AKRON, Ohio, April 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NYSE: GT) has again been recognized as one of America's most reputable companies by Forbes magazine.

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Goodyear ranked 38th on the magazine's sixth annual ranking of corporate reputation in the United States, which was released on www.forbes.com.  Goodyear is the only tire maker on the list and the highest-ranked company in the automotive industry.

The list is based on the results of the Reputation Institute's U.S. Reputation Pulse consumer opinion survey, which measures the overall respect, trust, esteem, admiration and good feelings consumers hold toward 150 of the country's largest companies.

Scores are based on RI's seven dimensions of reputation: products/services, innovation, governance, workplace, citizenship, leadership and financial performance.  RI said the 2011 survey indicates that the top three drivers of corporate reputation are products and services, governance and citizenship.

"This recognition is particularly meaningful as it is based on surveys with the general public – the consumers who buy our tires and put their trust in Goodyear and its products every day," said Richard J. Kramer, Goodyear chairman and chief executive officer.  

"I'm especially pleased with our ranking because it reflects the public's perception of not only our products, but our company as a whole," he added.  "We are proud that our associates take the initiative to do good works that benefit our fellow associates, our customers, our communities and the environment.  The survey indicates that the public recognizes our corporate citizenship and respects the Goodyear brand for more than great tires."

Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies.  It employs approximately 72,000 people and manufactures its products in 55 facilities in 22 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 or its products, go to www.goodyear.com.

SOURCE The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company