USA / Japan – Akron, Ohio-based Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has announced the sale of its Dunlop Brand to Japan's Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI*) for USD 701 million. This divestment is part of Goodyear's strategic plan to streamline its operations and focus on core business areas. Additional addendums in the contract state that a five-year “Transition Offtake Agreement” means that Goodyear will continue manufacturing and selling Dunlop-branded consumer tyres in Europe through at least December 31, 2025, and will pay royalties to SRI during this time. Additionally, Goodyear will supply certain Dunlop-branded tyres to Sumitomo in Europe for a minimum of five years and will license back trademarks for truck tyres in Europe with royalty payments. The agreement still requires regulatory approval before being finalised.

This sale follows Goodyear's recent divestment of its Off-the-Road equipment tyre business to Yokohama Rubber for USD 905 million last year. This further reflects the effort to cut costs as the company faces competition and regulatory challenges in the tyre industry.