Operating income falls as Goodyear gains ground in key segment

AKRON (Sept. 24)—Goodyear's North American Tire division gained market share in consumer replacement tires as shipments outpaced the industry's 4-percent increase during August, according to the firm's monthly investor report. But the division's operating income fell from last year—principally because of higher raw material and energy costs. Shipments of commercial replacement tires fell more than the industry's decline of 10 percent and original equipment commercial tire shipment dropped 10.5 percent, about the same as the rest of the industry. For the month, shipments of consumer tires to original equipment manufacturers declined less than the industry's 11 percent. A Goodyear spokeswoman noted the company has been focusing on the consumer replacement tire segment and it's beginning to pay off.