WASHINGTON, D.C. – New, energy-efficient tires will now be developed in Akron. U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced that Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in Akron was awarded new federal resources to develop advanced, fuel efficient tires. The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy awarded $1,499,771 to support the Ohio-based research and development project, which is expected to help improve the fuel efficiency of the next generation of vehicles produced by the U.S. auto industry.

“Building strong businesses and protecting the environment can go hand-in-hand. Fuel-efficient tires made in Ohio can help to create a new generation of energy efficient vehicles made right here in the United States,” Brown said. “By investing in American manufacturers, like Goodyear Tire, we can drive a new generation of smart economic growth and energy independence while creating new jobs throughout the manufacturing supply chain.”

Goodyear Tire will use the resources to develop and demonstrate an in-tire system for automatically maintaining a set pressure in a commercial truck tire, according to the company.

Brown has been an outspoken advocate for Ohio’s auto industry and a strong supporter of increased fuel economy (CAFE) standards to increase the competitiveness of American-made vehicles.

In June 2009, Brown testified before the ITC in support of rubber tire workers in Findlay who were being undermined by a flood of Chinese imports dumped into the U.S. Following his testimony, the ITC ruled on behalf of tire workers, and President Obama announced that he would enforce "Section 421" trade safeguards that protect American manufacturers from excessive imports. After the ruling, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company announced plans to add capacity to its Findlay tire plant and hire up to 100 workers.

According to a 2010 study by the Center for Automotive Research, more than 792,000 Ohio jobs depend on the auto industry; this figure includes 120,285 direct employment (people employed directly by auto industry: 39,685 by automakers and 80,600 by parts suppliers); 276,330 indirect employment (jobs indirectly employed by automakers or parts suppliers: 167,891 by automakers and 108,439 by parts suppliers); and 395,981 spin-off employment (expenditure-induced employment resulting from spending by direct and intermediate employees; 221,018 by automakers and 174,963 by suppliers). 

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