Solid market shares in the U.S., Europe, and Latin America; Diverse tire product line, extensive distribution, and strong brand recognition; Successful new product introductions; and Improved profitability during the past two years. Large, underfunded employee benefit obligations; Intense competition from large mass producers and smaller, more focused domestic and international players; Exposure to volatile raw material and energy prices; High cost structure and falling market share in the U.S.; and Ongoing labor strike at most North American manufacturing plants. Goodyear's 'B+' corporate credit and other ratings remain on CreditWatch with negative implications where they were placed Oct. 16, 2006, because of the potential for business disruptions and earnings pressures that could result from the ongoing labor dispute at most of
