SHANGHAI, Dec. 1, 2017 — The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company today announced a strategic partnership with JD.com, China’s largest retailer, to innovate its distribution operation in China, reflecting Goodyear’s continuing goal of providing the best products and services to customers through innovation. The two partners signed the strategic cooperation agreement in Shanghai today.

Under the partnership, Goodyear will not only provide designated products on a Goodyear-branded channel on JD.com, but will also team up with JD using an innovative omni-channel model. Goodyear’s high-quality tire and services centers in 10 cities in China will collaborate with JD’s auto platform to deliver seamless omni-channel experiences. The partnership also underscores Goodyear’s efforts to build up a new distribution model to take a lead in China’s booming auto aftermarket.

“The tire industry in China has a significant need to leverage the ‘internet plus’ trend to stay ahead of the shift toward a high-level consumption experience,” said Mr. Yang Jian, Vice President, Goodyear in Southern China during the signing ceremony. “At Goodyear, we have seen the growing importance of e-commerce in China’s auto aftermarket and we are embracing the trend by modernizing our distribution network.

“I’m proud that this strategic partnership between Goodyear and JD.com will create a brand-new distribution network for Goodyear in China. By offering key products online and leveraging JD’s omni-channel capabilities, Goodyear will significantly expand its distribution network in China, ramp up consumers’ trust that they are receiving authentic products, and provide customers with premium, quality service.”

Yishen Tang, General Manager of JD’s auto accessories department said, “We are very pleased to form the partnership with Goodyear, a renowned name in the auto sector. This partnership underscores how our reach can help simplify the e-commerce experience for products that have traditionally been more challenging to sell online, leveraging our massive network and big data capabilities.”

Under the partnership, Goodyear disrupts its traditional multi-layer agents-based distribution network, effectively shorten supply chain, and reach out to target consumers in a more efficient way.

In addition, Goodyear will fully support JD during key campaigns, such as its June 18 Anniversary Sale, and the November 11 and December 12 shopping holidays, as well as sector specific sales. During such campaigns, JD will promote Goodyear products with a strategic partnership privilege.

A case in point is the JD’s Auto Accessories Festival that starts today. Goodyear is entitled to designated promotional banner and a distribution channel on JD.com, which will enhance media exposure of the event through various cooperation. On top of that, by teaming up with JD.com, Goodyear can also leverage big data analysis to better understand customer needs and adapt to market demand more swiftly.

Goodyear is a company based on firsts, and the company has worked hard to make them time and again throughout its more-than-one-century history. The latest partnership with JD.com exemplified the innovative spirit at Goodyear, as the company has been striving to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry in China and around the globe.