If you’ve ever stood in a tire shop looking at a wall of Goodyear tires, you’ve probably wondered: who actually makes these things, and are they still an American company? It’s a fair question, especially with so many tire brands today being owned by larger overseas conglomerates.

The short answer is that Goodyear tires are made by The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, an American manufacturer headquartered in Akron, Ohio — the same city where the company began in 1898. Goodyear is not a private-label brand or a badge slapped on someone else’s product. It designs, engineers, and manufactures its own tires, and it also owns several other well-known tire brands.

In this guide, TireNearMeHub breaks down exactly who makes Goodyear tires, the company’s history, where manufacturing actually happens, which brands fall under the Goodyear umbrella, and how the company stacks up against competitors like Michelin and Bridgestone.

Who Owns Goodyear Tires Today?

Goodyear is a publicly traded American company, listed on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol GT. That means Goodyear isn’t owned by a single private owner or foreign parent company — it’s owned by its shareholders, and it operates independently as one of the largest tire manufacturers in the world.

This is a key difference between Goodyear and some other “American-sounding” tire brands. For example, Firestone is now owned by Japan’s Bridgestone, and Uniroyal is owned by Michelin’s Continental affiliations in some markets. Goodyear, on the other hand, has remained an independently operating American public company since it was founded.

Key Facts About The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

Why Is It Called “Goodyear” If Charles Goodyear Didn’t Found It?

This trips a lot of people up. Charles Goodyear, the man the company is named after, had nothing to do with founding it — he died decades before the company existed. He was the inventor of vulcanized rubber, the process that made durable rubber tires possible in the first place. Frank Seiberling chose to name his new tire company after Goodyear as a tribute to that invention, not because Goodyear himself was involved.

Where Are Goodyear Tires Made?

Goodyear manufactures tires at plants located across multiple continents, not just in the United States. Depending on the specific tire model and where you buy it, your Goodyear tire could have been produced at a U.S. facility or at one of Goodyear’s international plants.

• United States: Goodyear operates several manufacturing plants in states like Ohio, Kansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina.
• Latin America: Plants in Brazil, Mexico, and Chile serve both regional and export markets.
• Europe: Facilities in Germany, France, Poland, Luxembourg, and Slovenia supply the European market.
• Asia-Pacific: Plants in China, Thailand, and India support growing demand in Asian markets.

For readers who want a deeper breakdown of manufacturing locations by tire line, TireNearMeHub has a full dedicated guide: Where Are Goodyear Tires Made?

A Brief History of Goodyear: From Bicycle Tires to Global Tire Giant

Understanding who makes Goodyear tires is easier once you understand how the company grew. Goodyear didn’t start out big — it started as a scrappy small business trying to survive in a crowded rubber industry.

1898–1900s: The Early Years

Frank Seiberling founded the company with just thirteen employees in a converted strawboard factory in Akron. The earliest products weren’t even car tires — they were bicycle and carriage tires, along with rubber horseshoe pads. It wasn’t until the early 1900s, as automobiles became more common, that Goodyear shifted its focus to car tires.

1901–1920s: Innovation and Expansion

Goodyear supplied racing tires to Henry Ford in 1901, and by 1903 the company had patented the first tubeless automobile tire. This period also saw Goodyear enter aviation, eventually launching the now-iconic Goodyear Blimp in 1925 — still one of the most recognizable marketing symbols in American business history.

1937–Present: Modern Growth

Goodyear developed synthetic rubber in the late 1930s, helping the U.S. maintain tire production during rubber shortages in World War II. In the following decades, the company grew into a global manufacturer, eventually becoming the world’s third-largest tire company by revenue. More recently, Goodyear expanded its portfolio through acquisitions such as Cooper Tire & Rubber in 2021, strengthening its position in the North American consumer tire market.

What Brands Does Goodyear Own?

One of the most overlooked facts about Goodyear is that it doesn’t just sell tires under its own name — it owns or licenses several other tire brands, each targeting different budgets and vehicle types.

This multi-brand strategy allows Goodyear to compete across nearly every price point, from budget shoppers to drivers who want top-tier performance rubber.

Are Goodyear Tires Good? What Drivers Should Know

Since Goodyear designs and tests its own tires rather than outsourcing to unknown manufacturers, quality control tends to be consistent across its lineup. That said, “good” depends heavily on which specific Goodyear tire line you’re comparing.

Popular Goodyear Tire Lines

• Assurance series — built for comfort, all-season traction, and longer tread life. The Assurance MaxLife is one of the most popular options for daily drivers.
• Eagle series — performance-oriented tires, including the Eagle Exhilarate, designed for responsive handling.
• Wrangler series — built for trucks and SUVs, including off-road-capable options like the Wrangler DuraTrac RT and all-terrain models like the Wrangler Steadfast HT.

For a full breakdown of ratings and real driver feedback, see: Are Goodyear Tires Good? Full Review and Goodyear Tires Reviews.

Goodyear Tire Prices and Where to Buy

Goodyear tire prices vary widely depending on the tire size, model, and where you buy them. Budget lines can start under $100 per tire, while premium performance or off-road tires can run several hundred dollars each.

• Retail tire chains and independent tire shops
• Big-box retailers, including Walmart’s tire centers
• Goodyear’s own retail network and authorized dealers
• Seasonal rebate promotions that lower the effective price

To compare current pricing across models, check TireNearMeHub’s guides: Goodyear Tires Prices, Goodyear Tires On Sale, and Goodyear Tires Rebate Offers.

Goodyear vs. Other Major Tire Manufacturers

Goodyear consistently ranks among the top three tire manufacturers globally, competing directly with Bridgestone and Michelin. Unlike some competitors that focus heavily on one region, Goodyear maintains a strong balance of North American, European, and emerging-market manufacturing and sales.

Is Goodyear Publicly Traded? Understanding Goodyear Tires Stock

Yes — Goodyear is publicly traded on the Nasdaq under the ticker GT. This means the company’s ownership is spread across individual and institutional shareholders rather than a single private owner. Investors researching “Goodyear tires stock” are typically looking at the company’s quarterly earnings, revenue from tire sales, and performance compared to competitors like Michelin and Bridgestone.

Note: This section is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion: The Company Behind the Goodyear Name

So, who makes Goodyear tires? The answer is straightforward: Goodyear tires are made by The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, a publicly traded, independently operating American manufacturer headquartered in Akron, Ohio since 1898. The company designs and manufactures its own tires at plants across the U.S., Europe, Latin America, and Asia, and it also owns respected sub-brands like Kelly Tires and Dunlop.

With over a century of history, consistent placement among the world’s top three tire manufacturers, and a product lineup covering everything from budget all-season tires to rugged off-road rubber, Goodyear remains one of the most trusted names on the road. Whether you’re shopping for your next set of tires or just curious about the brand behind the winged-foot logo, Goodyear’s long track record speaks for itself.