our tires. We expect to see this trend continue through the remainder of the year.
MD: We've seen faster-than-expected recovery in our consumer business as the world emerges from COVID-19. Vehicle miles traveled are up as consumers get back on the road, traveling longer distances and resuming their commutes. Key indicators point to continued industry growth throughout 2021.
What is the one thing you would like customers to know about how Goodyear has tackled the challenges brought about by the pandemic?
MD: Throughout the pandemic, our goal was to be a valued partner to our dealers and retailers. We recognized that it was a highly unpredictable and unusual year, and we wanted Goodyear to be a partner our customers could rely on to get through the tough times.
Now, as we emerge from the pandemic, we turn our attention back to our growth strategy, focused on high-value products, services and programs that benefit consumers, our customers and Goodyear alike.
CB: On the commercial side, the trucking industry was not as heavily impacted as other sectors since much of the supply chain needed to keep moving. During the pandemic, we kept our focus on supporting fleets and keeping trucks on the road.
We also adapted to new safety protocols across our commercial tire and service network to help ensure fleets had the tires and retreads they needed and drivers felt comfortable coming to us for service. Looking back, I'm proud of the way Goodyear reacted with agility in times of such uncertainty.