AKRON, Ohio, (Dec. 13, 2007) — The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company today announced that it has signed an agreement to be a preferred supplier for Blue Bird Corporation, one of the premier school bus manufacturers in the United States. Blue Bird school buses will use Goodyear Unisteel G149 RSA and G182 RSD commercial tires. Both tires help deliver even wear, resistance to sidewall damage from curbs and superb traction.

Mark Totten, general manager for Goodyear original-equipment commercial tires, said, “We are extremely pleased to have been chosen by this quality school bus manufacturer. Blue Bird has an outstanding reputation for building innovative school buses with unmatched reliability.

"We view this agreement as more than a transaction to supply a customer with a product. The relationship is built upon Goodyear’s ability to supply quality made-in-the-USA tires, to deliver them when and where needed, and to make sure our role in supplying an important customer adds value to school districts and bus fleets across North America," he said.

Goodyear commercial tires for the Blue Bird product line will be produced at manufacturing facilities in Danville, Va., and Topeka, Kan.