AKRON, Ohio, January 16, 2009 – When Barack Obama takes the oath of office to become the 44th President of the United States, he will begin a journey of countless appearances and appointments, and The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company will be a key contributor, though few might notice.

The new president’s official limousine will be carried to its various destinations in the Capital and elsewhere on Goodyear tires, continuing a decades-long tradition as the exclusive tire for the presidential limo, and the standard tire of the U.S. Secret Service.

On the new presidential limousine, a heavily customized Cadillac DTS, a set of Goodyear tires – Goodyear Regional RHS – will be occupying the four corners of the car.  These are actually truck tires in a 285/70R19.5 size, necessary due to the vehicle’s extra load that includes a heavy-duty chassis, extended length and armored material.

As with military combat vehicles, the presidential limousine runs on standard tires, but the rims contain a run-flat device (made by Hutchinson Industries) that enables the vehicle to be driven even with zero air pressure in all four tires.

In the past, Goodyear’s high-profile fitment on presidential limos has been featured in print advertisements, reminding consumers that the four things every president has in common with his predecessor are the Goodyear tires transporting him.  The company’s current marketing campaign – Goodyear ‘Get there’ – promotes the concept of Goodyear tires helping drivers “get there” to their destinations, even if that destination is the White House.

Goodyear is one of the world’s largest tire companies.  The company employs about 70,000 people and manufactures its products in more than 60 facilities in 26 countries around the world.  For more information about Goodyear tires, go to www.goodyeartires.com