American tyre manufacturer Goodyear is hoping to expand its business in Thailand, thanks to the government's eco-car project.

The company is talking to several automakers about the possibility of supplying them with fuel-saving tyres with low rolling resistance, Pierre Cohade, president of Goodyear Asia Pacific, said on March 9th.

Cohade said the Thai government was taking the right direction with the project. "This is an intelligent initiative by the government. Yes, we will launch new products for eco-cars and we are working very closely with original equipment manufacturers," he said.

Additional investment would be required for manufacturing eco-car tyres, but Cohade declined to provide details. The export of eco-cars will also help tyremakers increase their own export opportunities.

Nissan is scheduled to unveil its eco-car - the March - on March 12th. Other manufacturers who have enlisted for the eco-car project are Honda, Mitsubishi, Tata, Suzuki and Toyota.

Cohade said despite the recession, Goodyear had been able to register growth last year due to cost and price management, as well as the introduction of innovative products such as the DuraPlus, which has a usable range of 100,000 kilometres.

Thai management at Goodyear Thailand, such as managing director Kongkiat Teekamongkol, has also played a major role in the company's local success, he said. "We are seeing Thai management bringing over innovations and adapting them to Thai operations effectively," he added.