Exhibit 99.1


                    MEDIA CONTACT:      KEITH PRICE
                                        330-796-1863
                                        KPRICE@GOODYEAR.COM
                    ANALYST CONTACT:    BARB GOULD
                                        330-796-8576
                                        GOODYEAR.INVESTOR.RELATIONS@GOODYEAR.COM


                              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


               GOODYEAR TO DELAY 10-K/A FILING PENDING REVIEW COMPLETION
                     COMPANY PLANS FOLLOW-UP CAPITAL MARKET ACCESS

      AKRON, Ohio, Dec. 10, 2003 - The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company said today
that the filing of its amended 2002 Form 10-K/A with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission would be delayed until next year.

      An ongoing internal investigation has identified possible improper
accounting issues in Europe, and the company is delaying the filing until it
completes the review into those issues. To date, there has been no determination
whether this would have a material impact on the financial statements.

      In addition, the delay could impact the company's ability to satisfy an
obligation to the United Steelworkers of America to raise $250 million in debt
and $75 million in equity-linked financing by year-end.

      Goodyear said its recently completed contract gives the USWA the right,
but not the obligation, to strike after going through a grievance process if
Goodyear does not complete these financings by the end of the year. The company
initiated discussions with the Steelworkers today to explore mutually beneficial
options that would include aggressively pursuing financing options, including
capital market access, once the amended 2002 Form 10-K/A is filed.

                                     (more)


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      Goodyear is the world's largest tire company. The company manufactures
tires, engineered rubber products and chemicals in more than 85 facilities in 28
countries around the world. Goodyear employs approximately 88,000 people
worldwide.

      Certain information contained in this press release constitutes
forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of The
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ
materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result
of various economic, financial and industry factors including without limitation
the company's ability to implement its cost-cutting plans, realize anticipated
savings and operational benefits from the newly ratified labor agreement, and
achieve its sales targets. The audit of the adjustments to the prior period
financial statements is not complete. Additional factors that may cause actual
results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward looking
statements are discussed in the company's Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31,
2002 and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2003, which are on file with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC has initiated an informal
inquiry into the fact and circumstances of the company's previously announced
restatement and is subject to a number of lawsuits related to the announcement
of the restatement. No assurance can be given as to the ultimate resolution of
these matters. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent our
estimates only as of today and should not be relied upon as representing our
estimates as of any subsequent date. While we may elect to update
forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim
any obligation to do so, even if our estimates change.


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