For the 2026 season, Goodyear will introduce a new truck racing tire incorporating 60% sustainable materials¹, up from 55% in the previous season. This reflects Goodyear’s ongoing commitment with the FIA to improve tire sustainability year after year in top‑level truck racing. Based on Goodyear’s internal sustainability classification framework, a tire incorporating 60% or more sustainable materials is assigned a two-leaf rating (with one leaf assigned to tires below this threshold).

In addition to this technical development, Goodyear will introduce the Wingfoot Award in the Goodyear FIA ETRC. One Wingfoot Award will be presented at each race event during the 2026 season. The award will recognize a driver selected by fans. The Wingfoot Award is designed to further engage fans throughout the season while highlighting performances and moments that reflect the values of the championship.

FIA Truck Racing Commission President Ignacio Fernandez said: “We are delighted to be working so closely with Goodyear, not only as a valued title partner and supplier, but as an organization with sustainability at its heart. To be able to count on a tire that incorporates 60 percent sustainable materials and has been designed to meet the requirement of a single tire type, able to perform consistently across a wide range of circuits and weather conditions, and one with improved durability to reduce tire use without performance being compromised, is very significant for the Goodyear FIA ETRC and motor sport as a whole.”

“Truck racing continues to be an important development platform for Goodyear,” said Xavier Fraipont, Vice President, Global Racing, at Goodyear. “The Goodyear FIA ETRC’s learnings are translated from competition into tire technologies that support greater efficiency and sustainability for commercial truck fleets operating on the road every day.”

Goodyear has been involved in European truck racing for more than two decades and has served as title sponsor of the Goodyear FIA ETRC since 2022.

Sustainability efforts within the Goodyear FIA ETRC also include the retreading of race‑used tires, which are processed in Goodyear factories in Europe and reintroduced into commercial service, supporting a circular use of resources from the racetrack to the road.

The Goodyear FIA ETRC 2026 season gets underway at Misano, Italy, on May 30–31.

[1] Goodyear defines sustainable material as a bio-based (defined as material of biological origin (Source: ISO 14021)); renewable; or recycled (defined as material that has been reprocessed from recovered [reclaimed] material (Source: ISO 14021)) material; or one produced using or contributing to other practices designed to promote resource conservation and/or emissions reductions, including ISCC PLUS mass-balance (defined as a certification verifying our capability to track the amount and sustainability characteristics of circular and/or bio-based material in the value chain and attribute it based on verifiable bookkeeping (Source: www.iscc-system.org/certification/chain-of-custody/mass-balance/)) material.

The rollout positions France as pilot and innovation hub, Spain as E-Job digital pioneer, and Italy as high-volume operations scale model.

Following the recent announcement of the contract extension between TIP Group and Goodyear, TIP continues to trust Goodyear for the supply of its trailer and truck tires, as well as related services. The goal remains to ensure maximum fleet availability, optimize tire performance, and minimize unexpected breakdowns, while reducing its carbon footprint.

In South Europe, The Goodyear solutions, deployed by TIP with a dual objective of economic and environmental performance, have enabled the company to increase by 50% its retreading rate and reduce tire-related CO₂ emissions by 15% over the past three years[1].

The South Europe deployment leverages each country's strategic strengths to drive regional excellence. France, the pilot country, used its diversified fleet and systematic data analysis to establish best practices for Spain and Italy. Spain achieved significant CO₂ emissions reduction while serving as the E-Job digital pilot for the entire region. Italy, with its high-volume vehicle and refurbishment requirements, benefits from a solution specifically tailored to ensure scalable and efficient operations.

Major Operational and Environmental Challenges

With a diversified owned fleet of nearly 12,000 vehicles in the region—semi-trailers, tankers, electric vehicles, and vehicles dedicated to environmental and sanitation markets—plus 3,300 vehicles under management contracts, TIP faced critical challenges: the impact of inflation on the tire budget, insufficient retreading rates relative to its objectives, non-homogeneous tire stocks across the Goodyear service provider network, tracking discrepancies between countries, and the need for continuous improvement to reduce the number of incidents impacting safety, reliability and operational efficiency. TIP’s objectives were clear: optimize tire management to simultaneously control costs, carbon impact, and the fleet’s environmental footprint, while ensuring vehicle safety and availability.

A Co-Created Solution Adapted to Each Market

Initiated in 2006, the project was co-constructed by TIP and Goodyear and has continuously evolved to deliver an optimized experience to TIP’s customers. Both partners jointly defined their roadmap, indicators, and objectives to establish a common, measurable framework adapted to each of the three countries.

The Goodyear solution is built on three pillars:

• Goodyear new premium tires and optimization of retreaded tires stock near operational areas to ensure better availability and reduce carbon footprint

• A shared IT interface between both companies enabling transparent, real-time performance tracking

• Continuous technical and operational support to optimize tire management throughout its lifecycle

Identifying best practices from each country made it possible to define a shared objective of performance improvement and environmental impact reduction.

Tangible and Measurable Results

This approach delivered compelling results. The retreading rate has multiplied by 1.5 between 2023 and 2025 across the region, accompanied by an optimization of the tire budget. From an environmental perspective, TIP has reduced its CO₂ emissions by 15% through improved retreading rates, service quality, and stock optimization. Finally, a 14% decrease in incidents was recorded across the region, accompanied by an improvement of operational efficiency and safety.

Taken together, these results support TIP Group’s broader ESG ambitions, fostering more sustainable fleet management while preserving operational efficiency and the value delivered to customers, as evidenced by the very positive feedback received by TIP teams.

Daniel GASPAR, Maintenance Leader South Europe Region TIP GROUP states: "Our partnership with Goodyear perfectly illustrates our commitment to sustainable performance. By combining operational excellence and environmental responsibility, we demonstrate that it is possible to reduce our costs while decreasing our carbon footprint, with no compromise on road user’s safety. This solid collaboration, based on trust and mutual listening, enables us to offer our customers superior service quality while respecting our CSR commitments and the specificities of each country."

Stefano Sgambati, Head of Fleet Mobility Sales Europe South Goodyear Commercial adds: "This strengthened partnership with TIP Group demonstrates the value of our customer-centric approach and our commitment to sustainable mobility. By working hand in hand with TIP teams, we have developed a tailored solution that addresses their operational challenges while significantly contributing to their environmental objectives. The results obtained prove that economic performance and environmental responsibility go hand in hand."

[1] Internal data from TIP Group internal documentation and analysis.

Over the past two decades, Goodyear and TIP Group have worked side by side to support demanding fleet operations across Europe. Goodyear has consistently supplied reliable, high-performance tire solutions from its leading commercial ranges, tailored to the operational requirements of TIP’s fleets and the evolving expectations of its customers. 

As market conditions and regulatory requirements continue to change, sustainability has become an increasingly important focus of the partnership. Through the introduction of Goodyear’s latest generation of commercial truck tires, including the new KMAX GEN-3 range, TIP Group can offer its customers tires made with at least 40% sustainable materials¹- all while maintaining the durability fleets rely on, combined with B-label rolling resistance to support improved fuel efficiency².  

Beyond tire supply, the partnership also includes the provision of services across Europe through more than 2,000 Goodyear TruckForce Network locations, to help TIP Group minimize unplanned breakdowns, optimize tire performance and keep vehicles on the road which is a critical factor for transport operators.  

Together, these elements contribute to TIP Group’s broader ESG ambitions, supporting more sustainable fleet operations without compromising operational efficiency or customer value. 

At the same time, TIP Group continues to actively respond to market challenges by modernising its fleet and service offering. The company has been investing in sustainable fleet solutions, advanced telematics and refurbishment capabilities, helping customers extend asset life, improve compliance and reduce their overall environmental footprint. In this context, Goodyear’s retreading solutions help extend tire life cycles, reducing waste and supporting a more efficient use of resources, while also helping to manage costs³. 

“This partnership is built on trust, long-term thinking and a deep understanding of the transport fleet market” said Piotr Czyżyk, Vice President Commercial Sales EMEA at Goodyear. “For 20 years, we have worked closely with TIP Group to deliver reliable products, innovative fleet solutions and retreading services that help keep their customers moving. Extending our agreement for another five years reflects our shared commitment to performance, efficiency and sustainability - and to continuously evolving together as market expectations change.” 

“Our collaboration with Goodyear is a strong example of how strategic partnerships can create real value for fleet operators,” said Paul Beadle, COO at TIP Group. “Managing more than 90,000 trucks, trailers and specialised assets across Europe means reliability is critical, which is why we value long-term partners like Goodyear. By combining high-performance tires and mobility solutions with our operational experience, we deliver more efficient and more sustainable fleet solutions – and ultimately more value for our customers.”  

As long-term partners and industry leaders, Goodyear and TIP Group work closely together, listening to each other and turning their combined expertise into solutions that keep transport operations running smoothly and delivering real value for end customers. 

1. Goodyear defines a sustainable material as bio-based (originating from biological sources); renewable (composed of replenishable biomass); or recycled (reprocessed from reclaimed materials) material as defined in ISO 14021; or one produced using or contributing to other practices designed to promote resource conservation and/or emissions reductions.

2. In comparison to predecessor, based on internal Goodyear data, https://www.goodyear.eu/en_gb/truck/knowledge-centre/kmax-gen-3.html

3. https://www.goodyear.eu/en_gb/truck/retreading-regrooving.html

Goodyear’s tires-as-a-service offering combines premium truck tires, predictive analytics, and its expansive service network into one comprehensive, worry-free subscription. This model helps reduce total cost of ownership, increase uptime, and minimize emergency breakdowns—important for Veolia’s waste management fleet.

Thanks to Goodyear’s Tires-as-a-Service, Veolia also benefits from advanced technology that automatically measures tread depth, enabling timely tire maintenance and helping to improve safety and performance. In addition, automated mileage collection through the TaaS model reduces manual administrative work, further simplifying Veolia’s fleet operations.

In 2024, a pilot test was conducted at a Veolia Group site operating nearly 50 trucks to evaluate the impact of the Tires-as-a-Service solution. The results demonstrated clear benefits across all components of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). The solution allowed 94% of tires consistently maintained at the optimal pressure, generating significant fuel consumption improvement and 91% reduction of the breakdowns, optimizing the vehicle availability. Overall, the test vehicles achieved a 5.1% reduction in TCO. Based on these results, the solution is now being rolled out across all Veolia Group sites, promising a substantial return on investment at scale.

“Goodyear’s Tires-as-a-Service model will support us with proactive and efficient approach to fleet management. By outsourcing tire services to a trusted partner, we aim not only for reducing operational disruptions and costs but also supporting our broader goals around service efficiency,” said Vincent Caracostea Balan, Category Manager Waste Collection Solutions, Veolia France.

“We’ve been able to demonstrate the strong value of our Tires-as-a-Service solution during the pilot. This extended collaboration strengthens our commitment to helping customers like Veolia reduce unplanned downtime, lower costs, and focus on their core operations,” said  Piotr Czyzyk, Vice President Sales Commercial EMEA, Goodyear.

In addition, part of Veolia’s fleet in France will be equipped with the new Goodyear KMAX GEN-3 range, which delivers proven mileage performance with improved traction and up to 13% lower rolling resistance compared to its predecessor[1]. Designed with at least 40% sustainable materials[2] and ready for both conventional and electric vehicles, the KMAX GEN-3 lineup further supports Veolia’s goals of efficiency, safety, and more sustainable fleet operations.
 

[1] In comparison to predecessor, based on internal Goodyear data

[2] Goodyear defines a sustainable material as bio-based (originating from biological sources); renewable (composed of replenishable biomass); or recycled (reprocessed from reclaimed materials) material as defined in ISO 14021; or one produced using or contributing to other practices designed to promote resource conservation and/or emissions reductions.

When the final stage of the Dakar was completed on Sunday, 15 January, Boss Machinery Team De Rooy IVECO driver Janus Van Kasteren was crowned the 2023 champion, finishing over 1 hour, 14 minutes clear of his closest rival. Teammates Martin and Mitchel Van Den Brink finished third and fourth in other De Rooy-run trucks. 

While the rock, sand and mud surface of the Dakar, coupled with its steep inclines and descents, are a far cry from the challenges faced every day by Europe’s haulage operators, Goodyear employs the same approach to what is arguably motorsport’s toughest event. Tires require a design to meet the demands of the conditions in order to extract maximum efficiency, reliability and performance. 

To prepare for this year’s Dakar, Goodyear’s engineers worked side-by-side with Team De Rooy in the team’s test in Morocco three months ago. The test included a simulated version of Dakar, using the Sahara desert to replicate typical features of the Saudi Arabian landscape. The test served to evaluate the Goodyear OFFROAD tires, which feature a dedicated off-road compound, deep non-skid tread and improved resistance to cuts, making them an ideal choice for the unpredictable Dakar conditions. 

The five days in Morocco also served another purpose; to trial a new Tire Pressure Monitoring System. This on-board technology features a sensor placed within the tire to alert the driver of anomalies in tire pressure through a display mounted on the truck’s dashboard. On rocky terrain and tough desert surfaces, advance warning regarding tire temperature and pressure can save teams valuable time in rectification. 

Back on the roads of Europe, identical technology helps saving time, increases efficiency and improves the safety of fleet operations. For example, the Goodyear TPMS technology streamlines the process of checking tire health, cutting the number of hours a fleet spends on routine checks. An underinflation warning could also prevent a tire causing further damage or negatively affect fuel efficiency.

Maciej Szymański, Marketing Director Commercial Europe, Goodyear: “Congratulations to Team De Rooy for winning what is arguably one of the motorsport’s toughest challenges. We have supported them with tires and tire management solutions several times before, but this year we are particularly proud of introducing TPMS to their four IVECO trucks. Combining our reliable tires with tire management solutions was once again driving results - this time for Team De Rooy in the Dakar Rally.”

Gerard De Rooy, team owner, Team De Rooy: "Once again, Goodyear OFFROAD tires supported our team in achieving the best possible results in extremely difficult and unpredictable conditions. This year we were able not only to provide great durability and traction, but also to monitor the tire pressure on an ongoing basis thanks to the installed TPMS from Goodyear. This made it easier for us to adapt our strategy to the road conditions and performance of the tires. It also helped us keep track of our tire temperature and pressure levels and react quickly and in real time to any challenges that could result in extended downtime."

As the only point of contact between the truck and the varied surfaces of the Saudi desert, choosing the right tires is a crucial part of a team’s preparation. As such, Team De Rooy chose Goodyear OFFROAD tires for the challenge, and Goodyear’s engineers worked closely with the team through the pre-event preparation in order to make sure they were ready for any eventuality. 

Janus Van Kasteren finished over 1 hour, 14 minutes ahead of his closest rival at the end of the rally, driving the No. 502 Boss Machinery Team De Rooy IVECO, supported by Darek Rodewald and Marcel Snijders. His teammates Martin and Mitchel Van Den Brink finished third and fourth, respectively. 

It marks another successful Dakar for Goodyear in the Truck category, after finishing first, second and third in last year’s event with another team. The Goodyear OFFROAD tires that have proven so successful in these tough conditions over recent years are the same specification as those available for fleet operators across Europe. It is particularly designed for low heat generation and high speeds.

Maciej Szymański, Marketing Director Commercial Europe, Goodyear: “Congratulations to Team De Rooy for winning what is arguably one of the motorsport’s toughest challenges. We are proud that our tires together with an advanced tire pressure and temperature monitoring system were important and reliable enablers that helped to drive results and to win this legendary rally. The Goodyear OFFROAD tires are capable of tackling all terrains even under high speed and in difficult conditions, so another victory in the Dakar once again underlines this capability.”

Supporting Team De Rooy at the 2023 Dakar Rally is another example of Goodyear's commitment to truck motorsport. In 2022, the company extended its long-standing partnership and became the official title sponsor of the top truck racing class - Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship (ETRC).

Goodyear is a partner of Team De Rooy Iveco, providing them with tires and tire management solutions for every stage. 

Tires are important part of teams’ preparation for the Dakar. They are the only contact point between vehicles and the ever-changing surface of sand and rocks, as well as steep inclines and descents. Competition regulations stipulate teams to use standard tire types that are readily available for sale, so leading Dutch team De Rooy has once again chosen Goodyear Offroad tires. This design features a dedicated off-road compound, deep non-skid tread and improved resistance to cuts; all of which is ready to support the driver facing various roads. 

Team De Rooy has four Iveco PowerStar trucks ready to take on the Dakar with Goodyear. Janus van Kasteren and Victor Versteijnen will pilot the two Boss Machinery trucks, carrying numbers #502 and #504, respectively, while the pair of Eurol-sponsored Ivecos will be raced by Martin van den Brink (#506) and Mitchel van den Brink (#511). 

Supporting Team De Rooy in the Dakar is an important part of the development cycle for new Goodyear commercial tires and solutions. Alongside the experience gained from being the exclusive tire supplier and title partner to the Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship, this exposure to high-stakes racing complements the work carried out on the road, the test track and the laboratory. Goodyear uses information gathered from all these different arenas to develop new tread and carcass technologies that go into the products available for fleets across Europe. The result is an offering with efficiency, sustainability and competitiveness at its core. 

Last weekend, Goodyear continued its partnership with DAF to supply tyres for the coveted DAF Driver Challenge 2022. The competition, which is held annually and spans across Europe to find the most skilful truck drivers, took place at Goodyear’s proving ground in Luxembourg on 1st and 2nd October. Over 1000 contestants from 18 countries took part in regional trials, with 15 drivers invited to compete in the finals. 

Goodyear was the exclusive supplier and partner of the event, which saw Gábor Szabados from Hungary eventually crowned the winner. On their way to being named Europe’s most skilful truck driver, they faced various challenges ranging from coupling a trailer and reversing to eco-driving and daily checks such as tyre health monitoring.

Goodyear’s proving ground hosted the two-day event, which today is used for testing passenger and truck tyres to deliver the highest levels of performance and efficiency. Finalists participated in seven different technical and handling workshops on the Goodyear track, getting a feel of the types of tests tyres are subject to while in development. 

Maciej Szymański, Director of Marketing for Commercial Business Europe at Goodyear commented: “It is an honour for Goodyear to partner with such a prestigious competition which aligns with our values of always striving to deliver the best results. We are particularly proud of our partnership with DAF, which is committed to increasing its sustainability initiatives without compromising performance. On behalf of Goodyear, I would like to congratulate every driver who took part in the DAF Driver Challenge 2022 and Gábor Szabados for being named “DAF Driver Challenge Champion 2022”.

The return of Bauma, the world’s leading trade fair for construction and mining equipment, provides Goodyear with an opportunity to demonstrate the role tyres and tyre management solutions play in helping the industry achieve efficiency and sustainability targets.  

Goodyear will have a prominent stand at the global show, taking place in Munich from 24–30 October. The 72m², two-story Goodyear stand will showcase a combination of Goodyear’s latest tyre and solutions technologies which, when combined, can help operators drive efficiency across their fleets. 

Trusted Products - simplifying choice to boost efficiency

The Goodyear GP-3E for wheel loaders, articulated dump trucks and graders will make its European exhibition debut at Bauma 2022. After listening to customer feedback on the challenges of high costs and the importance of driver comfort levels, the GP-3E features an innovative lightweight tyre design. The key benefits are an optimised cost per hour supporting sustainability goals as well as low vibration levels supporting a high level of comfort for the driver. This versatile product is suitable for a variety of applications with well-balanced traction and flotation levels.

Another new tyre on show is the Goodyear Powerload®. Designed for compact wheel loaders and graders, Powerload is the compact tyre that likes it tough. Smooth Guard Technology™, an extra thick and smooth rubber layer protection in the shoulder area and sidewall, improves cut resistance. The advanced, self-cleaning tread design provides superb forward and lateral traction for continued operation in tough conditions.   

Both GP-3E and Powerload are Electric Drive Ready. This means they can be used on electric and hybrid powertrains, as well as conventional diesel machines. 

Tyre Management Solutions - driving operational excellence

Goodyear has long led developments in Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) technology.  At Bauma, Goodyear will showcase its enhanced ‘TPMS Heavy Duty’ which communicates through the Goodyear FleetHub (mobile + web app) or Goodyear DriverHub (mobile app), giving drivers and fleet managers predictive and prescriptive information to allow proactive and preventive maintenance of their fleets.

Octavian Velcan, Managing Director Goodyear Off-The-Road EMEA for Goodyear: “Bauma is the perfect platform for Goodyear to demonstrate how combining tyres and tyre management solutions together with reliable services can drive safety and reduce costs. Our latest tyre innovations and fully integrated TPMS support optimised uptime and efficiencies for our customers. We are looking forward to productive discussions on how we can help operators flourish during a very competitive period for the industry.”  

The Goodyear stand will be located in Hall A6, stand 224.

Goodyear has a long history of winning at Le Mans, with 14 overall victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, arguably the world’s most prestigious car race, dating back to 1965. In the world of truck racing, the spirit of the ‘24 Heures’ lives on with the Goodyear FIA ETRC round on 24-25 September. Over the Saturday and Sunday, Goodyear FIA ETRC teams will contest four races of 11 laps each, racing flat out on the Le Mans Bugatti circuit. In the race for the championship, Norbert Kiss could be crowned Goodyear FIA ETRC champion for a fourth time this weekend.

As the title partner to the pinnacle of European truck racing, Goodyear supplies tyres and support to every team on the grid, but the partnership goes much further than that. Goodyear, the FIA, and championship organiser ETRA work together to further their respective sustainability goals, making Goodyear FIA ETRC a true showcase for a responsible future of transportation. 

Goodyear uses technology derived from racing, such as stronger carcass technology, in the development of its products for the road. The pursuit of ultimate durability and versality on the track helps teams to shave valuable seconds off their lap time and fight for the victory, and this same approach is true of fleet operators across Europe who demand reliable performance and support. Racing is the most extreme arena for Goodyear to continue developing this technology and approach. 

Furthermore, Goodyear has also now introduced retreading into the lifecycle of racing tyres used in Goodyear FIA ETRC. This means that tyres used in the Goodyear FIA ETRC are retreaded into standard on road Goodyear tyres that can be used by transportation fleets.

The championship is paving the way in other areas, too. In 2020, FIA ETRC identified sustainability as one of its three strategic pillars, with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2038. A year later, it became the first FIA-regulated championship to switch to 100 percent sustainable fuel. Its use of biodiesel cements its role as being a role model for the road haulage industry as a whole.

During the Le Mans race weekend, Goodyear will showcase its Drive Results Tour truck that has been touring Europe and visiting Goodyear FIA ETRC races throughout the summer. The Drive Results Tour showcases Goodyear’s Total Mobility value proposition that provides European fleets with an end-to-end solution that helps them to improve their efficiency and competitiveness while cutting their environmental impact. When visiting the roadshow truck at events like Le Mans, visitors can receive a tailored experience that guides them through steps they can take to improve their own fleet. 

Maciej Szymanski, Marketing Director Commercial Europe, Goodyear: “Goodyear FIA ETRC is the pinnacle of European truck racing and Goodyear is proud to work with the FIA and ETRA to use it as a platform for showing what the future of the industry can look like. We develop technologies on the racetrack that go into road applications, while also using forward-thinking approaches to make Goodyear FIA ETRC a true role model for responsible transportation.”

The 63% sustainable-material demonstration truck tire includes 15 featured ingredients across 20 tire components, including those described below. This demonstration tire is labelled “A” in fuel efficiency meaning it can offer the same fuel saving as the most efficient Goodyear truck tires currently offered. 

• Carbon black is included in tires for compound reinforcement and to help increase their tread life and has traditionally been made by burning various types of petroleum or coal tar-based products. This demonstration tire features four different carbon blacks that are produced from plant-based oil, end-of-life tire pyrolysis oil, carbon dioxide capture and conversion and a low-carbon methane pyrolysis process.
• Some of the petroleum-based oils in this demonstration tire were replaced by the use of rapeseed oil. Rapeseed oil is a bio-based resource that helps keep a tire's rubber compound pliable in changing temperatures. The use of bio-based rapeseed oil is in line with the company's goal of fully replacing petroleum-derived oils in its products by 2040.
• Silica is an ingredient often used in tires to help improve grip and reduce fuel consumption. This demonstration tire contains a unique variety of silica produced from rice husk ash, a byproduct of rice processing that is often discarded and put into landfills. A high-quality silica has been produced from this waste ash.
• Polyester is recycled from plastic bottles and other plastic waste by reverting the polyester into its base chemicals and reforming them into technical grade polyester feasible for tire cords, which enables better retreadability.

In the future, this demonstration tire can be connected and monitor a variety of tire health parameters. This has the potential to reduce waste and increase efficiency by maintaining ideal pressure and tire condition. Monitoring the health of the tire is an important factor in determining whether or when a tire can be renewed, thus potentially contributing to circularity and increasing efficiency. 

This demonstration truck tire is in line with the company's commitment to increase the use of sustainable materials. Additionally, a tire made of sustainable materials, providing low rolling resistance and being fully retreadable, with the possibility of connecting to tire health monitoring with the Goodyear Total Mobility solution, has the potential to positively affect circularity and climate impact. Goodyear Total Mobility is an end-to-end fleet offering that brings together its full range of premium commercial truck tires, its suite of data-driven monitoring and predictive analytics solutions, and more than 2,000 service locations across Europe. 

Grégory Boucharlat, Vice President Commercial Europe: “Development of our integrated offering of products and mobility solutions under the Goodyear Total Mobility umbrella can further support our customers in the demanding transport market and help them in achieving their own sustainability goals. Goodyear is committed to the development of products and solutions that help support the ambitions and aspirations of our business partners to be more competitive, more efficient and more sustainable.”

The direction of developing the Goodyear Total Mobility solution is consistent with the expectations and challenges faced by the transport industry in Europe. The recent Sustainable Reality Survey, conducted with the participation of over 1,400 representatives of the transport industry, confirms that achieving sustainable development goals is an important objective of the transport fleet business. Goodyear Total Mobility and the concept of creating a truck tire made from sustainable materials should support transport companies in achieving that objective in the coming years.

* The 63% sustainable-material truck tire presented at IAA Transportation has been produced as a demonstration tire. 

During IAA Transportation, the company will also reveal its concept for a new element that complements the Goodyear Total Mobility solution.

IAA Transportation, a leading international platform for commercial vehicles, transportation, logistics, and buses, provides Goodyear the opportunity to share its long-term experience in offering efficient mobility solutions to transport and logistics operators. These include the latest developments in Goodyear’s Total Mobility solution, which help support fleets to reach their own sustainability goals, optimize efficiency and reduce costs. 

Providing efficient and sustainable products and solutions for commercial fleets

Goodyear Total Mobility offers fleets fully integrated end-to-end solutions to  increase competitiveness and optimize efficiency in everyday operations. These tools include Goodyear’s FleetHub app, which comprises a high-performance tire pressure monitoring system (Goodyear TPMS), automated pressure and tread depth checks through Goodyear CheckPoint and the Goodyear DrivePoint inspection system. 

These Goodyear solutions support the same goal: reducing downtime and the chance of human error in order to boost the efficiency of fleets in an ever-more demanding market. Combining these solutions with the latest generation of tires, like the efficient and versatile Goodyear Fuelmax Endurance range may further help Goodyear customers reduce fuel costs and meet CO₂ emissions targets.

Goodyear will showcase these solutions at IAA Transportation, and its stand will give visitors the opportunity to learn about the benefits open to fleets to improve their efficiency. Through interactive elements using, among others augmented reality, everyone who visits the Goodyear stand will experience the 360-degree support that the company offers its partners through products and mobility solutions under Goodyear Total Mobility.

Grégory Boucharlat, Vice President Commercial Europe: “Goodyear has extensive experience in optimizing costs of commercial fleets and providing an integrated offer of products and solutions. It is clear that these factors are continuously important to transport companies across Europe, as seen in our recent Sustainability Reality Survey. More than 1,300 representatives of the transport industry from all over Europe once again confirmed that sustainability is one of the key focus area for their business. With our Goodyear Total Mobility value proposition we can support our partners in helping them to achieve their sustainability goals.”

Maciej Szymański, Director Marketing Commercial Europe: “We are excited to exhibit at IAA Transportation, showing visitors how Goodyear’s end-to-end solutions can support commercial fleets in improving their efficiency, strengthening competitiveness and helping meeting sustainability goals. Our central location at the show gives us a prime position to express this message and reflects the role of our tires and solutions at the heart of the mobility ecosystem of transport fleets.”

The Goodyear stand will be located in Exhibition Hall H21, Stand A70.

Goodyear is pleased to announce the winners of the TruckForce Service Awards for the second quarter of 2022. The award recognises outstanding service among TruckForce partners with operations in Europe.

This quarter, winners were selected from a strong list of nominations. Eligible criteria include demonstrating excellent customer and client support while successfully utilising Goodyear’s ecosystem of TruckForce. Below is the list of winners for Q2 2022.

DEPANN FIRST is a French TruckForce and VULCO partner which has been given a Service Award for achieving an impressive 92% acceptance rate on Goodyear ServiceLine24 jobs in 2021, and 100% for Q1 of 2022. ServiceLine24 is Goodyear’s truck roadside assistance service supported by over 6,500 partners. Depann first’s workforce is known for its positivity and proactivity, providing customers with a high-quality service.

REIFEN BRAUN is part of the HMI network in Germany. This quarter, it is recognised as a top breakdown service, accepting every callout. During the quarter, the centre was called to a stranded vehicle 400 km away in France. Reifen Braun accepted the callout when others could not. This is just one example of this partner going above and beyond for its customers.

The next award is given to SKULSKI SERWIS, a Polish TruckForce Partner. It has been selected for its active involvement in Goodyear FleetOnlineSolutions (FOS) and Goodyear ServiceLine24. It was also one of the first users of Goodyear eJob in Poland, a smart solution designed to streamline the tyre inspection process. The centre has played a key role in growing Goodyear’s share of business in the region.

ABA BANDENSERVICE STOLWIJK B.V. operates out of Stolwijk in the Netherlands. Its approach focuses on a tailor-made tyre and maintenance plan to support the operation of its fleets. In addition, the service centre maintains its high quality remotely as well as in the workshop and is committed to lowering its carbon footprint by continually improving processes and using more efficient ways to provide the same quality of service.

Goodyear also recognises Greek partner ΣΤΑΥΡΑΚΗΣ ΑΕ for its excellent service to local fleets while continuously improving by investing in the latest equipment. It provides alignment, regrooving, casing, 24-hour mobile fitment services. The partner achieved the highest service levels in the local market and has supported Goodyear’s premium brand sales since 2005.

Adam Stanton, European Network & Service Manager for Goodyear Commercial, commented: “We would like to congratulate each of our Q2 winners for their continued support covering the whole of Europe alongside over 2,000 other partners who go the extra mile to provide excellent service to our customers. The five partners selected this quarter demonstrated forward-thinking and an uncompromising attitude to serving customers. On behalf of all TruckForce customers, I would like to thank our outstanding partners for their teamwork and commitment.”

Goodyear has introduced GP-3E, a tyre designed for wheel loaders, articulated dump trucks and graders. Typically, such machines are used on major infrastructure projects that have tough cost and timescale targets. As a result of researching operators’ needs, Goodyear has increased the operational versatility of its latest tyre generation, the advanced GP-3E makes the tyre choice easy for the operator.

Maximising efficiency without compromising traction and performance 

Goodyear has vast experience in servicing vehicles in the L3 (loader and bulldozer), E3 (earthmover) and G3 (grader) segments. While there are significant differences between the machinery, the tyre demands are similar. 

Maximising margin in a competitive sector is important for operators. Goodyear has brought innovations that reduce operator costs, while enhancing performance. For example, the GP-3E features Goodyear’s specially formulated Type 6 compound which has advanced abrasion resistance, reducing operators’ tyre costs.

Goodyear has reduced the weight of the GP-3E compared to its predecessors, boosting efficiency. The lower weight does not come at the expense of strength and durability, as the GP-3E features a new multiple steel belt carcass construction that has enhanced cut and tread wear resistance. This construction has been proven to optimize tread wear, helping achieve Goodyear’s goals of maximising efficiency and sustainability without compromising performance.

Traction or flotation? GP-3E delivers both. 

Another area where Goodyear tackled the challenge of seemingly conflicting priorities during operations was in the areas of traction and flotation. From a tyre engineering perspective, traction delivers grip for forward motion, but needs to be balanced with flotation, which helps the machine keep on top of the surface without creating damage or becoming bogged down.

The GP-3E tread pattern achieves high levels of traction with additional biting edges, dual centreline lugs and an increased lug count. At the same time, the tread is designed to support a high level of flotation by distributing weight evenly.

Another benefit of this enhanced tread pattern, combined with the new construction, is improved levels of operator comfort. GP-3E has been designed to reduce vibration levels, particularly on hard surfaces. This is predominantly important for operator welfare on long shifts in challenging climates. 

Goodyear’s Electric Drive Ready philosophy means the company’s latest tyres are fit for use on electric, hybrid and conventional diesel machines. This reduces operator stocking requirements as the same tyre can be used, whatever the motive power. 

Octavian Velcan - Managing Director Goodyear OTR and Aviation EMEA for Goodyear: 

“Goodyear has listened to the needs of operators in this demanding sector. Reducing cost and maximising uptime are industry priorities. By introducing one versatile, efficient and durable range fitting the operational demands of a wider range of machines we are simplifying the choice, maximising efficiency and bringing innovations that enhance tyre versatility. The innovative lightweight design of the new GP-3E supports an optimized cost per hour which drives efficiency and promotes sustainability. But it also means low-vibration comfort for the drivers.”

The new GP-3E will be available in the following sizes: 

The annual survey asks those working in the transportation industry across Europe about the realities of working towards more sustainable transportation.

More than 1000 fleets contributed to the results of last year’s survey, and this year is the first opportunity to identify trends and discover if perspectives have changed. Last year’s findings were a fascinating insight into the industry’s response to sustainability, and this year's survey will build on those results.

The 2021 survey demonstrated how many fleets are contributing to lowering their carbon footprint with clear corporate social responsibility strategies and goals. The survey found that three out of four fleets recognised carbon footprint as an important issue, and 70% of larger fleets have defined clear green goals to work towards.

Since last year, the economic environment has shifted significantly. Inflationary pressure has meant an upwards trend in the price of raw materials and energy. Companies have felt the full force of these economic conditions, and the survey will aim to identify the impact that these shifts have had on sustainability goals.

The 2021 survey results showed how proactive fleet operators are in building a more sustainable future. With greater economic headwinds in 2022 it will be fascinating to see how our industry is meeting the challenge.

Click here to participate in the 2022 Sustainable Reality Survey. For each survey response, Goodyear will plant a tree with the support of Tree-Nation.

New TechHub app simplifies installation of smart tyre monitoring solutions
Introducing TechHub, an integrated solution and installation app for Goodyear TPMS and Goodyear DrivePoint and providing multiple benefits for service providers. The new app supports technicians on the installation of the smart tyre monitoring system set-up while implementing high-quality standards facilitating the correct working of the system. Overall data exchange between fleet customers and their Goodyear service provider is further enhanced by supporting connectivity tools for fleets.

After the installation of tyre pressure sensor equipment, the traditional method of vehicle setup can be time-consuming as all data has to be entered manually. Especially if the fleet has a large number of vehicles this involves a lot of planning to reduce downtime to a minimum. TechHub provides a solution that eases the installation process. The advanced installation protocol supports accurate wheel positioning, eliminating the potential risk of false manual entries, and allows benchmark setting for precise algorithm calculations and alert prompting while the system is operation.

How it works 

• Key wheel position data is collected at once via a digital scan. All TPMS tyre sensor and vehicle TPMS device are then linked, automating the vehicle configuration. Subsequently, all data is uploaded to the cloud for easy storage and accessibility.
• The data is instantly transferred from the field to the back office, further improving customer experience at fleet level.
• By enabling data integration and synchronisation between different solutions and data, the process provides critical tyre data coming from Goodyear TPMS and Goodyear DrivePoint in one place. Soon, ZF’s Trailer FMS and telematics, branded TRANSICS, will be added to the ecosystem of applications.
• Service providers can access the data via the expert Goodyear TechHub. Beyond setting new advanced installation standards, the application also provides key tyre performance metrics and facilitates upgrades and other app maintenance activities.  TechHub is now available to service providers and fleet technicians currently using Goodyear’s Total Mobility smart monitoring solutions.

Connectivity update to fleet manager platform FleetHub, making tyre management simpler for on-the-go fleets
Since many years, the Goodyear Fleet Manager online platform and mobile app is a trusted companion to support efficient daily operations. In an environment marked by increasing complexity, as well as time and cost pressures, the need to speed up the digital transformation has never been more tenacious. 

Today, fleet operators can have access to manyfold data of sensors on the vehicle, tyres, load and other critical elements. In practice, these datasets remain often isolated or scattered because they are supplier or system specific. To remain competitive and further enhance efficiency, the industry is calling for more integrated and connected solutions.

Goodyear is now upgrading its well-known fleet manager platform and application, addressing evolving ‘big data’ needs of today and tomorrow articulated by leading transportation companies across Europe.  By bringing together one of the most advanced tyre monitoring solutions in the market, the updated version integrates all available tyre health data in one user-friendly online and mobile overview. Within the advanced FleetHub, customers can now easily access data from Goodyear TPMS, Goodyear Checkpoint (Drive-Over-Reader) and Goodyear DrivePoint. This user-friendly solution equips managers with a complete data pool to make the most informed decisions.

Furthermore, for CheckPoint users, FleetHub brings a modern online user interface including advanced mobile applications available to operators. Whereas data-integration results in a better user experience with centralised support. The platform is also future-proof, with users enjoying regular software updates and the overall evolution of the Goodyear Total Mobility value proposition.

In the field, this contributes to increased uptime, optimized proactive maintenance planning, extended tyre service life and increased mileage. In the current environment, staying ahead of the game is crucial for transportation companies. Fast and data-based decisions contribute to more operational efficiency and increasing competitiveness levels. Ultimately connecting the dots will support leaner and sustainable transportation.

Manuel Vidal, FIA Truck Racing Commission President: "FIA’s approach is to have motorsport acting as a laboratory for sustainable mobility. In line with this, a couple of years ago the FIA Truck Racing Commission developed a sustainability roadmap that is now being implemented. The first milestone, the introduction of 100% renewable HVO biodiesel to the FIA European Truck Racing Championship, was reached last year. Today, we are delighted to welcome Goodyear joining our journey. The extreme constraints of truck racing mean that tyres are one of the key aspects of this discipline and their relevance to the road haulage industry proves that motorsport can serve a greater purpose.”

These efforts are brought together by the FIA under three key pillars: climate action, technology and innovation, and sustainable practices. After becoming carbon neutral in 2021, one of the major milestones within FIA’s environmental strategy is to reach net-zero carbon emissions in 2030.

Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship organiser ETRA has worked with its shareholder, the ADAC Mittelrhein and FIA to develop and implement plans to reduce its carbon footprint and promote green technologies. The sustainability strategic pillar is at the heart of the truck racing championship and all are committed to support meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Georg Fuchs, ETRA Managing Director: “In 2021, FIA ETRC became the first FIA-regulated championship to switch to 100 percent sustainable fuel, which supports the championship’s goal to become a leading platform for sustainable technologies in the road haulage industry. Goodyear and ETRA have been closely working together for a long time in driving results for the teams. We look forward to further intensify our efforts to contribute to the circular economy and the move towards sustainable transportation by extending the truck racing life beyond the races.”   

Maciej Szymanski, Marketing Director Commercial Europe, Goodyear: “We’re excited to work with the FIA and ETRA in taking the Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship to the next level of sustainability this year. Therefore, we are now introducing Goodyear’s advanced retreading program within the Goodyear FIA ETRC. Testing in extreme racing conditions has contributed to the development of Goodyear’s advanced and robust carcass technology. Moving forward, we will further extend the service live of racing casings in hi-quality and select retreading programs for on-road applications. This is a good practice of Goodyear’s circular economic model without compromising on quality or performance. We look forward to increasingly link our sustainability efforts in the championship to how we support commercial vehicle fleets across the region.

For many years, Goodyear’s established retreading program for truck tyres is already implemented by leading European transportation companies supporting them to cut overall tyre bills by 10%¹ and extend tyre life by an additional 150%¹. As brand-new title sponsor and long-term exclusive tyre supplier, Goodyear is highly committed to leverage the FIA ETRC as a testing and innovation platform to continue paving the way for the commercial vehicle sector towards efficient circular economy practices and lowering emissions.

Sustainable racing and on-road innovation

The data retrieved in extreme racing conditions has already contributed to Goodyear setting the standards on durable and versatile low emission and rolling resistance tyres. As an example, the entire FUELMAX ENDURANCE range has an EU tyre B label for fuel efficiency, bringing the fuel efficiency known from highway operations to state roads.  

During demanding racing conditions, heat-generation and deformation are critical parameters. Equally in on road applications, lowering the heat generation in the tyre is key to increase fuel efficiency and decrease emissions. While limiting deformation will further contribute to extending the tyre service life with the learnings incorporated Goodyear’s innovative carcass technology. 

End to end carbon footprint reduction 

 

Goodyear Truck Racing tyres are produced by using renewable electricity sources like hydro, wind, solar or geothermic biomass power. On a wider scale, Goodyear has adopted a number of company-wide initiatives both globally and specific to the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region. Its overriding target is to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. All Goodyear plants across Europe and Turkey already use 100 percent renewable energy, and this milestone will be reached by all facilities across the total EMEA region by the end of 2022. The company adopted a zero waste to landfill policy in 2006.

On the product side, Goodyear aims to develop a 100 percent sustainable material tire by 2030, and has already released a demonstration model using 70 percent sustainable material.

On the operations side, three-quarters of fleets identified carbon footprint reduction as an important issue in last year’s Goodyear Sustainable Reality Survey. Four out of five surveyed large fleets stated they will have sustainability KPIs in place by autumn this year. It is therefore clear that environmental concerns are key to the future of the industry.

As the official tyre supplier and title sponsor of the European truck racing series, Goodyear has an important role to play in supporting the championship’s extensive efforts to improve even further on the championship’s environmental credentials. The new Goodyear FIA ETRC will continue to be an important proving ground for taking the lead in the development of sustainable on road mobility solutions.

1 Based on internal analysis, comparing the use of a new Goodyear tyre versus a new Goodyear tyre that is regrooved, retreaded and regrooved a second time.

2 Based on internal data

The 2022 season will see 15 teams and their drivers compete across eight rounds and 32 races to determine who will be crowned champion. The championship will visit historic venues such as Nürburgring, Zolder, Hungaroring and Le Mans Bugatti, before the season finale in Jarama in October.

Driving innovation, both on and off track

As title partner, Goodyear’s involvement will help accelerate the Goodyear FIA ETRC’s push for sustainability, as the championship provides the perfect test lab for innovation. Tyres have a key role to play in helping achieve greater efficiency and lower emissions.

Technologies pioneered for the track filter down to products for the road in a number of ways. Stronger carcass technology provides commercial vehicles with a greater level of protection and robustness. Meanwhile, compound enhancements allow for improved rolling resistance and an all-around more efficient journey, as well as increased mileage.

Maciej Szymanski, Director Marketing Europe: “We are excited to extend our relationship and commitment to FIA ETRC. As title partner, we are in a position to learn from the challenges the race drivers face on track to better serve our customers across Europe in the field of bringing more efficiency and sustainability. The extreme conditions of wheel-to-wheel racing in Goodyear FIA ETRC help us to learn valuable information about tyre performance to add to Goodyear’s expertise in supporting fleet operators with advanced tyre management solutions.”

Georg Fuchs, ETRA managing director said: “Goodyear has been a valued partner for many years, we are excited to have strengthened our partnership and welcome Goodyear as our title partner. 

We are striving to become a leading platform for sustainable technologies and to make truck racing a relevant research and development platform for manufacturers. Over the last few years, we have already been able to provide a testing ground for Goodyear and their road relevant developments. We are proud to know, that Goodyear on road tyres are carrying a bit of the truck racing excitement in them."

Season Calendar:
Misano, Italy (21st - 22nd May)
Hungaroring, Hungary (11th - 12th June)
Slovakia Ring, Slovakia (2nd - 3rd July)
Nürburgring, Germany (16th - 17th July)
Most, Czech Republic (3rd - 4th September)
Zolder, Belgium - (10th - 11th September)
Le Mans Bugatti, France (24th - 25th September)
Jarama, Spain (1st - 2nd October)

More info on Goodyear FIA ERTC season: http://www.fiaetrc.com/

In 2021 Goodyear has qualified for DAF’s highest category within the program, the “Masters” level. This is the first time Goodyear has achieved this score, owing to the work and dedication of its teams who constantly seek to improve the total customer experience year over year. This is particularly true of maintaining our high standards of operational excellence despite a disruptive macro environment.

The program annually award suppliers that have, among a variety of criteria, improved results, promoted collaboration and optimised relationships with customers.

Improvements in sustainability with new products and smart technologies

As a dedicated development partner, Goodyear also supports truck and trailer manufacturers in planning for the future. For example, the newly introduced FUELMAX ENDURANCE tyre, gives DAF’s new generation of trucks a lower rolling resistance and supports reducing the vehicle’s carbon footprint by -2%¹.  On top, all Goodyear on-road tyres are compatible with alternative drivetrains such as hybrid and battery-electric HGVs. This solidifies Goodyear’s position as a trusted supplier and partner that consistently adds value through innovation.

The European Commission has introduced VECTO, which stands for Vehicle Energy Consumption Calculation Tool. Goodyear is working with OEMs and fleet customers to maximise sustainability efforts and overall fleet efficiency. Alongside a host of influencing factors such as vehicle type and weight and aerodynamics, tyre rolling resistance has a major role to play.

Furthermore, Goodyear’s Total Mobility end-to-end solution also helped it boost its eligibility for the “Masters” certification. By using advanced technologies and solutions, DAF and Goodyear have strengthened their working relationship year over year and will continue to support leading fleets across Europe to drive results in competitiveness, efficiency and sustainability.

DAF considers no less than sixteen KPIs before rating each supplier including key criteria on product development, operations support and business alignment.

TruckForce keeps fleets running efficiently from over 2,000 European locations, each trained to deliver the highest quality standards 24/7. The expert team ensures fleets are equipped with the optimum technology and tyre choices for maximising efficiency, mobility and durability.

MD Pneu s.r.o. operates out of Tábor, Czech Republic and has been awarded a TruckForce Service Excellence award for its activity in Goodyear FleetOnlineSolutions (FOS) and supporting leading fleet customers on the implementation of the Goodyear Total Mobility value proposition. It has been showcasing a very high performance on the Goodyear ServiceLine24 interventions, Goodyear’s 24H/7 roadside assistance. Their use of the automated fleet inspection tool, Goodyear eJob, is even better, with an outstanding 98.5% registration rate.

Salco, based in Spain, is a VULCO partner in the Galician region in Spain. Awarded for its outstanding performance year over year, it boasts nine workshops and 16 vans working for Goodyear ServiceLine24. Thanks to this, the group’s response time is 12% better than the industry average call-out in the country. With its prominent expertise, Salco is also servicing one of the most important bus fleets in Spain, having also installed the newly introduced Goodyear DrivePoint. This easy to implement drive through readers will be based in Madrid at the customer’s main yard.

For demonstrating excellent breakdown service and showcasing TruckForce, Austrian tyre shop and service centre Eurowheel GmbH has assigned extra resources to service Goodyear fleets. Part of the Top Reifen Team network, Eurowheel is an important service provider in the region for Goodyear customers handled via FleetOnlineSolutions, the comprehensive tyre management and administration solution for fleet operators opting for Goodyear Total Mobility.

The next partner to be recognised is G.D. GOMME Officina Mobile for its huge commitment to Goodyear ServiceLine24 and dedicated workforce. It also deploys a Goodyear-branded mobile fitting vehicle to serve customers remotely. The Italian tyre retailer and service centre continues its strong collaboration with Goodyear in new fleet activation into 2022.

United Kingdom-based City 1st Tyres has been selected for the award in Q1 for its +80% usage of Goodyear eJob across the group’s 7 locations, which represents substantial growth and represents one of the highest percentages in the UK. In addition, it has successfully achieved a high number of inspections every month for key UK customers and specifically employed an in-house fitter and fleet inspector.

“We are delighted to be recognising our partners across the TruckForce Network for the first time in 2022 as we continue the TruckForce Service Excellence Awards,” Adam Stanton, European Network & Service Manager for Goodyear Commercial, commented. “We are proud of all the more than 2,000 partners who each day go the extra mile for the fleets who count on our Goodyear Total Mobility offer and support to drive results for our customers. The five partners who have been selected in Q1 have gone above and beyond, whether that’s through extremely high-performance service or fully embracing our value proposition to deliver customer excellence. On behalf of all TruckForce customers and Goodyear, I would like to thank these five outstanding partners for their teamwork, innovative thinking, and customer focused spirit.”

The initiative invites commercial vehicle operators to experience the advantages of connecting the dots between processes, solutions and services, emphasising the importance of getting the most out of every detail which add up to a more sustainable, efficient and competitive fleet.

The year-long Drive Results tour and campaign kick off on 22nd April in France, before heading to the United Kingdom, and Italy in May for the first round of the Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship at Misano.

Goodyear’s Total Mobility value proposition provides an end-to-end solution designed to support fleets to lower carbon footprint, be more competitive and optimize efficiency in the daily operations. Smart tools such as automated tyre pressure and tread depth monitoring via Goodyear’s CheckPoint  (Drive-Over-Reader) efficiently measure key aspects of tyre health, so drivers and operators can be confident each journey is more efficient and sustainable. Goodyear Total Mobility brings together everything from high performance tyres and innovative solutions to comprehensive support, maintenance and aftercare, assured by the pan-European Goodyear service network.

Visitors of the Drive Results tour can expect an experience tailored to their business focus. Inside the mobile showroom, Goodyear’s latest generation of versatile and fuel-efficient tyres will be on display, enriched by an immersive augmented reality element, which will bring guests even closer to the incorporated technology. It will reinforce the key elements of the products, highlighting the importance of optimising rolling resistance for efficiency cost, and minimising a vehicle’s carbon footprint. For instance, using the all-new FUELMAX ENDURANCE durable and low emission range will result in two percent less CO2 emissions or 100 tonnes of CO2 emissions and 40.000 litres of fuel, per year.¹

Piotr Czyzyk, Managing Director Proactive Solutions and Fleet Europe for Goodyear: “We are incredibly excited to showcase the advanced benefits of the Goodyear Total Mobility value proposition across Europe this year. Last year we announced our strategic collaboration with ZF, together we can further leverage our data-intelligence expertise. For transportation companies, getting straightforward access to key data of the different assets being it tyres, trucks or trailers is an important step forward in easing their digital transformation. Today’s fleets require preventive and prescriptive information together with end-to-end fleet management solutions, supporting them to take the right actions in just seconds.”

Maciej Szymanski, Director Marketing for Goodyear Commercial Europe: “Goodyear is constantly pursuing ways to increase efficiency for fleets. In an economic climate of rapidly increasing costs, our advanced solutions can help our partners to save money and make their business more efficient while maintaining a competitive edge. We are conscious that each fleet comes with unique challenges, so it is important to customize and showcase the potential savings beyond other added value such as uptime and proactive maintenance an end-to-end approach brings.  Goodyear provides this with Total Mobility.”

According to the Sustainable Reality Survey three out of four fleets recognised carbon footprint reduction as an important issue and  42% of fleets are using retreaded tyres as well as taking other sustainability focused actions.

Marc Preedy, Managing Director Replacement for Commercial Europe explained: “The survey showed that our customers want to be part of the circular economy, supporting sustainability, yet also driving value for their end-customers. With 42% of surveyed fleets currently using retreaded tyres. On top, the European Commission’s ‘Green Deal’ aims to make the continent carbon-neutral by 2050. Representing a clear opportunity to make further sustainability gains.  Our latest innovative generation tyres and fleet management solutions equip fleets to lower emissions without adding complexity in the daily operations. The Goodyear Retreading programme will help drive further progress in overall fleet sustainability”.

Leading transport companies that use the Goodyear Retreading solutions can cut overall tyre bills by 10% and extend tyre life by an additional 150 %¹, more than double than the first life a new tyre. While using the existing resources as much as possible the Goodyear Retreading process uses 56 % less crude oil for manufacturing ¹.  

The Goodyear Retreading gives tyres multiple lives, being regroovable, retreadable and again regroovable.  The offer can be customized to the specific needs. Tyres can be managed so fleets can select to only retread their own casings, or they can opt to join a casing exchange program. Fleets can choose from TreadMax tyres, which use the latest generation of casing technology as well as fuel-efficient and low emission tread innovations, or NextTread which offers standardised tyre patterns and a wider range.

“For decades, fleet operators have trusted Goodyear TreadMax and NextTread retreads to reduce the total cost of operation. Now, combined with our end-to-end Goodyear Total Mobility fleet management offer, the Goodyear Retreading solution goes a step further in helping operators support their sustainability objectives. The high residual value of the premium Goodyear casing makes this process sustainable from both a financial and environmental perspective.” added Preedy.  

Further sustainability gains can be achieved within the Goodyear Total Mobility value proposition when combining retreading with low emission tyres like FUELMAX ENDURANCE and smart tyre monitoring solutions as well as FleetOnlineSolutions to create a sustainable and efficient tyre management package for fleet operators.

Optimizing end-to-end

In recent months, Goodyear has intensified the collaboration with local casing handling partners. This includes investment in state-of-the art shearography inspection equipment for even more accurate non-destructive inspection. Ultimately resulting in less scrapping and waste, contributing to successful data-based circular economy practices.

While working with certified local casing partners, Goodyear is optimizing the end-to-end logistics of casing handling:

·       With the help of eCasing, casing data is entered and monitored automatically, so no  double handling or manual data entry. The casing app is very intuitive supporting all retreading business models and with full mobile tracking of Customer Owned Casings and Casing Exchange flows. Via the customer dashboard the app gives easy visibility of all documentation relevant to the customer - such as casing return notes or, casing purchase orders.

·       Casings are inspected locally instead of being shipped for a central inspection.  Only accepted casings are sent to Goodyear’s retreading facilities, no redundant shipping of non-conforming casings across Europe

1 Based on internal analysis, comparing the use of a new Goodyear tyre versus a new Goodyear tyre that is regrooved, retreaded and regrooved a second time.

2 Based on internal data.

In 2021, FIA ETRC continued its movement towards a greener future with the introduction of 100% renewable HVO biodiesel, becoming the first FIA-regulated championship to run on sustainable biofuel. Based on its premium fuel efficiency and low emission on-road product range development insights, Goodyear will work closely with ETRA (European Truck Racing Association) to introduce new technologies in the years to come. Furthermore, Goodyear will share its expertise in developing tyres that deliver exceptional performance in varied conditions while remaining durable and long-lasting with its robust carcass technology. These performance credentials as well as Goodyear’s advanced tyre intelligence capabilities incorporated in the company’s smart tyre monitoring solutions, are just as important while racing in FIA ETRC as they are for maximising revenue and minimising downtime in daily transport operations.

Maciej Szymanski, Marketing Director for Commercial Europe at Goodyear said: “We are excited to reinforce our commitment the European Truck Racing Championship by becoming the official title sponsor. Being the most successful tyre brand in Formula 1 history and official tyre supplier to many leading championships in the world, including World Endurance Championship (WEC) and Nascar, we have a strong legacy in motorsport. This now further strengthened with this first FIA-regulated championship under Goodyear name. We look forward to work closely with the European Truck Racing Association towards a greener future. Extreme conditions like in racing are the ultimate testbed enabling us to gain added value insights on tyre deformation, tyre temperature management and rolling resistance. We like to push the innovation envelop to maximize results for the teams and transportation companies and we will keep doing this in our quest to more sustainable materials and efficient tyre management systems to connect the dots.”

Georg Fuchs, ETRA managing director said: The FIA ETRC strives to become a leading platform for sustainable technologies in the road haulage industry and at the same time making truck racing a relevant research and development platform for manufacturers. Both Goodyear and the FIA ETRC share the same objectives, where more sustainable solutions are being introduced in the industry and we are excited to intensify our commitment and to have Goodyear as partner onboard on our journey to a more sustainable future of truck racing.”

Goodyear is also an official tyre partner to other series that will introduce biofuel - the FIA World Endurance Championship (including the 24 Hours of Le Mans)  and European Le Mans Series - and the founding partner of the all-electric FIA ETCR - eTouring Car World Cup, where every team and driver uses a bespoke version of the Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport developed specifically for electric performance vehicles.

From: left to right in the picture: 

Janine Meyer. Events & Team Relations European Truck Racing Association
Rolf Werner, Managing Director European Truck Racing Association
Maciej Szymanski, Director Marketing for Goodyear Commercial Europe 
Davide Califano, Head of Brand and Product Marketing for Goodyear Commercial Europe 
Georg Fuchs, Managing Director European Truck Racing Association

German company Duwald Reifen has consistently shown first class service and delivered a 100% ServiceLine24h acceptance rate for the last six years. This meant every emergency roadside request for service was actioned, with zero rejections, showing the efficiency and capacity of the company. Based just outside of Hamburg, Duwald Reifen has gone above and beyond for Goodyear customers and thoroughly deserves this award.

Next, for being the leading company in its country for the usage of Goodyear’s eJob app and for continued growing support to key Goodyear fleets in Poland, Misztal has also been awarded a TruckForce Service Excellence award. eJob is the latest generation of the mobile tyre management app from Goodyear, enabling technicians to record fleet work conducted at the customer location or workshop

Based near the strategically important port in north-west France, Nantes Pneumatiques has been awarded a TruckForce Service Excellence Award for providing a ServiceLine24h acceptance rate of over 90%. The company has also been an early adopter of eJob. Nantes Pneumatiques, a member of Profil+ tyre group that expands the impressive fleet support package to Goodyear customers across France.

ProTyre Truck, which is based in the UK with headquarters in Winchester, has successfully rolled out Goodyear’s latest collection of smart tools, including eJob and FOS (FleetOnline Solutions) eCasing, across its national network. Together with Goodyear, the collaboration has seen an expansion recently in specific parts of the UK to deliver strong coverage for the service network to fleet customers. This has awarded ProTyre a TruckForce Service Excellence Award.

Finally, for first class service delivery at contracted fleets, showing a high usage of eJob and growing shares of the business, Dekk og Felg Lillestrøm has been awarded a TruckForce Service Excellence Award. Located near the Norwegian capital Oslo and close to the Swedish border, its range of services in a strategically important location means it's the final company to win a TruckForce Service Excellence Award in the fourth quarter.

Adam Stanton, Manager Network & Service-Commercial Europe for Goodyear: “For our final TruckForce Service Excellence Awards of 2021, we have highlighted partners in five countries who have shown their determination to go above and beyond for Goodyear’s customers. Throughout the year we have showcased the outstanding performance of 20 TruckForce partners, located across 12 countries, which reinforces the breadth of coverage and quality of our network. They all have been selected carefully and embody what this award represents. My sincere gratitude to the network partners commitment to outperform in servicing fleets and support in growing the Goodyear network across Europe.”

The one-stop fleet management solution combines data from Goodyear’s Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with HERE location services. Goodyear TPMS is an advanced sensor and predictive algorithm solution that helps fleets avoid up to 90% of tire-related breakdowns. With HERE location services, fleet operators and Goodyear service providers can localize a vehicle in need of a service or road assistance intervention within a few meters and navigate them to the nearest maintenance station. In addition, Goodyear has been using HERE SDK (Software Development Kit) to provide a mobile application for commercial drivers.  

The HERE SDK is a set of programming interfaces that gives access to HERE’s rich portfolio of services, such as in-vehicle navigation, traffic alerts, transit information and fleet management features. The HERE SDK provides vector maps in over 190 countries and in 60 languages with optimized map data size to minimize download latency and to provide fast response times while still scaling to a high degree of fidelity. Map customization tools enable various adjustments such as the highlighting of important objects on a map by changing colors and icons as well as editing dynamic properties of cartography objects including buildings, roads and land use. The HERE SDK mapping, routing and search functions incorporate  truck specific road information, vehicle regulations and points of interest. HERE Routing also enables fleet managers to deliver optimized navigation routes incorporating the attributes of the roadway, legal and physical restrictions and adjusted road hierarchy and topology.  

“HERE location technology is bringing clear added value to our Goodyear Total Mobility customers. In the daily fleet operations, every minute counts and being able to locate a vehicle in a timely and precise manner is key to minimizing downtime. In case of a service need, this can be managed in a user-friendly manner – via a mobile application for both drivers and dispatchers. Working with HERE allows us to offer state-of-the art data solutions that drive efficient and sustainable results,” said Grégory Boucharlat, Vice President for Commercial Europe at Goodyear.  

“We are proud to be working with one of the world’s leading tire manufacturers and mobility providers. By integrating our advanced data and location services into Goodyear easy-to-use solutions, we contribute to building a safer, more efficient and cleaner world,” said Gino Ferru, General Manager EMEAR and Senior Vice President at HERE Technologies.  

Goodyear and the FIA European Truck Racing Championship (FIA ETRC) have renewed their long-standing partnership with another three-year contract extension. This underlines Goodyear’s commitment to the exciting future vision of FIA ETRC, including an increased focus on innovation, sustainability and talent development.

Maciej Szymanski, Director of Marketing for Commercial Business Europe at Goodyear said: “The race-prepared 1,500 hp trucks have incredible acceleration with 30-160 km/h being dispatched in just six seconds. In addition to harnessing this power, the Goodyear tyres also have to cope with high G-forces, kerb strikes and intense track temperatures. It’s over twenty years since we developed our first ETRC tyre and we are delighted to be appointed as sole supplier for another three years.”

FIA ETRC attracted 420,000 spectators to events in past years and is an important platform for tyre development. The tyre is an important component to drive results on the track, likewise for daily transport fleet operations. Efficiency and uptime are key to stay ahead of the game.

The experience of extreme situations in motorsport complements Goodyear’s on-road, test track, simulation and laboratory research and testing. The tyre data gathered from extreme race conditions enables the engineering team to develop new innovative tread and carcass technologies combining both low rolling resistance and durability for advanced on-road performance.

Hi-performance and sustainability

The FIA ETRC is underway to become a leading platform in the road haulage industry with a sustainability roadmap in place, a role model in the road haulage industry, underlining its commitment through becoming a signatory of the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework, to help implement the Paris Agreement and to accelerate the transformative change needed to reach greenhouse gas emission neutrality.

Rolf Werner, ETRA managing director: “This year, all trucks switched to 100% renewable biofuel (HVO) becoming the first ever FIA-regulated championship to do so, and bio-LNG is being pioneered in the pace truck. The championship’s framework for sustainability transition is working towards a net-zero target of 2038 and Goodyear has pledged to contribute to this. We look forward to work closely in the next years towards a greener future.”

The 2021 FIA ETRC featured events at major European venues, including Formula 1 circuits like the Hungaroring, and a season finale at Le Mans.

FIA ETRC 2022 calendar

• May 21-22 Italy (Misano World Circuit)
• June 11-12 Hungary (Hungaroring)
• July 02-03 Slovakia (Slovakia Ring)
• July 16-17 Germany (Nürburgring)
• September 03-04 Czech Republic (Autodrom Most)
• September 10-11 Belgium (Circuit Zolder)
• September 24-25 France (Le Mans Bugatti)
• October 01-02 Spain (R.A.C.E. Circuito del Jarama)

More info: FIA ETRC website.

Maciej Szymanski, Marketing Director Commercial Europe for Goodyear: “Bus operators are under increasing pressure to meet environmental targets whilst adapting to changing trends in urban mobility. Goodyear’s focus is to simplify the move towards a climate-neutral future by providing the technologies to win in a fast-changing environment for personal mobility. Our aim is to support bus fleet managers in lowering the carbon footprint by driving energy efficiency with low-emission tyres as well as smart tyre monitoring systems.”

Electric drive ready

Based on the proven URBANMAX MCA design, the new MCA HL+ is adapted to support additional battery loads while enhancing lower energy consumption. The technology in the tyre, which includes a new tread compound, design and construction, supports the need for operators to reduce CO2 and noise emissions, particularly in densely populated areas.

The URBANMAX MCA HL+ is an all-position tyre with high-load structure enabling an 8-tonne axle load capacity required by modern electric or hybrid buses.

“The URBANMAX MCA is known for its high mileage potential, traction and all-weather grip performance required in demanding urban environments. Since many years, this product line is a trusted choice of leading transportation companies across Europe as it is catering to the needs of both combustion and alternative drive trains. The new URBANMAX MCA HL+ size offers lower rolling resistance to enhance energy and fuel efficiency as well as an increased load capacity further supporting range extension for electric buses.” says Szymanski.

Fit for demanding city application and all-weather conditions

Whilst energy efficiency is at the forefront fleet managers’ minds, durability remains a key factor in running bus operations. Buses have to tackle a wide range of demanding road conditions including kerb impacts, potholes, speed humps, urban areas with tight turning circles and regular stop-start driving.

As public transportation keeps cities moving, service needs to run whatever the weather, therefore the URBANMAX MCA range is fit for all-season operation and has a 3PMSF sidewall marking related to its responsiveness on snowy and icy surfaces.

Any downtime can heavily disrupt passenger schedules, so Goodyear has focused on a range of technologies that combine robustness with energy efficiency. The company also integrated RFID tags to allows simple identification and connectivity to tyre management and tracking systems, further streamlining tyre management.

Supporting green goals of transportation companies, the full range is also compatible with the Goodyear Retreading program.

Technology features incorporated in the URBANMAX MCA HL+

• The innovative tread design has an optimized rib layout to ensure even contact pressure distribution, shoulder robustness and stress reduction.
• A low hysteresis tread ensures cool running capabilities reducing heat build-up or energy loss and offering excellent wet grip for high traction at poor weather conditions.
• ‘Flexomatic’ sipes in the centre ribs, supported by block edge siping improve the braking performance. The Flexomatic sipes close when rolling through the footprint so that the tread blocks interlock. This makes the tread stiffer and more robust whilst still maintaining high traction in more challenging weather conditions.
• Incorporated Interlaced Strip Technology assures less deformation in the carcass and creates a uniform pressure distribution across the footprint.
• URBANMAX MCA HL+ has a reinforced sidewall and will protect the tyre to the higher impact risk within the urban environment.
• Wear indicators indicate the remaining thickness of the protective layer and when the tyre should be reversed, effectively giving it a second life.

The first 2021 Goodyear Sustainable Reality Survey set out to find what transportation partners are currently doing to reduce their carbon footprint, and what they plan to achieve. Survey responses suggest sustainability has a significant prominence for operators in the transportation industry.

Sustainable transportation high on the agenda

Companies of all sizes give increased weight to the importance of more environmental practices. Three-quarters of all respondents recognized sustainability as an important or very important issue. Over half of fleets with 101 or more vehicles stated it is an intrinsic part of their company values.

“The responses to the 2021 Goodyear Sustainable Reality Survey are very encouraging and underline that environmental sustainability is high on the industry’s agenda. Besides the increased focus on emission reduction while manufacturing new vehicles, fleet managers are clearly taking actions. They are responding to climate challenges in a positive way to meet carbon reduction targets and support the move towards a climate-neutral future.” says Maciej Szymanski, Director of Marketing for Commercial Business Europe at Goodyear.

By 2022, 4 out of 5 fleets have clear sustainability goals

Fleets over 500 vehicles are leading the way by incorporating an environment focused culture in their daily operations and 70% of larger fleets indicate they also have defined clear green goals. By Fall 2022, 4 out of 5 total surveyed fleets indicate they will have sustainability KPI’s in place, representing an increase of 38% vs 2021.

“While the industry moves towards a greener future it is also at a critical point as transportation and logistics providers across Europe are facing fluctuations in demand and increasing operational challenges marked by time and cost pressures as well as augmented complexity. We see a clear need for straightforward solutions meeting both sustainability and efficiency goals. To further accelerate the move, it is key to make sustainability a given.” says Szymanski.

Most popular measures and the importance of incentives

One of the most common actions being made is the renewal of vehicle parcs, with 68% of operators refreshing their fleet with cleaner options. Alternative drive trains are on the rise, fleets with over 500 vehicles, 43% are switching to electric, hybrid, or LNG-powered vehicles.

About sixty percent of fleets are already using more fuel-efficient tyres. In that context, Goodyear is supporting truck manufacturers and transportation companies in their move towards a greener future. The recently launched Goodyear FUELMAX ENDURANCE tyre has low rolling resistance and durability attributes that aid fleets with their sustainability goals without adding complexity in the daily operations.

To further decrease their carbon footprint, fleets are opting for retreading (42%). With the reuse the tyre carcass and less raw materials, waste and energy involved in the production, this is another straightforward solution for fleets to lower their carbon footprint. Goodyear retreading uses the same quality treads as for its new tyres, offering similar performance.

Additional measures to improve fleet environmental sustainability include the optimization of driver behaviors such as eco-driving techniques. Fifty-five percent of operators already employ this practice, with the setting of fuel consumption objectives also underway.

Of fleets surveyed, 45% state they are familiar with upcoming environmental legislation applicable to the transportation industry, including environmental incentives and taxation schemes, in addition to other more restrictive regulations.

Financial incentives such as tax breaks are key motivators for more than 70% of questioned fleets. A third or surveyed companies view sustainability as a way to reduce operating costs.

Cost and complexity putting a brake on green mobility

Main blocker to take even more sustainability actions is cost, over 60% indicated some solutions are too expensive. Seventy-nine percent of fleets with more than 500 vehicles report they would be encouraged to make greater improvements if financial incentives were available.

Forty-five percent of companies state more sustainable solutions are too complex to be integrated into their everyday activity. However, haulers recognize the power of data-intelligence. 54% of operators now implement telematic solutions to help improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.

Goodyear’s full suite of one-stop tyre and fleet management solutions can be easily integrated into fleet operations. Goodyear’s Drive-Over-Reader and DrivePoint provide automated tyre analysis in seconds every time a vehicle visits the yard. Goodyear TPMS gives real-time data to operators and allows full connectivity to ZF’s Transics-branded FMS (FleetManagementSolutions) portfolio including a web-based back-office solution (TX CONNECT) and portal providing insights into the technical performance and health of the trailer park (TX TRAILERFIT).

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About Sustainable Reality Survey

Within the Sustainable Reality Survey, Goodyear invited fleets from across Europe to express their views on sustainability. 985 fleets from 36 European countries participated during August and September 2021. The full report is available on demand, please contact your regular press contact at Goodyear. 

Working with non-profit organization TreeNation, one tree has been planted for each survey participant, further underlining Goodyear’s commitment and Corporate Responsibility framework Better Future.

Ultra-large ships urge for more efficiency and automated port operations

Over the last decade, container ships have significantly grown in capacity, the latest generation of ultra-large ships can carry more than 20,000 TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) halfway across the globe. Larger vessels mean more energy efficiency and lower CO2 emissions.

In 2020, the largest port of Europe, Port of Rotterdam, handled 8,436,240 incoming and outgoing containers or 436.8 million tonnes of goods. The exponential growth of goods arriving at European ports significantly impacts the daily port operations including increasing unloading times, complex planning processes, … requiring more digitalization and automation.

Vehicle movements within ports are extremely time critical as any disruption can have an immediate impact on the supply chain. Goodyear DrivePoint Heavy Duty is the first system to cater to the advanced AGV-segment, further enhancing efficiency and safety in the daily port operations.

DrivePoint Heavy Duty pioneered at Hutchison Ports ECT Rotterdam

The new automated tyre monitoring system of Goodyear is piloted at Hutchison Ports ECT Rotterdam (ECT), one of the leading and most advanced container terminal operators in Europe. Multiple Goodyear DrivePoint Heavy Duty’s are installed at the ECT Euromax and ECT Delta terminals. Operational within one of the world’s largest AGV port operations, the fully automated tyre monitoring system will monitor about 100 AGVs, supporting them to operate under optimal conditions. Based on the tyre data provided by the new system, vehicles can be serviced at the right moment and tyre service life can be further extended.

The Goodyear DrivePoint Heavy Duty system is an ideal complement to AGV operations as there’s no interruption of the automated process for tyre checking and it can support operations that run day and night.

Goodyear DrivePoint Heavy Duty - How it works?

Every time the vehicle passes through the port-based information receivers, it picks up readings from the system’s dedicated heavy duty on-valve tyre pressure sensors. The sensors are installed on the valves rather than inside the wheel and tyre unit. This means tyres don’t have to be demounted, further emphasising the ease of operations.

The data is uploaded to the Goodyear cloud. This gives maintenance managers and operators instant access and reporting through the Goodyear Fleet Manager app. If there is a low tyre pressure alert, the system highlights this immediately¹. This reduces the risk of unexpected downtime, most critical in fully automated port operations and allows targeted servicing and preventive maintenance of AGVs.

Starting the final race weekend with already 10 wins in the season, he was positioned in pole position to take his third title however it was not yet a done deal. With 60 points to play for in Italy, the top 3 was not yet fully decided prior to the race.

After a hard-fought season and 6 thrilling race weekends of the FIA European Truck Racing Championship on Goodyear tyres, Kiss confirmed his reputations as the fastest driver of his generation in the FIA ETRC with 276 points overall in the books. Second place went to Sascha Lenz with 227 points and Adam Lacko completed the top 3 podium, 24 points behind Lenz.

Norbert Kiss, Révész Truck Racing team and 2021 FIA ETRC Champion: “This great achievement did not start with the first race, it started back in December in the workshop. Truck racing is much like Formula 1 as it takes a lot of technical development and finetuning to optimize the performance of the truck and how the different parts work together, including the tyres. It’s a great pleasure to work with the team and I’m very proud. Being a new team, it is amazing how we could build up to this momentum in just 1 or 2 years and take the lead in the championship. Competition was fierce as we were all fighting for each victory and no mistakes where allowed.”

Close racing within the Goodyear Cup

Shane Brereton won the #Goodyear Cup, the truck racing competition for up-and-coming talent also racing on Goodyear tyres. Aged 52, he started his Truck Racing career in 2015 and this is his second Promoter cup title within FIA ETRC.

Until Le Mans, the Goodyear Cup was led by Téo Calvet of the Buggyra squad. The same weekend, promising talent Calvet became the youngest driver ever to win the French Truck Racing Championship with only 20 years on the dashboard. Just 20 years after his father Fabien Calvet, won the same title.
Téo Calvet finished second in the final rankings of the 2021 Goodyear Cup.

Third podium place of the Goodyear Cup goes to another talent, Steffen Faas, he switched his racing career from cars to the big wheels in 2017.

 Team Goodyear: trusted tyre partner of FIA ETRC and supporting the move to sustainable racing

Maciej Szymanski, Marketing Director for Commercial Europe within Goodyear: “For Goodyear, having been the long-standing official tyre partner to the FIA EUROPEAN TRUCK RACING CHAMPIONSHIP and Goodyear Cup, 2021 has been amazing. Teams were eager to race again in front of spectators and it was a true honor to support all of them once more throughout the entire series. This season was also marked by the introduction of HVO biofuel, 100% renewable, an important step towards sustainable and competitive truck racing. As we are supporting leading transportation companies across Europe in lowering their carbon footprint on a daily basis without adding complexity, we are fully supportive of ETRC’s positive actions for sustainability moving forward.”

Goodyear has revealed five TruckForce Service Excellence Award winners for the third quarter for 2021, following the creation of the Awards earlier this year. The Awards showcase first-class customer service across the tyre company’s pan-European TruckForce network. The third quarter winners may come from five different countries, but they all share a goal to deliver high performance and initiatives that benefit their commercial fleet customers.

Showing the TruckForce spirit is German partner Reifenhandel Mielke. The company has adopted Goodyear’s Total Mobility programme for local logistics companies including advanced telematics and predictive analysis technology. The smart tyre monitoring portfolio helps fleet managers to identify and resolve tyre-related issues, including safety issues, before they happen. Based near Paderborn, the company has successfully demonstrated the benefits of Goodyear’s intelligent Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (Goodyear TPMS) to help its customers achieve higher levels of safety and efficiency.

Belgian TruckForce partner Banden Michel has long been a strong promoter of the Goodyear package of fleet solutions. It has championed the concept of regrooving and retreading to promote fleet efficiency to its customers. The quality of Goodyear casings gives multiple lives to tyres and Banden Michel has truly focused on demonstrating the cost and sustainability benefits of the Goodyear Retreading program to its customer base.

The other three award winners are based in southern Europe, highlighting the geographical scope of the Goodyear TruckForce Service Network. Long-term Goodyear partner Tsiakalos Safe Tyres has provided Greek transportation companies with an outstanding commitment to quality and service, offering a best-in-class 24/7/365 service, resulting in regular praise from local customers. This makes it a worthy recipient of a quarterly award for service excellence.

In Romania, Dumivest is based close to the Hungarian border on a major trucking route. It has delivered high quality service to key contracted commercial accounts, and has reduced paperwork and time consuming administration for its customers by encouraging them to embrace the use of Goodyear’s innovative online eJob maintenance system in their day-to-day operations.

Finally, Autotransporti Zupancic, located in Slovenia in a strategically important route near the Croatian border, has been commended by Goodyear for top-class fleet service provision, as a leading user of Goodyear eJob, and commitment to Goodyear ServiceLine24h roadside assistance. Thanks to their 24/7 service operation and ability to respond to calls on the Slovenian highway as an approved national provider, they enable Goodyear to ensure the mobility of vehicles in the region.

TruckForce Community Spirit Award

In the world of trucking, stories of heroism and community spirit abound. In the UK, Steven Cruddas, a technician at TruckForce in Derby, went above and beyond in his work to ensure the health and safety of a customer.

Upon arriving at a call-out, Steven realised the driver was having chest pains. With a two-hour delay for an ambulance at the height of the pandemic, Steven made the decision to take the driver to hospital himself and ensure he was treated at the earliest opportunity. Steven then returned to the vehicle to complete the job as well as ensuring it was safe to be left unattended.

Adam Stanton, European Network & Service Manager for Goodyear Commercial, commented: “We are proud to extend our five winners’ awards as well as a certificate of appreciation for exceptional community and customer care. All the award winners show that teamwork, the use of innovation, initiative and customer focussed spirit can deliver for TruckForce custom

Managing such a large fleet, operating in multiple locations and servicing a wide variety for global customers requires the support of trusted smart fleet management systems. Goodyear Fleet Online Solutions (FOS) supports the entire TIP fleet from road assistance and vehicle inspection to getting the most out of the tyre lifetime and managing uptime and costs. The extended 5-year contract includes the Goodyear Total Mobility customizable end-to-end offer including retreading, advanced Proactive Solutions and the support of a broad service network of over 2000 locations in Europe alone.

“We were one of the first customers working with FleetOnlineSolutions on such a large scale, back in 2006. Since then Goodyear continued to tailor the system to our needs while the company was growing and transitioning into the digital era. We value the way the team thinks with us, building on their in-house innovation capabilities to find the right solution for our demanding operations. Whether this is related to the fleet and tyre management itself, secure data transfer or supporting us in offering added-value to our customers” says Paul Beadle, COO at TIP.

Digitalization is key to enhance efficiency and profitability

The transportation and logistics industry is getting more and more connected to manage today’s fluctuating demand and increasing time pressure. Fleet operators need to manage multi-faced operations keeping the overview on all vehicles on the move or at times parked for a longer time across Europe. A single, simple solution is crucial to ensure consistency and keep track of the entire asset tyre management, maintenance actions performed and availability of a broad network of expert service providers.

FleetOnlineSolutions is a user-friendly digital tyre and fleet management platform putting commercial fleets in complete control by providing accurate and timely information via PC, laptop or mobile device. It provides the complete picture from vehicles and their respective locations, to tyre policy and agreed terms.

“Today we are managing over 400.000 trucks and trailers across Europe in FleetOnlineSolutions and the added value for our customers is clear in terms of operational efficiency, increased uptime, decreased cost of ownership, faster service, ease of invoicing and admin, …. The long-term partnership with TIP proves it is a trusted customer-centric solution, able to manage even the most complex operations in the field. We are looking forward to continue working closely together to further excel in customer satisfaction and to support any further growth as we see the demand for rental trucks and trailers increasing, enabling TIP and other fleets to address fluctuations in demand” says Alberto Villarreal, Managing Director Fleet Europe & Proactive Solutions for Goodyear Commercial.

The pan-European scope eases transactions locally and offers consistency of pricing and service internationally. Fleets can opt for a ‘Pay as you go’ plan or ‘Price per kilometer’, depending on their needs and offering full transparency on cost drivers, at one glance.

On the road assistance and maintenance side, detailed reports can be shared with any Goodyear service provider to enhance prompt, consistent and efficient service further reducing admin and costs via a direct invoicing system and agreed tyre policy plan.

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About TIP

Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, TIP is one of Europe and Canada’s leading equipment service providers, specialising in trailer leasing, rental, maintenance and repair, as well as other value-added services and provides these to transportation and logistics customers across Europe and Canada. TIP services customers from more than 120 locations spread over 18 countries in Europe and Canada. For more information, please visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn.

About Goodyear

Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. It employs about 72,000 people and manufactures its products in 55 facilities in 23 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio, and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg, strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. For more information about Goodyear and its Commercial products, visit our website or follow us on Linkedin.

The new range will support thousands of European fleets and truck manufacturers to reduce the carbon footprint by combining the fuel efficiency levels known in long-haul applications with the durability, traction and mileage required to drive on secondary and state roads. The company states the new product line is the most versatile fuel-efficient it has ever produced and underlines all sizes feature a B- label in fuel efficiency¹ while offering a leading performance in inter-regional applications.

The sustainability dilemma

Sustainability is a key focus area across different stakeholders and industries. The European Commission presented in December 2019, the European Green Deal aiming to become the first climate neutral continent by 2050 and including an ambitious primary target to reduce net green gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.

Goodyear’s decision to come with a new range that focuses on both fuel efficiency and endurance is anticipating the move towards more sustainable transport and evolving demand for more versatile products by both transportation companies and truck manufacturers.

Efficient and long-lasting performance

As a new standard tyre fitment for new trucks, the range covers a wide variety of haulage applications while supporting manufacturers to further lower emissions levels of new heavy-duty-vehicles by 2% on average in comparison to a C-label tyre for fuel efficiency.¹ In line with Europe’s overall ambition, CO2 emissions of new production commercial vehicles need to be reduced by 15% from 2025 onwards and even double, 30% as of 2030 in comparison to 2019-20 baseline.

Until now transportation operators often had to choose between durability, strong mileage performance or excellent fuel efficiency when it comes to tyres. FUELMAX ENDURANCE is designed to make that choice easier for fleet managers who are seeking cost and fuel efficiency as they are no longer limited by the type of road they operate on.

Key development focus areas

While setting new standards, Goodyear engineers focused on bridging three conflicting areas in the development spectrum to secure fuel efficiency and low emissions versus 1. mileage, 2. traction and 3. versatility.

As a starting point, the development of the new product line is based around demonstrated Goodyear technologies. On top, customized innovations for the steer and drive axle positions extend Goodyear’s established fuel efficiency capabilities to a wider range of routes, while safeguarding traction, grip and mileage trough a robust, versatile design.²

The FUELMAX S ENDURANCE steer tyre combines Goodyear’s proven IntelliMax Rib Technology in a 5 or 6 rib design with ingenuity in the rib distribution and groove geometry. The stiffeners in the shoulder grooves connect when the tyre rolls increasing the robustness of tyre and limiting wear in more demanding off-highway journeys, where stop-start driving, curb stone impact, increased turning and manoeuvring and more braking put additional demands on tyres.

The increased tread depth on selected steer sizes results in more wearable rubber³, providing better grip later in the service life. An innovative low energy-loss tread compound offsets heat generation caused by load forces on the steer position. A number of steer tyres also feature an optimized sidewall compound further contributing to lower emissions and fuel efficiency as it decreases flexion and deformation of the sidewall in off-highway operations.

In addition, to the innovative tread compound for use on the drive axle, the drive tyre benefits of a dedicated curing process to further optimize rolling resistance. The directional tread design includes a high number of deep sipes, deep centre grooves and more biting edges to improve traction and evacuate water more effectively.

By combining recognized and new technologies, the full FUELMAX ENDURANCE range provides high fuel efficiency (B-label), with enhanced robustness, late life grip and traction. Both steer and drive tyres are featuring the 3PMSF certification and are equipped with RFID enabling connected tyre management.

More sustainability by adding extra service life with Goodyear Retreading and intelligent solutions

Underlining Goodyear’s commitment to the circular economy the new FUELMAX ENDURANCE is fully compatible with Goodyear’s Retreading program. The drive tyre will be available as a premium TreadMax moldcure retread adding extra mileage while providing the same features and benefits as the new innovative tread and reducing tyre costs up to 30%⁴.

In combination with Goodyear’s smart tyre monitoring solutions including Goodyear TPMS, Drive-Over-Reader and most recently launched DrivePoint, the service life and fuel efficiency can be significantly enhanced. Further supporting transportation companies in their move towards a more sustainable future.

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For FACTSHEETS FUELMAX ENDURANCE STEER & DRIVE TYRE : see downloads

¹ EU tyre label: all sizes of the new FUELMAX ENDURANCE product line feature a B-label for fuel efficiency.
Numbers based on VECTO calculation when switching from KMAX GEN-2 (C-label for fuel efficiency) to FUELMAX ENDURANCE (B-label
for fuel efficiency)
² Stated optimized technologies and innovations are customized, differentiated by tyre size
³ Comparted to FUELMAX GEN-2 on selected sizes
⁴ Based on internal data from Goodyear Innovations Center in Luxembourg

Today Goodyear is announcing the Sustainable Reality Survey inviting European transport and logistics companies to share their insights contributing to more sustainable transportation.

Climate change and environmental sustainability are high on the agenda of both regulators and industry players. In 2019 the European Green Deal was introduced targeting a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from transport, compared with 1990 levels. In 2020, the EU Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, including 82 initiatives for the next 4 years. The strategy is supporting the green and digital transformation of the transport ecosystem while becoming more resilient to cope with future disruptions.

In total transportation accounts for 25% of the greenhouse gas emissions in Europe¹. CO2 emissions of new heavy-truck trucks are targeted to reduce by 15% in 2025 and 30% by 2030 as measured by VECTO.

On top of the acceleration of the regulatory agenda, customers are including more ‘environmental focused’ requirements in their RFQ’s and end-consumers want to buy more from companies caring for the planet. In daily operations of commercial fleets, the shift towards greener mobility while staying competitive and assuring on-time delivery is requiring a clear strategy and smart actions.

The Sustainable Reality Survey initiated today by Goodyear is a straightforward inquiry on what transportation partners are currently doing to reduce carbon footprint as well as their future plans. It aims to reveal what truck fleets and transport companies are achieving in terms of sustainability – and the everyday commercial obstacles that are in their way. No greenwashing but a real-life look at sustainability in practice. As a recognition for each fleet respondent completing the survey, Goodyear is planting a tree in collaboration with Tree-Nation, a non-profit organisation coordinating reforestation efforts worldwide in a unique platform.

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In addition, Goodyear's technicians conduct winter tire tests in polar regions, such as at the Arctic Test Center in Finland. They also drive on highways in and outside Europe to test the extreme conditions that transport companies face on a daily basis.

Goodyear also uses independent test companies, such as the world-renowned test company TÜV SÜD Automotive GmbH. These companies often compare tires from different manufacturers to show how well Goodyear tires and those of the company's other brands perform.

Field testing is also an important part of Goodyear's testing process. Trucks, buses and coaches often run with Goodyear tires as well as their regular tires so that performance can be compared in real-world conditions.

When Goodyear develops a new truck tire, it must meet 50 different performance criteria before it is produced. Each criterion addresses an important performance characteristic, such as:

• Wet handling
• Braking on wet roads
• Dry road handling op
• Grip in corners
• Durability
• External noise
• Wet traction
• Stability at high speeds
• rolling resistance
• Mileage
• contact pressure
• High speed

And much more ...

All specific winter truck tires are tested for specific performance factors, such as:

• Ice traction
• Braking performance on ice
• Grip on snow (acceleration test for truck tires in the snow)
• Snow traction
• Snow braking performance
• Controllability in the snow
• Climbing hills

And much more ...

It is important to remember that improving one performance can lead to a deterioration of the other. This is evident, for example, from the relationship between rolling resistance and wear. The development of a tread compound that reduces rolling resistance or improves fuel economy usually results in reduced tire life as they wear out faster. Goodyear has been able to make improvements for years without negatively impacting other areas of performance.

The TruckForce Excellence Awards programme was launched by Goodyear earlier this year to recognize exceptional service across the pan-European TruckForce network. The winners have all displayed an outstanding approach in driving high performance, such as adopting new technologies, implementing development and training, showing leadership initiative and making new operational achievements with sustainability in mind.

The winners of the 2021 Second Quarter Goodyear TruckForce Service Excellence Awards include service partners in the United Kingdom, Poland, France, Hungary and Spain.

Firstly, Barking Tyre Services, a UK-based tire-fitting service has been recognized for strong customer collaboration in implementing the Goodyear Total Mobility package and the online eJob process with new customers. Based in the London area, the team has also displayed flexibility in delivering a high level of roadside assistance during an incredibly busy period, providing customers with consistent top-quality service. Similarly, Polish service provider Wulgumex has been recognized for its close collaboration with the Goodyear fleet team, attracting new fleet customers in the quarter. They’ve also demonstrated strong reliability with their ServiceLine24h coverage.

Secondly, two partners in the international Vulco network have been recognized by Goodyear for outstanding service. The French Vulco DOME opened a strategically important branch, improving TruckForce’s coverage in central France, reducing service times for customers in the Clermont-Ferrand area. The franchise has also taken leadership on French eJob usage as well as scoring a close-to-perfect score during the TruckForce quality audit in 2020. Spanish partner, Navaliegos Motor, came out also very high in the audit, while extending its operations through adopting the Goodyear Proactive Solutions retail model and delivering its first Goodyear TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) contract to a local fleet.

Finally, Hungarian Premio partner Kiss Gumi near Budapest has been selected as the fifth award winner. Being one of the leading eJob users in Eastern Europe, they provide high-quality service coverage that strengthens Goodyear’s impressive fleet support package to international customers.

Adam Stanton, European Network & Service Manager for Goodyear Commercial, commented “The TruckForce Excellence Awards allow us to recognize and reward members of our high-performing network. It’s inspiring to see how our partners go above and beyond in providing innovative solutions and, as a result, win new fleets. The second quarter winners have been selected with the emphasis on ensuring smooth operations through business innovation - the titleholders have displayed an outstanding contribution to expanding the Goodyear network and giving businesses a strong reason to choose Goodyear Total Mobility, the one-stop tyre and fleet management solution.”

With a view to streamlining data collection, Goodyear has joined forces with ZF to provide a combined suite of connectivity solutions. This will maximise vehicle and trailer safety, efficiency, and uptime while optimizing fleet operations. This is an important step towards the wide-scale digitisation of the transportation industry.

Grégory Boucharlat, VP commercial Europe at Goodyear, explains the need for this in the industry, he says: “Data can provide so many opportunities to fleets but it's only useful if it's easily accessible. Goodyear has partnered with ZF to provide integrated tyre and vehicle management solutions that will support fleet managers in making decisions and improving efficiency."

The data available to fleet managers has, historically, been fragmented and difficult to access. This makes it much harder for fleet managers to take advantage of digital transformation opportunities; despite the many benefits to being able to use this data to automate processes, use machine learning, and digitise information flows. Not only can this kind of data make a fleet more operationally efficient, but it can also help obtain visibility on environmental impact and regulatory standards.

Goodyear and ZF are coming together to address these challenges and give fleet managers access to these benefits. The interoperable solutions will make it simpler to track data on both tyre and vehicle performance — all through one device. Being able to connect the dots in this way allows fleet managers to see the bigger picture and make more informed decisions.

The strategic collaboration brings together Goodyear's Total Mobility and ZF's advanced Fleet Management Solutions (FMS) capabilities. This expanded suite of harmonized services will offer transportation companies a one-stop solution to manage and understand the information available to them. Combining historical data will also allow for preventative maintenance, which helps to reduce downtime that could cause delays or present potential safety issues for drivers.

Boucharlat adds: “This collaboration will continue to evolve, incorporating innovation from both ZF and Goodyear. We'll be able to increase the value of the data and present more solutions to fleet managers to help further improve competitiveness."

The transportation industry is in the midst of a digital revolution. OEMs and fleets that are able to embrace this now will have more data to work with in the future. This can inform everything from operations to maintenance and beyond.

Alberto Villarreal, Managing Director Proactive Solutions and Fleet for Goodyear Commercial Europe said: “With DrivePoint, tyre pressure checks take just seconds to perform. Regular checks help to increase uptime whilst maximising fuel efficiency and reducing fleet’s carbon footprint. In addition to our other advanced and predictive solutions, it’s an easy to install solution that will meet the needs of many operators who want to maximize their fleets’ uptime while reducing their operating costs.”

Easy to install and advanced data-access

The Goodyear DrivePoint comprises on-valve tire pressure sensors and on-yard battery-powered receivers that read the pressure status in all the tires instantly while a vehicle is driving through them.

Collected data is uploaded to the Goodyear cloud providing easy access and reporting via the Goodyear Fleet Manager mobile and web IOS and Android friendly applications. If the pressure is below the recommended level the fleet manager receives an immediate alert in order to avoid a potential tire incident that could result in a vehicle stoppage and breakdown costs.

This new solution does not require demounting of the tyre as the sensors can be quickly installed on the valves reducing installation complexity and associated downtime. It is especially developed for transport and logistics companies looking for an easy-to-use yet very efficient tyre pressure monitoring solution.

“DrivePoint adds a cost-effective ‘on-yard’ alternative for our customers. The system is easy-to-install and requires minimum follow-up maintenance. It offers the fleet full visibility on the tyre pressure levels of each vehicle enabling them to plan maintenance more effectively. Frequent vehicle tyre checks help reduce the chance of missed deliveries due to vehicle downtime. They also help to ensure maximized safety, efficiency and sustainability. Our focus is on delivering solutions that drive results for fleet operators and bring added value to their customers.,” added Villarreal.

More information

Goodyear DrivePoint Factsheet 
Goodyear DrivePoint webpage

Supporting new talent

Goodyear continues its extended commitment in the FIA European Truck Racing Championship and is proud to continue its support of new talent in ETRC with the continuation of the Goodyear Cup, promoting the star drivers of tomorrow.

The Goodyear Cup is only open to the less experienced drivers in ETRC, excluding drivers such as former champions and the top eight from the prior season. This gives the up and coming drivers an opportunity to get more media attention and compete for their own prizes and points.

Maciej Szymanski, Marketing Director for Goodyear Commercial Europe: “Goodyear is at the forefront of global motorsport, we have a long standing commitment to the ETRC and we are proud to be able to take a role in promoting and celebrating up and coming talent. The Goodyear Cup will bring more attention to these future stars, their sponsors and partners.”

Rolf Werner, Managing Director at ETRA: “We are very pleased to welcome Goodyear again as the title sponsor of the Promoter’s Cup. Goodyear has been a valued long-term partner and the extension of their commitment in the Chrome driver category is a strong signal in difficult times that underlines their support of the sport.”

Learning from the racetrack

The Goodyear truck racing tire has the same 315/70R22.5 size and carcass technology as many Goodyear on-road products but has a unique asymmetrical design. The design has been optimised to obtain the best pressure distribution in contact with the ground, the best strength and better performance. The 5.1 mm grooves allow efficient water evacuation but combined with a stiff construction and a tread to tarmac contact area of 89% to give optimum dry grip, braking and traction.

These racing tires are developed by the same team that works on Goodyear’s high technology truck tires including the acclaimed KMAX-GEN 2 and FUELMAX-GEN 2 ranges. “This means the learnings from the racetrack and the road can easily and quickly transfer between the respective experts to help maintain Goodyear’s leadership position in truck tire development. On the road, Goodyear’s truck tires have to cope with high mileage fleets, have the strength and durability to reduce downtime, as well as heavy urban stop-start use. These tires use technology cascaded from Goodyear’s ETRC experience. Racing gives our engineers an insight into how advanced materials respond to high-speed kerb impacts, high temperatures, heavy braking, and huge torque figures,” added Szymanski.

Pan-European racing

The Hungaroring weekend features the fan-friendly ETRC format of four action-packed races. The championship then visits the Nürburgring in Germany for two four-race rounds, before racing at Most (Czech Republic), Zolder (Belgium), Le Mans (France), Jarama (Spain) and Misano (Italy).

The Hungaroring is one of the most popular events for fans on the ETRC calendar thanks to its proximity to major cities, neighbouring countries and being just 20 km from Budapest. Fans are core to the ETRC, drawn by the noise and drama of a packed grid of race-prepared 1,500 hp trucks, all based on road-going 4x2 tractor units. Thanks to strict COVID-19 testing and precautions, the ETRC weekend will be one of the first international motorsport events to be able to welcome fans back through the gates in 2021. The Hungaroring celebrates 35 years since its first Formula 1 Grand Prix this month, a race that was won by Nelson Piquet in his Goodyear-shod Williams.

More information can be found on the Official Site of FIA European Truck Racing Championship (fiaetrc.com).

The expanded suite of high performing tyres and interoperable data-driven tyre and fleet management solutions will offer transportation companies a one-stop solution enabling more efficient and sustainable operations. The customizable value proposition offered by Goodyear and ZF will further ease the digital transformation process for fleets and OEMS by connecting multiple data streams from one common telematics hardware.

“The turnkey proposition proposed by Goodyear and ZF is addressing the growing complexity linked to demanding fleet operations,” said Grégory Boucharlat, Vice President, Commercial Europe for Goodyear. “It enables operators to stay agile and make informed decisions to boost vehicle uptime, promote more economical driving, extend the service life of tyres and assets, lower emissions and improve customer service delivery management based on an integrated tyre and fleet dataset translated into actionable insights.”

“ZF’s collaboration with Goodyear harnesses the expertise and extensive capabilities of two industry-leaders behind a shared conviction to offer European fleets and trailer builders the benefits of a one-stop Fleet Management solution.“ said Peter Bal, Business Leader – Digital Customer Services, EMEA with ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Control System division. “Our ability to supply an integrated solution, with reduced hardware investment, means customers can benefit from simplified operations as they seek to gain further efficiency, as well as enhanced safety and cargo security.”

One-stop solution for smart tyre and trailer managementIn 2019, Goodyear introduced its customizable Goodyear Total Mobility value proposition, providing full tyre monitoring and management insights from mounting the right tyres per type of operations, planning proactive maintenance and retreading. The innovative offer includes the Goodyear Tyre Pressure Monitoring system with proprietary G-Predict algorithm providing real-time proactive alerts and preventing up to 90% of tyre related breakdowns.¹ 

Through an interoperable and flexible solution, based on a single telematics unit, called TX-TRAILERPULSE^TM, customers can now access the services and support of both companies including ZF’s Transics FMS solutions:

• combining TX-TRAILERPULSE^TM solution and TX-TRAILERFIT^TM insights with FleetOnlineSolutions tyre management of Goodyear will provide a full view on the performance, usage and health of both tyres and the trailer park. Fleets will benefit in terms of faster service, precise tyre mileage insights, avoiding premature tyre change and trailer maintenance. Truck and trailer rental companies can provide increased transparency linked to accurate trailer and tyre-use by the end customer.
• TX-CONNECT^TM shares real-time data on the trailer position, geofencing, traffic and enables customer’s cargo follow-up. Service providers can access the data as well to plan proactive maintenance during waiting and resting times.

The integrated tyre and fleet management offer will bring visibility and operational efficiency to a new height, in terms of:

• Flexibility - customers select a service and solution package in line with their needs
• Simplification - one common hardware and integrated dashboard providing tyre, vehicle and cargo management data access, allowing further integration of brand-agnostic systems already used in the daily operations.
• Time-savings – fact-based decision making and actionable insights to prevent downtime and plan proactive maintenance. Comprehensive set-up resulting in shorter installation time.
• Customer experience – both partners will provide expert road and fleet assistance via a strong pan-European service network.

Supporting advanced mobility and sustainable transport objectivesThe collaboration will build on its joint data-driven monitoring and predictive analytics capabilities to help EU trailer OEMS and commercial fleets smoothly transition to future regulations including the GSR5 TPMS regulations requiring HCV’s to be progressively equipped with TPMS as of July 2022. As well as the EU General Safety Regulation mandated advanced safety functions.

Supporting greener mobility, smart monitoring technology and low rolling resistance tyres are striving to contribute to positively impacting total vehicle CO2 emissions. For example, a 100-truck fleet can lower its emissions by 4% and TCO by €40,000 a year, through fuel-cost savings by using low rolling resistance tyres.²

Moving forward, the partners will continue to deliver the very latest, future-proof and customized support for large fleets and trailer manufacturersacross Europe. 

More information can be found on Goodyear Truck. 

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¹. Comparison of 50 fleets and after installation of Goodyear TPMS in 2019, based on internal field tests.

^2. Potential savings based on a Goodyear calculation model, taking into account the rolling resistance performance of new tyres. Actual savings may vary based upon vehicle condition and maintenance, traffic conditions, driver behaviour and other factors.

Specialising in the complete lifecycle management of truck tyres, TruckForce operates the length and breadth of the UK, offering services that range from routine on-site maintenance to roadside assistance in the event of a tyre-related breakdown. It provides these services for numerous high-profile fleets, including those operated by large organisations such as Warburtons and Reynolds Logistics.

TruckForce has already made significant headway in its plans to increase both its headcount and the number of vans in its fleet by 30%, representing the largest expansion that the team has seen in seven years. With Goodyear having been recently appointed as the tyre and mobility solutions partner to a number of high-profile fleets over the past few months, TruckForce has begun to support an additional 20,000 trucks, trailers and vans throughout the UK. This growth will therefore be invaluable to providing extended support for both new and existing customers.

TruckForce operates from a network of strategically located hubs, in order to provide customers with national coverage. As part of this growth strategy, it has begun to adjust the profile of its existing hubs to reflect the evolving needs of the transportation industry. Its Yorkshire hub, for example, has been relocated to Rotherham, and the Derbyshire hub has moved to Derby in order to open a national training facility for new technicians.

The expansion will also see the creation of two new operational roles. These roles will be responsible for overseeing the day to day running of the TruckForce network and ensuring that it continues to excel in meeting customer needs. They will also see that the network is adhering to all necessary Health and Safety requirements.

Richard Tawlks, Manager of TruckForce Equity UK, comments: “This is a period of significant growth for our business, and the fact that it’s taking place is a reflection of the huge amount of hard work put in by our team. It’s a testament to the service that we provide for our customers and the confidence that they have in us. However, this is also an incredibly challenging time for the industry. The pandemic has put a real strain on fleets, with commercial organisations playing a vital role in keeping the UK moving, and we’re very proud to have been on hand to support. Now, with the UK opening up again, this expansion underway and the new contracts that Goodyear has recently taken on, it’s an incredibly exciting time for us at TruckForce. We can’t wait to see where this next step takes us.”

The choice of all-electric trucks is growing. The Mercedes-Benz eActros and Volvo FE Electric have ranges of up to 200kms, the DAF CF Electric can travel 250kms. Electric HDVs are most suited for urban use, where truck tyres can be responsible for up to 20% of CO2 emissions. For long haul usage, gas-powered HDVs offer one efficiency option, with hydrogen technology presenting another. Comparable refuelling times and driving ranges to diesel are establishing fuel cell as a possible future logistics technology.

Since 2019 – when CO2 emissions in the transport sector were the same as in 1990 – the Vehicle Energy Consumption Calculation Tool (VECTO) has calculated the CO2 emissions and fuel consumption of trucks. Now mandatory for new trucks, an OEM will be fined for not meeting reduced emissions standards, down 15% by 2025 and 30% by 2030. Elements affecting HDV CO2 emissions include aerodynamics, body and trailer weight, engine type, gearbox, payload and tyres. More aerodynamic body designs and efficient engines are making HDVs less polluting, but other factors can contribute. Goodyear supports the sector's sustainability efforts by working with OEMs and hauliers.

Low-rolling resistance tyres save fuel and emissions

Choosing the most suitable vehicle for your operations is important, but there are other actions you can take to reduce your HDV carbon footprint. Low-rolling resistance (LRR) tyres directly impact vehicle emissions and fuel efficiency. Goodyear's FUELMAX range of tyres is designed to enhance fuel economy, help OEMS and fleets meet CO2 emissions targets and increase efficiency, while providing high mileage levels. A 100-truck fleet can lower its TCO up to €40,000 a year, through fuel-cost savings by using LRRs, and LRRs can reduce emissions up to 4%¹.

OEMs are embracing new technologies to hit CO2 emissions goals. A sensor-based TPMS, such as the Goodyear Tyre Monitoring System will alert operators of tyre temperature or pressure changes, preventing downtime and increasing productivity. Under-inflated tyres increase fuel consumption, and even 1 bar of under-inflation can add 900 litres/year in additional costs per vehicle². Monitored by telematic management systems, correct tyre pressures can increase uptime up to 90%³.

Multiple Life gives tyres an extended service life

The Goodyear Multiple Life concept of retreading and regrooving truck tyres reduces costs by as much as 30%, helping extend their service life by as much as 25%⁴. This concept is also more sustainable, and the number of tyres needing to be recycled is reduced. In addition, regular checks to ensure your fleet operates optimally can save costs and reduce your carbon footprint.

Correct tyre choice and maintenance is key to helping sustainability goals and increasing operational efficiency and excellence. Logistics fleets and their customers are demanding ever more sustainable solutions, and the sector is under increasing time and cost pressure. However, with the help of easy to implement data-based solutions and LRR tyres, operational efficiency can be increased while reducing the carbon footprint. The future is, in fact, now, and we have the power to make it a more sustainable one.

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1. Potential savings based on a Goodyear calculation model, taking into account the rolling resistance performance of new tyres. Actual savings may vary based upon vehicle condition and maintenance, traffic conditions, driver behaviour and other factors.

2. Based on following assumptions: 150.000 km/year, 35L/100 km average fuel consumption; 1 bar less inflations = 5% increased rolling resistance = 1,5% higher fuel consumption; Diesel costs 1,15 EUR/l

3. Comparison of 50 fleets before and after installation of Goodyear TPMS in 2019

4. Based on internal analysis, comparing the use of two sets of new Goodyear tyres versus the Multi-Life-Concept using one set of new Goodyear tyres, regrooving, one set of Goodyear TreadMax tyres and again regroving.

The range features a deep tread, an optimised mix of blades and robust blocks and a non-directional tread pattern. This makes them highly versatile and ideal for the operator who has to work in different climates and types of journey. The Fulda REGIO Series 3 range also has the Three Peak Mountain Snow Flake (3PMSF) marking on all axle positions, compliant with the most restrictive winter legislations.

Steering to sustainability

The REGIOCONTROL 3 steer tyre includes a robust 5-rib tread design with solid shoulder ribs to reduce shoulder wear. Compared to its predecessor, the wearable rubber volume has been increased by up to 4% resulting in higher mileage. The distinctive tread pattern has zig-zag sipes to increase grip. Selected sizes have a higher load capability. This makes it ideal for the latest generation of trucks that have a higher weight over the front axle due to EURO 6 and electrification-related components.

Driving force

The drive tyre, REGIOFORCE 3, also has a robust 5-rib, zig-zag groove tread design and semi-open shoulder ribs with stiffeners. This innovation improves water drainage and reduces shoulder wear, providing the traction and mileage potential that value-seeking fleet operators demand. Both the REGIOFORCE 3 and REGIOCONTROL 3 are retreadable and regroovable. This gives an increased service life and reduces the total cost of ownership for operators.

All weather and high-load capability

A high-load trailer tyre requires the same type of technology as the tsractor unit in order to deliver all-weather performance. The REGIOTONN 3 delivers this performance by having deep sipes down to two-thirds of the full tread depth. This means that the tyre provides excellent trailer stability until late in the tyre’s life. Fulda’s innovative design means the REGIOTONN 3 also offers a low rolling resistance, helping fuel efficiency.

The Fulda REGIO Series 3 range is addressing the needs of fleets that are looking for a versatile solution for all on road applications and for exceptional value for money from a trusted brand.

Sizes 

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1. In comparison to its predecessor

When leading airport equipment manufacturer TREPEL was developing its powerful CHARGER 380 tractor, it wanted to ensure it was optimised for long distance towing between terminals and remote positions. At busy airports, a tyre issue or puncture on a towing tractor could bring operations to a standstill causing expensive gridlock on the ground and delays or re-routing in the sky. Therefore, TREPEL turned to Goodyear Proactive Solutions to support them in preventing a potential issue before it even happens.

Bellavance David, Research & Development Manager Towbarless Aircraft Tractors at TREPEL said: “We developed the CHARGER 380 as the most advanced, high power and versatile tractor. Our customers prioritise the safety of passengers and want to reduce the time pressure and complexity in the daily operations. We worked with Goodyear to create a ‘plug and play’ solution. Our CHARGER 380 dashboard has hardwiring to enable Goodyear TPMS data integration. This connected Goodyear technology adds to our range of state-of-the-art electronics. TREPEL has already included high levels of connectivity to provide precision when manoeuvring and the addition of TPMS is a perfect complement to our own safety, logistics and operational electronic technology.

Goodyear’s well-proven Heavy-Duty version of its Tyre Pressure Monitoring System was integrated into TREPEL’s dashboard. This is a landmark industry-first for this application of the Goodyear TPMS system, which normally operates through an app or web platform. The TPMS sensor is built into the tyre and will alert the driver immediately if the pressure and temperature deviates from the recommended operating levels. The sensor can be removed and reinstalled when the tyre is changed.

Eric Ghirelli, Product Manager Off-The-Road EMEA, Goodyear Proactive Solutions said: “The TREPEL CHARGER 380 is massively versatile, being able to haul large aircraft such as the Boeing 777 or Airbus A340-600. Its high torque and weight capacity bring additional challenges on the tyre front. The required level of high load capability, coupled with the risk of wear on abrasive taxiways, mean that tyre pressure is key. Especially, the inner tyres are difficult to check visually, so the incorporated Goodyear TPMS gives added peace of mind to the driver and airport operations team.”

When integrated into the TREPEL CHARGER 380 dashboard, Goodyear TPMS brings time savings during inspection routines, during operations and when planning maintenance.

One button on the dashboard will reveal tyre pressure levels at one glance and prevent downtime by altering the operator to potential issues before they arise. This frequent monitoring will extend the tyre life as the correct tyre pressure level promotes a more regular wear pattern.

The TREPEL CHARGER 380 has the highest engine power on the market and can lift an incredible 41 tonnes. Aircraft manufacturers insist on the highest safety requirements for approved towing vehicles and airport operators can issue severe penalties for delays caused by operational issues. This collaboration on TPMS is a step forward in safety, operational efficiency and airport fleet management.

TruckForce is a Pan-European service provider network specialising in the complete lifecycle management of commercial truck tires, including preventative maintenance, replacement, regrooving, retreading and roadside assistance. With over 2,000 fleet service locations across Europe, Goodyear has chosen to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes who keep transport and logistics moving forward.

In launching the TruckForce Service Excellence Award programme, Goodyear not only wants to highlight the outstanding service from its network partners but also reward those that take a forward-looking approach on topics such as sustainability, training and innovation.

Adam Stanton, European Network & Service Manager for Goodyear Commercial said: “For over two decades, TruckForce has delivered high service levels to commercial vehicle operators across Europe. By promoting both brilliant service delivery and innovative ideas, the awards will drive collaboration between Goodyear, TruckForce partners and our fleet customers to push to address their evolving needs and achieve even higher levels of customer satisfaction in the future.”

To launch the TruckForce awards, Goodyear has announced the first five winners, spanning five of the biggest truck and bus markets in Europe. The winners of the 2021 First Quarter Goodyear TruckForce Service Excellence Awards include service partners in the Netherlands, France, United Kingdom, Germany and Spain.

Starting with Pouw Banden, the Dutch tire specialist’s TruckForce accolade builds on its certification from TUV Netherlands that recognised its work embracing sustainability. Its Nieuwegein depot has an environmental focus with LED lighting and solar panels, an exclusively Euro 6 compliant fleet and even the reusing of air as tires are deflated.

British service partner DMH has been recognised for its commitment and investment to cover new areas of the country through the growth of its fleet service footprint. Similarly, Neumaticos Sureste has embraced Goodyear’s Total Mobility offering by demonstrating the added value of one integrated tyre management to its fleet customers. This smart combination of expert service, predictive tyre maintenance, connected tyre monitoring solutions has helped Spanish operators improve fleet efficiency whilst reducing running costs.

German Reifenborse Arnold and French Yoann Pneus service partners have both been recognised with a TruckForce Award for using eJob to deliver best-in-class service for customers. The innovative eJob tool semi automates and streamlines the total truck and bus fleet inspection process from registration to maintenance, roadside assistance, retreading and warranty. The eJob App allows TruckForce technicians to instantly record and receive job and tyre information on mobile devices, enabling instant access to vehicle information and allowing fleet managers to see the status of the work on their vehicles in real time.

Adam Stanton, European Network & Service Manager for Goodyear Commercial added: “Our first five winners show the breadth and depth of the TruckForce service offering. In an ever more demanding fleet environment, the awards highlight how our service partners are using Goodyear’s Total Mobility initiatives such as FleetOnlineSolutions, Goodyear TPMS, Goodyear Drive-Over-Reader, ServiceLine24h and our Multiple Life tire concept to help customers keep moving in an efficient, safe, professional and cost-effective manner. Our partners keep Europe moving and we are delighted to recognise their initiative and proactivity with the first ever Goodyear TruckForce Service Excellence Awards.”

Connected and electric public transport is playing a large role in the evolution of cities across Europe. Many cities are already running battery-electric and fuel-cell-electric buses but what's next for green mobility?

The future is autonomous

Tests are ongoing with autonomous and semi-autonomous buses to take e-mobility to the next level. Across the globe, Goodyear is involved in a range of different test projects for these vehicles. It's important to study the operation and maintenance areas that need to be addressed for these electric vehicles — including future tyre technology options, too.

In the city centre of Luxembourg, the company is outfitting three 100% electric self-driving shuttle buses with intelligent tyres to better link retail areas around municipalities. On each shuttle, the tyres are equipped with sensors to collect operational data, which Goodyear engineers and data scientists then use to map predictive maintenance and other performance benefits.

Even now, this technology is being put into place to support the move towards advanced electric transport. Within this, there are two prime considerations regarding electric buses. The first is range.

Minimising charging stops

For a city's transport system to run efficiently, the range of an electric bus needs to be predictable and the more miles a single bus can do, the more people it can serve without delay. Tyres play a large role in this because even a small drop in tyre pressure can reduce the range of a heavy vehicle such as a bus. Not only that but the rolling resistance of a tyre can also have an impact on the total range of the bus. To maximise range, Goodyear's low-rolling-resistance tyres have been tested on a variety of buses. Not only do they provide benefits to electric vehicles, but they help ICE vehicles meet VECTO targets, too.

The more power an electric vehicle has to use to turn the wheels, the more battery power it will use. Both the tyre and road surface type can positively or negatively impact rolling resistance. This might seem like an insignificant thing over a single bus journey but by reducing that resistance across a whole fleet of buses travelling across a city, the miles saved soon add up.

When a bus returns to its depot for a charge, this is a great time to check tyre pressures. This job is made simple with the award-winning technology, the Goodyear drive-over-reader, which automatically checks the pressure and condition of the tyres and feeds it back to the fleet manager. Helping to secure no bus will leave the depot with under-inflated tyres that could impact range or even worse cause delays for passengers.

Proper pressures and low rolling resistance can also improve another consideration of electric transport: noise.

Reducing noise pollution

With no noise from an internal combustion engine, the only noise produced by an electric bus is its connection to the road. Tyres with a lower rolling resistance will generate less noise than a standard bus tyre. This is not only great for passengers but also for pedestrians and residents within the city.

Tyre technology is developing quickly, too. In seeing how traditional tyres operate— sound resonates through the cavity that's filled with air — airless constructions, such as the Goodyear DURAWEB can also positively impact the city environment. Not only would these reduce road noise but, without air, they can't go flat. This improves the uptime of fleets.

Electric buses are a vital part of this evolution and forecasts from Interact Analysis state that approximately 40 percent of Europe's new city buses in 2025 will be battery-electric.We can expect our cities to become greener, cleaner and smarter in the coming years.

For many fleets, choosing specific long haul, regional haul or urban tires is the best way to maximise efficiency. But for trucks that have a varied life mixing short haul urban deliveries and highway running, a multi-tasking tire is needed. That’s where the Dunlop SP346+ offers a solution.

Dunlop has worked on optimising the tread pattern to ensure even contact pressure distribution and shoulder robustness. This increases resistance to damage and wear, offering a high mileage and long service life under severe conditions.

Stop-start urban use can place extreme demands on steer tires designed for long-haul use. The flexibility of the SP346+ gives it a durability advantage. The tread pattern features stiffeners that act as rib connectors that reduce the slip of the shoulder ribs when steering, improving wear resistance.

3PMSF marking means all-weather excellence

The new Dunlop SP346+ carries the Three Peak Mountain SnowFlake (3PMSF) symbol. This acts as a passport to pan-European all-weather transportation as regulations require 3PMSF marked tires in winter. This ensures the SP346+ is compliant across Europe, irrespective of local legal requirements.

This all-weather capability comes from the high density zig-zag sipes and grooves. Having a high number of sipes creates more biting edges improves traction and their innovative interlocking design increases the tread stiffness. This technology provides the high mileage potential of a low-rolling resistance tread pattern but with the flexibility to achieve high levels of traction and winter mobility.

“Dunlop SP346+ features a compelling combination of versatility, a robust design with very good mileage and the added benefit of 3PMSF marking. It is a true multi-task steer tire for all on-road applications.” says Maciej Szymanski, Marketing Director for Commercial Europe.

The Dunlop SP346+ 315/70 R 22.5 HL steer tire is launched now and the 315/60 R 22.5 HL will be available by the end of the year. Both are compatible with Dunlop’s wide on-road range including the SP446 drive and SP246 trailer fitments.

Sizes

Last year, Goodyear announced a strategic partnership to provide tires and tire management solutions to TuSimple’s Autonomous Freight Network (AFN), the world’s first autonomous network. As an AFN partner, Goodyear will conduct wear studies to better predict maintenance, understand tire longevity and reduce the carbon impact of fleets.

“We are excited to build upon Goodyear’s relationship with TuSimple through this investment,” said Abhijit Ganguly, senior manager, Goodyear Ventures. “TuSimple's autonomous technology, combined with its vision of autonomous freight as a service, has the potential to create a lot of value in the commercial freight industry.”

To learn more about Goodyear Ventures, visit www.goodyearventures.com. For more information about TuSimple, go to www.tusimple.com.

For 2021, Goodyear will continue its partnership with the winning KAMAZ Master team. In 2020, the team secured first and second positions in the Dakar Rally after 12 challenging stages. This was the 17th win for the team and a fantastic addition to Goodyear's motorsport track record as the team's official tyre partner.

Before the rally moved to Saudi Arabia for 2020, it'd found a home traversing the terrain of South America. Those who attempt the rally are familiar with all manner of obstacles, but the 2020 event offered lots of new challenges including sharp rocks and sand — and lots of it. As well as ensuring the vehicles are in the right condition to tackle this tricky terrain, there's another important part of the equation; tyres. The only contact point between the sand, rocks, hazardous descents, and anything else competitors might face, it's paramount they are working hard for the team.

The perfect partnership

Goodyear's standard Offroad ORD tyres proved to be the perfect companion for the KAMAZ Master team as they tackled the world's toughest rally. The deep non-skid tread dedicated off-road compound, and improved resistance to cuts make this range perfectly suited to sandy, rocky conditions.

The Dakar Rally is also the perfect proving ground for these products. With unpredictable conditions over the 12-day journey, they need to be able to withstand whatever is thrown at them, propelling the team towards the finish line around 7500km away.

A robust product that lasts, withstands cracking, is resistant to damage, and avoids holding stones and sharp objects, is key to the team's success. The tyres also have to be able to withstand the temperature build-up as they drive through the desert — with pilots making sure that tyre pressures are always correct so the truck doesn't get stuck in the sand.

In the 2020 rally, many teams struggled on the rubber-front but not KAMAZ Master as team pilot Dmitry Sotnikov highlights:

These extreme conditions are the ultimate test bed for the products that reach commercial vehicle fleets around the world. Resistance to damage and the longevity of the tyre are just as vital to a road-going commercial vehicle as it is to team KAMAZ Master's rally-ready truck.

Looking ahead to 2021

If all goes as planned, the 2021 Dakar Rally will start in Jeddah on 3 January and will pause for its rest day in Ha'il on 9 January before completing the last half of the route and finishing back in Jeddah on 15 January. This is set to be another event full of potential surprises across the sandy, rocky terrain of the Middle East.

The event is just as much about skill as it is speed, and expert tyre management plays a vital role in the success of the teams. Once again, KAMAZ Master will run on Goodyear's Offroad ORD tyres, giving them a great chance to take home yet another Dakar win.

To find out more about the 2021 Dakar rally, which begins on 3 January, visit the Dakar