100 Years of Innovation: Goodyear Aviation Introduces World's First Aluminum Core...

100 Years of Innovation: Goodyear Aviation Introduces World's First Aluminum
Core Bead for Aviation Tires

AKRON, Ohio, March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Now in its 100th year of developing
innovative products for the aviation industry, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber
Company's (NYSE: GT) Aviation business has done it again with the introduction
of the world's first aluminum core bead for use in aviation tires.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050204/GTLOGO )

The patented light weight alloy bead core using aluminum is a revolution in
weight savings. The traditional construction of the bead has a steel center
wrapped by strands of high tensile wire. Goodyear has found a way to replace
the steel core with aluminum. The result is a significant weight savings.

The first production tire with this innovation, H37.5x12.0R19, will be fitted
on the Gulfstream G650. The weight savings on this tire equates to three
pounds per tire.

"Goodyear introduced the first airplane tire in 1909, and since then, we have
continued to innovate in aviation tires," said Pierre Jambon, General Manager
of Goodyear's Global Aviation business. "The aluminum core bead is just the
latest 'first' from the company that has been a pioneer in the aviation
industry."

In 1909, Goodyear started its tradition of innovation by introducing the first
airplane tire. A century later, Goodyear is the world's largest supplier of
aviation tires for commercial, military and general aviation aircraft.
Goodyear manufactures aviation tires and retreads in the United States,
Thailand, Brazil, and The Netherlands. For more information on Goodyear
aviation tires, retreading and services, and to see the new 100th anniversary
logo, visit www.goodyearaviation.com.

SOURCE The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

Ed Markey of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, +1-330-796-8801,
emarkey@goodyear.com