Goodyear Blimp Centennial Celebration Held in Shanghai

On July 4, during the opening of the 2025 "Shanghai Summer International Consumer Season," Goodyear, a globally renowned tire manufacturer, celebrated the 100th anniversary of its airship program. Nearly 200 guests, clients, media representatives, and Goodyear employees gathered along the West Bank of the Huangpu River in Xuhui District, Shanghai, to witness the Goodyear airship soaring above the city.

Goodyear began researching lighter-than-air aircraft as early as 1910. Since the first flight of the "Pilgrim" in 1925, the Goodyear airship has gradually become a key medium for brand communication and a beloved iconic symbol among customers.

Over the past century, Goodyear airships have witnessed and participated in numerous significant historical moments and public events, including the Olympics, Super Bowl, and various charitable activities, establishing themselves as one of the most recognizable brand images worldwide.

In the Asia-Pacific region, Goodyear continues to drive innovation in the tire industry through sustained R&D investment and world-class manufacturing. Since becoming the first foreign-owned tire manufacturer in China in 1994, Goodyear has深耕 the Chinese market for over three decades, with Shanghai serving as its Asia-Pacific headquarters, steadily advancing forward.

In 2024, Goodyear launched its first electric vehicle consumer tire in China bearing the ISCc label with over 70% sustainable materials, furthering its goal of producing tires made entirely from sustainable materials by 2030.

In early 2025, Goodyear opened the world's first Mickey Thompson brand retail store in Shanghai. Goodyear, along with its brands Mickey Thompson and Cooper Tires, has played a significant role in the development history of off-road tires globally.

In May 2025, Goodyear launched the Eagle F1 SuperSport SUV Generation 6 tire in the Asia-Pacific region. This product carries forward the Eagle F1 lineage of exceptional handling honed over 45 years on top racetracks worldwide, combining high performance with everyday usability, perfectly meeting the needs of the rapidly growing premium SUV market in the region.

Nathaniel Madarang, President of Goodyear Asia Pacific, said the centennial celebration of the airship marks a remarkable moment for Goodyear to celebrate innovation and excellence together with customers worldwide. The airship’s flight over the Huangpu River showcased the vibrant summer charm of Shanghai and highlighted Goodyear’s continuous progress in the Asia-Pacific region. We are committed to becoming the world’s leading tire and service provider through cutting-edge tire technology, serving the luxury, off-road, and electric vehicle segments.

As one of the world’s best-known tire manufacturers, Goodyear currently operates three manufacturing plants in Greater China, located in Dalian, Kunshan, and Qingdao. Additionally, to meet local market demands, Goodyear has established research and development centers in both Dalian and Kunshan. (Text and photos by Chen Hongying)