Goodyear Plans to Expand Production in Dalian     

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. announces its ambitious plans to expand plants, modernize factories and increase cost-cutting.
   In reference to strengthening its presence in China, Goodyear plans to increase an initial investment up to US$500 million for relocating and expanding its manufacturing plant in Dalian to facilitate increased production of high-value-added consumer and commercial tires for the Asia-Pacific region.
   The Dalian plant, currently located in Shahekou District of Dalian, Liaoning province, is planned to be relocated at Pulandian, Dalian as the Pulandian new plant is scheduled for startup by 2010. At that time, the Shahekou plant will be close.
   The company says growth in markets such as China, Russia and Brazil and a transition to increasingly high-value-added tires in these markets represent significant opportunities.
   Goodyear anticipates capital investments totaling between US$1 billion and US$1.3 billion per year from 2008 to 2010.