Goodyear, TRW Automotive to Collaborate on Tires, Suspensions.

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and TRW Automotive have signed a five-year agreement to jointly study tires, braking, suspension and steering systems to accelerate product development for vehicle manufacturers. "A key focus of the development program will be optimizing the interaction of tires, suspension, braking and steering systems," said Steve Roth, Goodyear's director of vehicle systems. "The goal will be to enhance vehicle ride, handling, and other safety, performance and comfort characteristics."

Phil Cunningham, TRW Chassis Systems product business director, noted that the agreement will initially allow the companies to exchange modeling data related to these systems: "We expect to develop joint subsystems models that can be used with selected vehicle model software packages not only to improve existing products but to develop new products for vehicle manufacturers."

Goodyear said it will share its design integration and manufacturing expertise in conventional and extended mobility -- EMT run-flat -- tires; its array of engineered rubber products such as airsprings, bushings and mountings; and its knowledge of functional areas related to ride, handling, traction, wear, noise and vibration.

TRW Automotive said it will share its design and engineering knowledge of advanced braking, steering and suspension systems and components and how it uses such technology for improved braking and handling performance.

"This agreement with TRW, a leader in suspension and braking systems, is a great opportunity for both companies to co-develop our capabilities for future products," Roth said. "It also complements the ongoing suspension development work we have underway with our vehicle systems group -- an effort that is moving Goodyear well beyond our traditional role as a supplier of tires to OEMs."