Patterson pointed out how the company has continued to invest in its brands since the sale was consummated. That includes:
- Building the first replacement tires designed for electric vehicles (ElectricDrive GT and the Endurance RSA ULT);
- The expansion of the Mastercraft portfolio with the addition of two new lines; and
- Producing more sustainable commercial tires by replacing petroleum content with soybean oil.
- "In addition to developing leading products, we listened to your feedback and made great strides as a supplier," Patterson wrote. "While we still have work to do, we have improved our supply and inventory quality in an extremely volatile environment."
It remains unclear how Goodyear plans to position its new brands—Cooper, Mastercraft and Roadmaster among them—into the market with its Goodyear and Kelly brands.
Goodyear President and CEO Rich Kramer told analysts recently that Goodyear has begun offering Cooper- and Starfire-brand tires through its company-owned retail and commercial outlets as part of a plan to broaden the mix of products offered through those channels.
That means that Goodyear's TireHub L.L.C. joint venture with Bridgestone Americas has begun stocking Cooper-brand products at warehouses across the country. Previously, American Tire Distributors Inc. (ATD) had been Cooper Tire's primary distributor.
Patterson concluded his letter by telling dealers that Goodyear "deeply appreciates your loyalty and business.
"Together, we are positioned to become a stronger U.S. leader in the global tire industry, and I am confident that the best is yet to come."