Goodyear Tires announced that its "run on flat" (ROF) tires, with a new technology that allows vehicles to run safely after puncturing or deflation, has been introduced to the China market.

According to the United States-based company, four types of ROF tires are available at Goodyear's licensed service network nationwide. "The introduction of ROF tires to China essentially comes from Goodyear's concerns about drivers' safety," says Katherine Hsu, vice-president of marketing for Goodyear China. "Every driver around the world takes safety as the top priority. And the main reason they select ROF tires is anxiety about tires bursting at high speed." A survey by Goodyear of a total of 9,250 drivers from 16 countries reveals that 64 percent of them had tires burst or had flat tires due to punctures. More than 80 percent of females and 67 percent of males considered flat tires a big concern while driving.

Goodyear's ROF tires are also called 'safe tires' or 'zero pressure tires'. A vehicle with a leaking tire can still run safely for 250 km at the speed of 80 km per hour. According to the technical staff of Goodyear, a heat-resistant substance with super anti-fatigue capability is inserted in sidewalls of ROF tires, and this kind of material cushions the vehicle's load.

The research on ROF technology by Goodyear has been underway for over 70 years. As early as in 1934, Goodyear produced Lifeguard tires, which were the first in the world that could still operate after a blowout. In 1992, Goodyear preceded its peers with its "extended mobility technology" and commercialized this type of product.