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For some time, it’s been all doom and gloom for tyre manufacturers. They’ve been beset on every side, with supply chain problems, raw material shortages, rising costs and more.
This miserable backdrop just highlights Goodyear’s remarkable reversal of fortune last year. The company finished 2023 $689 million in the red, but 2024 saw a return to profit. The American giant achieved $76 million in net income, with global sales of 43.6 million tyres.
How did they manage this? An excellent article by Tyre News sheds some light:
- Sales were up in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), especially replacement tyre sales (up by 2.7%)
- This region’s recovered from some previous problems, such as a fire in its facility in Poland.
- Sales were up 8.5% in North and South America.
- This is partly because Goodyear got some big OEM wins in the region – in other words, they won some contracts by vehicle manufacturers to fit Goodyear tyres as standard to new cars.
- In Asia Pacific, Goodyear sales were down but profit went up as the company reduced its less profitable business.
- In the same region, their OEM sales remained strong.
Some of these improvements were part of Goodyear’s transformation plan, catchily titled Goodyear Forward. Other components included selling off The Yokohama Rubber Company.
What’s more, it’s the Goodyear Blimp’s centenary
The Goodyear Blimp used to be a big deal, with massive worldwide recognition. It’s still well known in the USA, where it gets more outings, but maybe less so in Europe.
If you’ve never come across it, the Goodyear Blimp is an airship – or more accurately a name borne by several airships – that’s used to promote Goodyear brand awareness. In the past, it was also used to get aerial footage at sports events.
First launched in 1925, the blimps have reached sizes of up to 123 metres. Try looking down the street and estimating how long that is – it’s massive. More recently, they’ve been somewhere between 46 and 59 m, which is still pretty sizeable.
Since its early days, the blimp has been equipped with night signs to show twinkly messages.
Like all aircraft, the Goodyear Blimp has had its share of accidents. One of the most gobsmacking was a 2011 incident in Germany. After a fire on board, pilot Michael Nerandzi heroically manoeuvred the airship to just six feet above the ground, allowing the three passengers to jump to safety. But doing so meant that the airship rose suddenly, resulting in Nerandzi’s death.
To mark its centenary, this year the Goodyear Blimp will be visiting 100 cities across North America and Europe – though no signs of the latter on their schedule just yet.
Why buy Goodyear tyres in Oxfordshire?
Goodyear has endured as a company because it’s always been a quality manufacturer that makes some fantastic tyres.
At the time of writing, we stock 900 different offerings from Goodyear, covering a range of types and sizes – and all at competitive prices. They’re a great choice for your vehicle. If you’re in South Oxfordshire, we can fit them for you at work or at home. Ring or drop us a line soon.
The BK Tyres blog carries news, views and information on tyres and related subjects. BK Tyres supplies and fits tyres throughout South Oxfordshire, including the communities of Abingdon, Didcot and Henley on Thames. As an independent, family run mobile provider, we provide exceptional levels of service and affordable prices. Contact us today.