You’ve probably seen the blue and white oval logo on the side of a tire shop or maybe you’ve got a set of Discoverers on your truck right now. For decades, Cooper was the ultimate underdog story—the "independent" American tire maker that held its own against the global giants. But if you’re looking for the Cooper Tire & Rubber Company on the New York Stock Exchange today, you won't find it.
The short answer? The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company owns Cooper Tire.
They didn't just buy a slice of it, either. Goodyear swallowed the whole thing in a massive $2.5 billion deal that fundamentally changed the landscape of the American auto industry. Honestly, it was a move many saw coming, but it still felt like the end of an era when the ink finally dried in June 2021.
The Day the Deal Went Down
It wasn't a hostile takeover or some back-alley corporate raid. It was a calculated, strategic marriage. On February 22, 2021, the world woke up to the news that Goodyear—the biggest name in American tires—was acquiring its hometown rival, Cooper.
Wait, "hometown" isn't quite right, but they were both Ohio-born. Goodyear is the pride of Akron, while Cooper was the lifeblood of Findlay, Ohio. Seeing these two join forces was a bit like two high school rivals finally deciding to go into business together after graduation.
The deal was finalized on June 7, 2021. Goodyear paid about $41.75 per share in cash, plus a slice of Goodyear stock for every Cooper share held. When the dust settled, the "new" Goodyear was a behemoth.
Why did Goodyear want Cooper so badly?
You might wonder why a giant like Goodyear needed Cooper. It basically comes down to "filling the gaps."
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- The SUV and Light Truck Goldmine: Cooper was—and still is—a beast in the light truck and SUV market. Their Discoverer line is legendary. Goodyear wanted that specific muscle.
- The "Mid-Tier" Sweet Spot: Goodyear is often seen as a premium, expensive brand. Cooper occupied that "value-plus" space. By owning both, Goodyear can sell to the person buying a luxury SUV and the person looking for a solid, reliable set of tires for their 10-year-old F-150.
- China and Growth: Cooper had a massive manufacturing and distribution footprint in China. Goodyear basically doubled its presence in the world’s largest car market overnight.
Who owns Cooper Tire company and what changed?
If you walk into a tire shop today, the "Cooper" brand is still there. Goodyear was smart enough not to kill the golden goose. They kept the name because, frankly, people trust it.
However, the "company" as an independent entity is gone. It’s now a subsidiary. This means the big decisions—where the rubber is sourced, which plants stay open, and how much is spent on R&D—happen at Goodyear’s headquarters in Akron.
The brands under the umbrella
When Goodyear bought Cooper, they didn't just get the Cooper name. They inherited a whole family of brands that you might recognize:
- Mastercraft: A popular "second-line" brand often found in independent shops.
- Starfire: The budget-friendly option.
- Roadmaster: Their heavy-duty commercial truck line.
- Mickey Thompson: If you’re into drag racing or serious off-roading, you know this name. It was a crown jewel in Cooper's portfolio.
The Findlay Factor: What happened to the workers?
Findlay, Ohio, is known as "Flag City, USA," but it could just as easily be "Cooper City." For over a century, the company was the largest employer there. When the merger happened, there was a lot of local anxiety. Would the plants close? Would everyone be laid off?
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So far, the sky hasn't fallen. Goodyear has kept the Findlay facilities running. In fact, they’ve integrated Cooper’s "lean manufacturing" style into some of their other operations. But let’s be real: corporate mergers almost always lead to "synergies"—which is just a fancy boardroom word for cutting overlapping jobs in departments like HR, accounting, and marketing. Goodyear estimated they’d save about $165 million in these "run-rate cost synergies" within the first two years.
Is the quality still the same?
This is the question every truck owner asks. "Now that Goodyear owns them, are Cooper tires still good?"
Sorta depends on who you ask, but the technical reality is that the tires are still being made in many of the same factories by many of the same people. If anything, Cooper now has access to Goodyear’s massive R&D budget and their chemical patents.
We’re starting to see this play out in 2026. Cooper recently announced a massive expansion of their consumer range in Europe and North America, leveraging Goodyear’s "SealTech" and noise-reduction technologies. They are positioning Cooper as the "predominant second-tier brand." Essentially, if you want the best of the best, you buy a Goodyear Eagle. If you want a tire that does 90% of the work for 70% of the price, you buy a Cooper.
Looking ahead: The 2026 landscape
As we move through 2026, the tire industry is getting weird. Electric vehicles (EVs) are heavier and shred tires faster because of all that instant torque. Goodyear is using the Cooper brand to test out more durable compounds specifically for the replacement market.
It’s a smart play. People who buy a used Tesla or a Ford F-150 Lightning might not want to drop $1,500 on premium EV-specific tires. Cooper provides a middle ground.
What most people get wrong
A lot of folks think Cooper was bought by a Chinese company. This confusion usually stems from the 2013 drama when an Indian company called Apollo Tyres tried to buy Cooper. That deal blew up in a spectacular fashion involving lawsuits and labor strikes. Then there’s the fact that Cooper has factories in China (like the one in Kunshan). But make no mistake: Cooper is 100% owned by the American-based Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.
Actionable Insights for Tire Buyers
If you’re in the market for new rubber, knowing who owns who actually helps you shop smarter.
- Check the "DOT" Code: Look at the sidewall of a Cooper tire. The first two characters of the DOT code tell you the factory. Many Coopers are still made in Findlay (code UP) or Texarkana (code UT).
- Compare the Warranty: Since the merger, Goodyear has standardized many of its road hazard and treadwear warranties. Compare a Cooper Discoverer to a Goodyear Wrangler; you might find the Cooper offers a better mile-per-dollar ratio with almost identical tech.
- Support Local Dealers: Cooper was built on the backs of independent tire dealers. Even though Goodyear owns them now, those small-town shops are still the best place to get a "no-BS" opinion on whether a Mastercraft or a Cooper is right for your driving style.
- Watch for Rebates: Goodyear often runs "Buy 4, Get $100" deals. Now that they own Cooper, you'll frequently see "Goodyear/Cooper" combined promotional events. Never buy these tires at full price; a sale is always just around the corner.
The Cooper name isn't going anywhere, even if the independence is a thing of the past. It’s just one part of a much larger, Akron-managed machine now.
Next Steps for You:
Check your current tires for the DOT code to see where they were actually manufactured. If you're planning a purchase, visit the official Goodyear and Cooper Tire websites to compare their latest all-season rebates, as these are now often synchronized across both brands to save you the most money.