Don Detore

Editor Don Detore's recent ride on the Goodyear blimp highlights new and old "non-traditional" marketing initiatives from tire makers.

The relighting of the Goodyear sign seemed to represent so much more: a reset, if not a new beginning of another chapter in the 125-year history of the tire maker.

The South Korea-based tire maker is making moves designed to meet one clear objective: Become a Top 5 global tire maker by 2030.

Goodyear used its iconic blimp to help celebrate the 125th anniversary of Frank Seiberling founding what today is North America's No. 1 brand and the only U.S.-based tire maker to be ranked in the Top 20 in global tire sales.

Nokian Tyres now employs more than 475 workers at its $360 million Dayton, Tenn., plant.

Apollo has signed an exclusive agreement with Canadian Tire Corp., making Vredestein-brand tires available at each of the more than 500 Canadian Tires stores.

In the nine months or so since Sailun Tire Americas (STA) debuted its ERange EV tire portfolio, sales have exceeded expectations, according to Ron Dolan, president of the North American subsidiary of China's Sailun Group Co. Ltd.

The Latin American & Caribbean Tyre and Latin Auto Parts Expo are being held concurrently in Panama City for the first time since the onset of the pandemic.

Sailun Tire Americas President Ron Dolan said he believes Mavis Tire Express' industry-rattling transaction of TBC's retail stores good for both business entities.

Pirelli Tire North America unveiled its latest passenger tire, the P Zero AS Plus 3, an ultra-high performance all-season tires designed specifically for premium vehicles.

For those of you too young to remember (or old enough to forget), Goldsmith launched a takeover attempt of Goodyear in the fall of 1986. We are reminded of that tumultuous industry event today, nearly 37 years later.

Nexen Tire Corp. expects to finalize a location for a U.S. plant by the second half of this year.

A shareholder's group is calling on Goodyear to take steps, including divesting retail stores, to "reverse a period of negative performance" and hopefully restore value to the company's stock.

Goodyear has targeted the beginning of June for its tornado-ravaged Cooper Tire plant in Tupelo to resume production.

Goodyear said it intends to begin releasing inventory from its Cooper Tire plant in Tupelo, though production still is idled two weeks after a tornado hit the area.