To ensure that tyres are still suitable for road use during this festive season, Goodyear Malaysia is urging Malaysians to also obtain “new shoes” for their vehicles.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions for the past two-years, more people are taking advantage of long-distance travel this year. And with unpredictable weather to deal with, Goodyear, a company that consistently explores the possibilities of tyre technology, wants to encourage Malaysians to perform all necessary checks on their tyres.
Goodyear Malaysia has added another choice in its Assurance range with the launch of the new Assurance ComfortTred. The new tyre is intended for use with premium and luxury passenger vehicle models (including EVs) in the local market.
With premium vehicles, there is expectation of comfort and quietness, which the Assurance ComfortTred is said to excel in, as promised with the advertising tagline of ‘Serenity Redefined’. “We believe that the new Assurance ComfortTred is a true comfort provider that enables the vehicle to become a quiet space for the riders to recharge themselves, gather their thoughts and share moments with people they cherish,” said Alex Ng, Managing Director of Goodyear Malaysia.
Goodyear Malaysia recently donated RM30,000 worth of tyres to St. John Ambulance Malaysia (SJAM) to help improve the safety of the ambulances and passengers. The tyre company has been a sponsor of the organisation since 2006 as part of its support for the local humanitarian efforts in helping Malaysians in need.
The ambulance services from St. John Ambulance Malaysia provide 24-hour response to emergency calls, including transporting COVID-19 patients. At the peak of the pandemic, St. John Ambulance Malaysia transported over 400 COVID-19 patients to the Klang Hospital.
Goodyear Malaysia actively organises humanitarian initiatives to help the communities in need. Over the years, besides the St. John Ambulance, it has also supported Pertubuhan Amal Uncle Kentang Malaysia (since 2021) with tyre sponsorship of approximately 1,000 tyres in total, which were fitted to more than 50 ambulances.
About the SJAM The SJAM has a history going back to 1885 when it was first established in the region in Singapore. Form humble beginnings with 6 out of 56 pupils passing an examination in ‘First Aid to the Injured’, the organisation has grown to over 60,000 volunteers in Malaysia.
These volunteers are found at various sporting events, festivals, parades and other functions, big or small. They also assist in disasters like floods, fires, landslides, plane crashes, etc. In total, they serve up to 3.6 million man-hours annually, providing various services.
SJAM has local 24-hour emergency as well as non-emergency ambulance services. Annually during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Chinese New Year periods, SJAM volunteers are also on standby along the North-South Highway and the Federal trunk roads. SJAM also provides community services such as haemodialysis centres, and Nursing Home.
To know more about SJAM or to find out how you can be a volunteer, visit sjam.org.my.
Goodyear Malaysia’s Worry-Free Assurance (WFA) programme has been in the market almost ten years, having been introduced in 2013. It was initially offered with just one (the Assurance TripleMax) but within a short time, other tyres in the brand’s range were also included.
The original WFA programme had a straightforward benefit: if there were damages by road hazards, there would be free tyre replacement or partial credit for purchase of new Goodyear tyres, depending on the tread depth.
Goodyear Malaysia has now made improvements to the programme with extra benefits for motorists. “Since the Malaysian government announced the endemic phase in May, the number of cars on the road has seen an increase of two-fold compared to 2019. As such, we want to encourage our customers to be aware of their vehicle tyre’s health so they can drive with peace of mind. As an advocate of on-the-road safety, we believe the new Worry-Free Assurance programme will help our customers stay safe and have an enjoyable drive for the long run,” said Alex Ng, Managing Director of Goodyear Malaysia.
Modern tyres are tough but can still be damaged by some road hazards. If that happens with Goodyear tyres, you could get a free replacement.
Added benefits for customers The new WFA programme is available at no extra cost for all customers who purchase any new Goodyear consumer tyres and now there is no minimum purchase as a condition. However, as before, motorists who have Goodyear tyres that come fitted as standard on their new vehicle will not have WFA coverage.
Customers who register for WFA will enjoy the security of a 1-year Road Hazard Warranty from the date of purchase. They will be eligible for a free 1-to-1 exchange if tyres are damaged beyond repair caused by road hazards such as potholes and/or sharp objects during normal driving. The tyres should have a tread depth of 5.0 mm and above to qualify for the exchange. This new feature is an extension of the previous WFA with 6-month coverage with a minimum tread depth of 6.0 mm.
Free tyre safety check The new WFA programme ensures that the tyres are in optimal condition by providing 2 free tyre safety checks. Customers may return to the original Goodyear Autocare centre where they purchased their tyres from for these safety checks on the sixth and twelfth months after the date of purchase.
Warranty up to 5 years Goodyear Malaysia has updated their terms and condition where the 5-year limited warranty will cover 5 years from the date of purchase stated in the original invoice, instead of from the manufacturing date on the tyres. This is fairer to the customer since the tyres might not be sold immediately after they leave the factory.
However, in the event that the original invoice is not available, the limited warranty will cover the tyres from the date of manufacturing instead. Under this warranty, Goodyear also covers manufacturing defects in workmanship or materials used.
In the event that the original invoice is not available, the limited warranty will cover the tyres from the date of manufacturing instead. Under this warranty, Goodyear also covers manufacturing defects in workmanship or materials used.
Easy registration online The process of registering for WFA is easy as it can be done online with submission of scans of the receipt and WFA card number. Each tyre purchase should come with a WFA card but if it is not available should a claim be made (or for the safety check), customers can print out the WFA online registration instead.
With the continuing popularity of SUVs, a segment which has been growing since the 1990s, Goodyear Malaysia has added a new tyre to cater for SUVs in the middle range. Earlier, in 2017, the company had introduced the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV which was for the more expensive models from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Now, with the new Assurance MaxGuard SUV, they cover models in a lower segment as prices start from RM375.
The Assurance line of tyres is developed more for modern SUVs, differentiating it from the older Wrangler line which could be considered more ‘hardcore’. The Wrangler has also been available but its construction philosophy has been oriented more towards pick-up trucks and the workhorse 4×4 SUVs.
The Assurance range, on the other hand, is comfort-oriented since SUVs today are used on the road more than off-road. They are also used more for personal transport than for hauling heavy cargo to sites in the jungle. So the requirements of customers will be different and Goodyear understand this.
Of course, the nature of a SUV still makes it possible for the vehicle to go off-road, although perhaps not on serious expeditions deep into the jungle. But many people who own such vehicles may also use them to go to the seaside or on trails to fishing ponds or for other types of recreation. Therefore, there is still a need for the tyre to be robust to cope with rocks and rough terrain. This is where the Assurance MaxGuard SUV tyre’s ‘2-in-1 protection’ comes in to provide a balance of grip and braking for road use, and durability when driving on rough roads.
With Goodyear’s ActiveGrip Technology, the tyre is claimed to be able to brake in shorter distances on wet roads and also provide good handling and stability. This is achieved by its tread design with an increased number of multi-biting edges and optimized distribution. Goodyear’s claims were made based on factory tests using a Honda CR-V and comparing to the Wrangler Triplemax.
The tyre also uses blended silica in its cap compound for reduced rolling resistance, which helps fuel economy. Further helping to extend mileage is the enhanced tyre footprint (squarish instead of circular), optimized tread depth distribution and cavity shape. These help the tyre to last longer, maximising the value for money spent by the motorist.
DuraGuard Technology, used in many other Goodyear tyres, makes the tyre carcass robust and that is important for withstanding cuts and punctures. The durability comes from having 2-ply construction and a strong steel belt layer that is resistant to penetration.
Because the SUVs are used more on roads and daily commuting, noise levels need to be lower. The earlier Wrangler tyres tended to be noisy because those who drove trucks were not bothered. But today’s SUVs are quieter, like passenger cars, so the tyres need to also run with less noise. Goodyear’s engineers have made sure that Assurance MaxGuard SUV meets this expectation with a carefully designed tread pattern with an angled block design that traps noise, noise reduction ribs and narrower grooves.
Sizes available for the Malaysian market. Prices are dependent on the size and start from RM375.
The new Assurance MaxGuard SUV is made in Goodyear factories in China, Malaysia and Thailand in a wide range of sizes for popular SUV models in Malaysia, including those from Malaysian brands such as Perodua and Proton. They are available for 16, 17, 18 and 19-inch rim sizes so quite a large portion of the SUV market is covered.
As with most Goodyear tyres sold in Malaysia, the Assurance MaxGuard SUV comes with the brand’s Worry-Free Assurance program where a customers can get free replacement tyres in the event of road hazard damage (potholes or punctures from nails) that is beyond repair (within the first 6 months of use, terms and conditions apply). Additionally, there is also a 5-year factory warranty that covers manufacturing defects.
Goodyear Malaysia has strengthened its range of Ultra-High Performance (UHP) tyres with the addition of the Eagle F1 Sport. The new tyre is described as ‘a fun sports tyre option with good handling and braking performance for the aspiring racing enthusiast’.
“The Eagle F1 range is the embodiment of Goodyear’s long history of involvement in the racing arena. With the introduction of the Eagle F1 Sport, we aim to continuously uphold Goodyear’s manufacturing quality and technological capabilities of our research and development team, by providing more high performance tyre options for the day-to-day road user, at competitive prices for Malaysians,” said Alex Ng, MD of Goodyear Malaysia.
The Eagle F1 Sport tyre is said to provide improved handling and braking performance, and would be an option for upsizing. Its strong points are increased steering response, improved dry handling and enhanced cornering abilities. Compared to the Eagle F1 Directional 5, the Eagle F1 Sport has 20% less rolling resistance, with tyre weight reduced by up to 14%.
Precise and responsive handling
The signature Eagle Claw tread design has stronger shoulder blocks and with ActiveControl Technology, the shoulder contact patch of the tyre is maximised. Increased stiffness improves the cornering stability and steering precision when negotiating bends and corners.
The Eagle F1 Sport is also a quiet tyre, thanks to noise barrier strips which are made of rubber. They are positioned between the ply and liner to reduce noise generation. Narrower lateral grooves on the tyre also help to reduce vibrations and road noise for improved comfort.
Superior braking performance
Complementing the handling qualities is good stopping power with Goodyear’s DynamicBraking Technology. The combination of the Eagle Claw tread and high silica loaded tread compound with upgraded polymer matrix enhances braking capabilities on both wet and dry surfaces. Furthermore, an improved cavity shape provides a wider footprint for better contact and pressure distribution.
Wide rim flange protectors on all sizes provide protection to the tyre and rim from accidental curb damages while manoeuvring and parking.
22 sizes, priced from RM294
Retail prices for the Eagle F1 Sport range from RM294 to RM678 per tyre and they are available in 22 sizes ranging from 16 inches to 18 inches. Sizes start from 195/50R16 and go as wide as 255/35R18.
Generally, companies avoid being involved in politics and prefer to remain neutral, minding their own business. Of course, in a democracy, each citizen has the right to choose which political party they want to support but that’s personal and the company they work for would not influence them one way or another. At the same time, to keep things neutral within the company, actions associated with any political parties would be forbidden in the workplace and in policies.
That’s what someone in Goodyear probably wanted to remind people at a training event recently and it came to the attention of Donald Trump, the US President. He had learnt that a presentation slide at the event in one of the tyremaker’s factories was about company policy which does not permit political attire in the workplace, giving the red caps that carry the ‘Make America Great Again’ (MAGA) slogan of Trump’s Republican party as an example.
Caps with the company’s brand name or logo would obviously be permitted but Goodyear does not permit its employees to wear caps with political slogans like the red ones used by Trump’s party supporters (inset).
Under normal circumstances, the controversial President would probably just be angry but with his re-election campaign underway, he is even more furious about such ‘discrimination’. For Trump, not showing support for his policies and his administration are already bad enough, so forbidding people from wearing his party’s caps is deemed ‘unfair’. More so when the company is okay with issues relating to the ‘Black Lives Matter’ and LGBT movements, and allows its employees to wear apparel relating to these issues.
This led to him sending out a message to his supporters on Twitter to boycott Goodyear and not buy its tyres. “Don’t buy GOODYEAR TIRES – They announced a BAN ON MAGA HATS. Get better tires for far less! (This is what the Radical Left Democrats do. Two can play the same game, and we have to start playing it now!),” he urged.
Goodyear was quick to respond with a statement (via Twitter as well) that clarified that the training slide ‘was not created or distributed by Goodyear corporate’. The statement, however, reminded employees to ‘refrain from workplace expressions in support of political campaigning for any candidate or political party, as well as similar forms of advocacy that fall outside the scope of racial justice and equity issues’.
Goodyear is not the only company that has received such an attack by Trump. He has also called for a boycott of Harley-Davidson because it wanted to move its production out of America. Other companies and products that he has targeted include Apple, CNN, a scotch whisky company – and even Oreos (yes, those biscuits)! And with his war against China, Huawei and TikTok have also come under attack by Trump, who has been President since January 2017.
Goodyear joins a long list of companies and products that Trump dislikes because they do things against his policies or don’t show support for his administration.
The US President’s limousine, nicknamed ‘The Beast’, runs on tyres that Goodyear specially developed.
Whether Trump’s call to boycott Goodyear will have any noticeable effect on its tyre sales remains to be seen (he does have many supporters) but on his part, he might even ask for the tyres on ‘The Beast’ – the nickname for his huge limousine – to be made by someone else. The tyres were specially developed by Goodyear for the official car which is made by General Motors.
All business sectors that have resumed operations after the lifting of restrictions during the Movement Control Order (MCO) are required to follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) specified by the authorities. These include social distancing, temperature checks and other precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Goodyear Autocare Centres throughout Malaysia are following the SOPs to ensure a safe environment for customers and staff, with guidance by Goodyear Malaysia’s Zero Contact Initiative. With this initiative, customers can get new tyres fitted at a Goodyear Autocare centre without any direct person-to-person contact throughout the entire process.
A Goodyear Autocare Centre
“As we resume our operations nationwide, we also embark into a ‘new normal’ era that calls for more vigilance and mindfulness when handling each and every one of our customer’s needs,” said Alex Ng, MD of Goodyear Malaysia.
“The assurance of Goodyear’s Zero Contact process – from the moment you drop-off your vehicle, and up until you collect it – is that there will be zero direct physical contact between staff and customers to minimise risk of any potential spread. We decided to extend this programme in Malaysia, off the back of the success it had in the United States, Australia and other ASEAN countries. We hope that through this programme, we continue to assure Goodyear’s loyal customers that we have taken all the necessary precautions for their personal safety and at the same time, remain committed to ensuring the safety of their tyres,” Mr. Ng added.
Through the implementation of the Zero Contact initiative, customers will have to first arrange for an appointment with their preferred Goodyear Autocare centre for services, either with a phone call or using WhatsApp.
At the stores, there will be specially-designated Zero Contact parking areas for customers to park their vehicles, as well as a drop box for them to place the keys. The Goodyear Autocare centre staff will then proceed to collect the vehicle and fit new tyres.
Areas that will receive a free safety check
Before returning the vehicle to the owner, a 12-point vehicle safety check will be done, followed by the disinfection of 12 major touchpoints. These are complimentary services provided by Goodyear Malaysia for their customers to ensure that their cars are safe to be driven once again, especially for those who have left their vehicles untouched for a long time due to the Movement Control Order.
When the customer collects his or her vehicle at the Zero Contact parking area, there will be a checklist which has been placed in their vehicle. This confirms the clean-up done by the staff, as well as to notify them of any possible issue that the staff might have found while checking their vehicle, making it easy for them to rectify as quickly as possible.
Other precautionary measures will also be enforced at all Goodyear Autocare centres. For instance, staff are required to sanitise and disinfect all public areas, facilities, as well as any tools and equipment three times daily. The seats will be marked for alternative seating (to enable distancing), while standing markers will also be placed on the floor to ensure customers are standing 1 metre away from others when in queue. Customers are advised to settle payments using contactless payment options such as e-wallet, online banking or paywave.
“By rolling out this initiative, we hope that we are not only able to continue to provide better services for our customers as we all resume our everyday routines, but also provide an extra hand in helping to check on their vehicles’ conditions after this brief hiatus. Of course, the safety and health of our customers and staff are pertinent during this period, therefore we hope to see the support and cooperation from our customers and Goodyear Autocare partners to practise good hygiene and preventative measures throughout this period,” said Mr. Ng.
The world is extensively connected today and wherever you are on the planet, you can almost easily connect to someone else in another location. In recent years, there’s also been another type of connectivity taking place in cars where development is underway for cars to be able to ‘talk’ to each other.
This is not only useful for improving driving safety today but also tomorrow when autonomous vehicles are moving around. By communicating their position, other vehicles can avoid them if they are not visible or have been immobilised due to an accident.
Now Goodyear is also working on connected tyres which can communicate with the vehicle. With sensors embedded in the tyres, the tyre and road condition can be relayed to the vehicle’s ‘brain’. initial studies have shown that such connected tyres can reduce stopping distance lost between a new and worn tyre by 30%.
With the evolution to electric and autonomous vehicles, connected tyres and the impact they can have on stopping distance, communication with the vehicle will only increase in importance. The connected and intelligent tyre system continuously measures and records tyre-derived information, which is paired with other vehicle data and connected to Goodyear’s cloud-based proprietary algorithms.
Goodyear has been conducting road tests and field trials and its test fleet has covered 4.8 million kilometres, collecting valuable data to refine and improve the concept. The intelligent tyres can measure tyre wear, load, inflation and temperature, along with road surface conditions, in real time, allowing the vehicle to adjust and respond to these measurements and optimise vehicle performance.
“Consider someone driving on a slick, curvy road in wet conditions. The driver adjusts his movements by slowing down, tapping the brakes or avoiding sudden steering,” said Chris Helsel, Goodyear’s Chief Technology Officer. “But what happens when nobody is behind the wheel? The tyre is the only part of the vehicle that touches the ground and it can communicate vital information to the vehicle, enhancing safety and performance.”
There’s no time-frame for the introduction of connected tyres but Goodyear is continuously testing them extensively with automakers, start-ups and other groups.
Ever since the pneumatic tyre was invented, motorists have had to live with the possibility of the air inside leaking out due to being punctured by a nail or damage from hitting a pothole. Loss of air pressure, which is what keeps the tyre in its hard shape to roll along, means the tyre cannot be used and has to be replaced. Not something you want when you are on the way to a meeting or a holiday resort.
Various solutions have been developed over the years which try to keep the tyre usable even when the air is gone. Run-flat tyres are capable of continuing even when deflated, though at limited speeds and for a limited distance. Obviously, they need to be replaced or repaired as soon as possible.
More specialised tyres for off-road use have flexible foam inside which can maintain the tyre shape even when air has leaked out.
Regenerating the tread
Now Goodyear is taking another approach with a prototype tyre it calls recharge. This is reloadable and has a tread compound that can be recharged with individual capsules, radically simplifying the process of replacing your tyres.
Filled with a customized liquid compound, these capsules allow the tread to regenerate and the tyre to adapt over time to climatic circumstances, road conditions, or simply how you want to travel. Thanks to artificial intelligence, a driver profile would be created around which the liquid compound would be customized, generating a compound blend tailored to each individual.
The compound itself would be made from a biological material and would be reinforced with fibres inspired by one of the toughest natural materials in the world – spider silk. This would make it both extremely durable and 100% biodegradable.
No maintenance needed
In addition to radically simplifying the process of replacing tyres using the rechargeable capsules, the tread would be supported by a lightweight, non-pneumatic frame and tall-and-narrow shape. This is a thin, robust low-maintenance construction that would eliminate the need for pressure maintenance or downtime related to punctures.
“Goodyear wants the tyre to be an even more powerful contributor to answering consumers’ specific mobility needs,” said Mike Rytokoski, Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer, Goodyear Europe, “It was with that ambition that we set out to create a concept tyre primed for the future of personalized and convenient electric mobility.”
Recharge is just a concept for now although it could become one of the features of tyres of the future. Only thing is, if the tread can be regenerated, then the tyres doesn’t need to be replaced. That’s good for the environment but is it going to be good for company business?
