Corporate News

J.D.Power Asia Pacific 2005 Tire Customer Satisfaction in Japan
Dunlop Tops Compact Car Segment and Ranks 2^nd in Passenger Car Segment

2006.01.11

Dunlop, Sumitomo Rubber's flagship brand, ranks 1^st in the compact car segment and 2^nd in the passenger car segment, according to the J.D. Power Asia Pacific 2005 Japan Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Index Study released on December 21, 2005.

The study, now in its fourth year, measures customer satisfaction with original equipment (OE) tires based on performance in six factors: tire appearance, quality and durability, ride/comfort, handling, traction, and contribution to fuel economy. The 2005 study includes responses from 5,306 new-vehicle owners who have owned their vehicles between 8-16 months.

Dunlop outscores its competitors on the four factors of quality and durability, contribution to fuel economy, handling, and traction. Dunlop Registers particularly high scores on contribution to fuel economy and handling. Dunlop also ranks 2^nd in the passenger car segment, performing well on tire appearance, quality and durability, and contribution to fuel economy.

Sumitomo Rubber has started "Technology Project" to work on production of tires to provide best performance and comfort and fuel efficiency to meet growing needs for safety and economy. We believe that Dunlop's ranks in the J.D. Power study are the results of our customers' evaluation of such our efforts, which we sincerely appreciate, and will continue to work hard to produce tiresof high value to receive high customer satisfaction.

The details of the J.D. Power study is available at: http://www.jdpower.co.jp/.