The ratings on The Goodyear Tire&Rubber Co. reflect Standard&Poor's Ratings Services' expectation that the company's credit measures will continue to show steady improvement during 2011. Consumer and commercial tire demand around the world continue to boost Goodyear's sales and profits. The company has been able to raise tire prices and more than offset volatile raw material prices. Moreover, it continues to rationalize its operations and is benefiting from lower unabsorbed fixed costs as capacity utilization increases at its manufacturing facilities. We expect Goodyear to use discretionary cash flow in 2011 but not to exceed $200 million in 2011. In the first quarter of 2011, year-over-year sales rose 27% because of an increase in tire demand in
