US based tire maker Goodyear has set up its first development center at its manufacturing facility in Pulandian, China.
With the new development center, the company aims to increase the speed and efficiency of high-value-added tire development for the Asia Pacific market with special focus upon Chinese automakers.
The development center will also focus upon product customization for original equipment fitments and project support services.
However, the core tire technology development will take place in Goodyear's global Innovation Centers in Ohio and Luxembourg.
According to Goodyear, the Chinese center is expected to support company's market-back innovation approach to facilitate direct interactions between customers and designers.
With the new center, the company aims to enter new original equipment platforms in China which includes new energy vehicles.
Goodyear CEO Richard J. Kramer said: "China is the world's largest and fastest-growing market for passenger cars and commercial trucks, and critical to Goodyear's growth strategy.
"The newChina development center will be an integral part of our network of global innovation centers and strengthen our innovation leadership role in the global tire industry."
