GENEVA, Switzerland (March 2)—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 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 Goodyear 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," de Bok said at a news 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. Roney said Goodyear sold 1.3 million run-flat tires in 2004 and expects to sell more than 2 million in 2005