Global News: Goodyear Tire Wins Popular Science Innovation Award

An innovative tire from Goodyear, with elements such as a Fuel-Saving Tread Compound, has been named one of the "100 Most Innovative Products of the Year" by Popular Science magazine.

The Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max has been named to Popular Science’s "Best of What’s New" 2009 list of products in the Automotive Technology category. The tire is featured in a special section of the December issue, which is available this month, along with special coverage at the magazine’s Web site, www.popsci.com.

"We are pleased to be honored by the editors of Popular Science for the innovation represented in the Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max tire," said Steve McClellan, Goodyear’s North American president, consumer tires. "Our product development process follows a market-back path – learning what consumers want and then building tires that deliver innovative benefits.

"Goodyear works hard to make sure the technology is relevant to the consumer’s wants. Honors such as this, and the complementing strong consumer demand for our tires, confirm that direction."

Mark Jannot, editor-in-chief of Popular Science, said, "The Best of What’s New Award is the magazine’s top honor, and the 100 winners – chosen from among thousands of entrants – represent the highest level of achievement in their fields. For 22 years, Popular Science has honored the innovations that surprise and amaze us – those that make a positive impact on our world today and challenge our views of what’s possible in the future."

The Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max tire features a proprietary fuel-saving tread compound that helps reduce energy loss as the tire rolls, so less gas is required to keep the tire rolling. The 4 percent improvement in highway fuel economy delivered by the new Fuel Max tires means, in essence, drivers can save 2,600 miles worth of gas over the life of a set of 4 tires.*

Earlier this year, fuel economy experts Helen and John Taylor set a "48 Contiguous U.S. States Fuel Economy Guinness World Record," driving a car equipped with Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max tires. This three-week, 9,000+ mile drive through all 48 contiguous states in the U.S., showcased the potential fuel savings from the breakthrough fuel-efficient tread compound found in the new tires.

Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max tires also have been selected as original equipment fitments for recognized fuel-efficient vehicles, such as the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, 2010 Ford Fusion S, and 2010 Toyota Prius.

Credits: wilswong