Goodyear most reputable company in US auto sector

KOLKATA: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co, a leading manufacturer of automotive tyres that has been present in India for nearly nine decades, has emerged as one of America’s most reputable companies, according to a survey by Forbes.

The tyre firm, synonymous with the ‘Country Roads Take Me Home’ jingle in its advertising campaign, leaped ahead from the 38th position last year to 26th this year. Goodyear is the only tire maker on the list and the highest-ranked company in the automotive industry. The list is based on the results of the Reputation Institute’s US Reputation Pulse consumer survey, which was conducted in the first quarter of 2012.

The survey measures the overall trust, esteem, admiration and good feelings more than 10,000 consumers hold toward 150 of the country’s largest companies. Scores are based on RI’s seven dimensions of reputation: products/services, innovation, governance, workplace, citizenship, leadership and financial performance.

RI said the 2012 survey indicates that perceptions of the enterprise (workplace, governance, citizenship, financial performance and leadership) were more important than product perceptions (products/services and innovation) in driving consumer behaviour.

“This recognition is particularly significant as it goes beyond the value consumers place on our brands and innovative products,” said Richard J Kramer, Goodyear chairman and chief executive officer. “It reflects the public’s perception of the goals and shared values articulated in TheGoodyear Mission that guides our associates every day.

The survey shows that consumers continue to recognize that the Goodyear brand stands for great citizenship in addition to great tires.”

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Goodyear-most-reputable-company-in-US-auto-sector/articleshow/13856067.cms