Sumitomo Rubber, Goodyear End 16-Year Alliance

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and Sumitomo Rubber Ltd. have finalized the dissolution of their 16-year-old global alliance. The companies announced the plan four months ago.

The two manufacturers had operated joint ventures to make and sell tires in North America, Europe and Japan. Disbanding the alliance resolves an antitrust complaint by assigning full ownership of each of their ventures to one of the partners.

Under the agreement, Goodyear gains exclusive rights in Japan to sell tires under its own brand to carmakers and the aftermarket, and Sumitomo receives the same rights for Dunlop brand tires. Goodyear retains rights to market Dunlop tires along with its own brand in Europe and North America.