Goodyear said any rumors to the contrary “are simply not true.”
“Goodyear believes, as do its dealers, that the Kelly brand is a very strong and viable brand,” and that it “retains appeal with consumers and is widely known in many regional markets and with our dealers.”
The tiremaker said that, in recent years, it has developed many new Kelly brand products, as well as support materials and programs for its Kelly dealers.
The rumors apparently began surfacing prior to the SEMA Show and just after the United Steelworkers went on strike against Goodyear’s North American plants. Goodyear said it recently sent a letter to all of its Kelly dealers in an effort to quell the rumors.