Christian Duc, a former Michelin employee turned judicial expert, was brought in by the police to investigate an accident that occurred on April 25, 2016 on the A13 highway in France. The accident involved a truck’s front left tire, a Goodyear Marathon, bursting and causing the driver to lose control, resulting in a fatal crash. Duc’s investigation revealed that there had been numerous accidents involving Goodyear tires between 2011 and 2016, prompting Goodyear to withdraw certain tire models from the market due to internal structural issues. Duc concluded that the premature deterioration of the tire was linked to its internal structure and not external causes.
Despite Duc’s findings implicating Goodyear tires in multiple accidents, French authorities have not shown much concern. However, internal documents obtained by Le Monde reveal the extent of accidents involving Goodyear tires. A confidential Excel spreadsheet from October 19, 2017, prepared by Goodyear Europe’s vice-president, Grégory Boucharlat, showed a significant number of accidents in Spain, the Netherlands, and France. In Spain alone, 158 accidents were recorded with total compensation estimated at 3,381,881 euros. In the Netherlands, there were eight incidents resulting in 1,317,898 euros in damages. In France, 81 accidents occurred between July 2013 and December 2016, with compensation ranging from 150 to 75,000 euros per case.
One notable accident in Roye, France, in July 2014, resulted in the death of Luis Lesmes, a Glencore executive, costing Goodyear over 964,000 euros in legal fees alone. This case led to both criminal and civil proceedings, ultimately settling in London with a substantial compensation payment to Lesmes’ widow. The exact amount was not disclosed, but Le Monde reported it as several million euros. Despite the mounting evidence of accidents involving Goodyear tires, the company’s senior management remains aware of the issue but has not taken significant action to address it.
The involvement of Goodyear’s tires in numerous accidents, including fatalities, has raised concerns about the company’s product quality and safety standards. While experts like Christian Duc have highlighted structural flaws in the tires as a key factor in accidents, the lack of swift action from French authorities to address the issue is troubling. As internal documents reveal the financial toll of these accidents on Goodyear, questions remain about the company’s accountability and responsibility in ensuring the safety of its products. The case of the Goodyear Marathon tires serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of overlooking product defects in the automotive industry.
As the controversy surrounding Goodyear tires continues to unfold, the pressure on the company to address the safety concerns raised by experts and documented accidents is mounting. With stakeholders, including legal experts and victims’ families, demanding accountability, Goodyear may face legal and financial repercussions for the accidents linked to its tires. The lack of immediate action by French authorities following the findings of Christian Duc raises questions about regulatory oversight and consumer protection in the country, adding to the urgency of addressing the issue of defective tires on the market. The case of the Goodyear Marathon tires highlights the need for improved safety measures and regulatory enforcement in the automotive industry to prevent future tragedies.
