Goodyear previews new retail and commercial products at dealer conference

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. revealed some of its new product plans at its 2003 Dealer Conference in Orlando, Fla.

Joe Gingo, senior vice president of technology and global products planning, previewed two projects on the drawing board:

* an H-rated, value-priced entry-level tire.

* a re-launch of the Wrangler image with a new on/off-road light truck tire. It will feature a puncture-resistant sidewall.

Ted Fick, vice president of commercial tire systems for Goodyear's North American Tire operations, introduced the G395 LHS linehaul steer tire. The five-rib tire, built by a new process at the company's Danville, Va., plant, has a pressure distribution groove that helps prevent premature wear and cupping.

Goodyear's new "two-piece assembly" OTR technology, which has been field-tested the last few years, will be offered to dealers for the first time mid-year, according to Tom Walker, general manager of global off-the-road tires. The first size available will be 45R57 RC-1A.