Overview

• The indictment follows years of investigation into the Goodyear Marathon LHS II and LHS II+ tires, linked to multiple fatal truck accidents in France between 2014 and 2016.
• Experts concluded that the accidents were caused by manufacturing defects in the tires, not external factors.
• Goodyear allegedly knew of the defects since the early 2010s but avoided issuing a mandatory recall, opting instead for a voluntary exchange program that recovered only about 50% of the affected tires.
• Some defective tires remain in circulation, particularly in second-hand markets in Eastern Europe, raising ongoing safety concerns.
• If convicted, Goodyear could face fines of up to 10% of its annual revenue, highlighting the potential financial and reputational stakes for the company.