SAO PAULO, Brazil -- Goodyear Brazil, has been recognized by Carta Capital, a business magazine in Brazil, as the most admired company in the autoparts industry for 1999.

In a survey conducted with the market research company, Interscience, the publication honored a total of 39 organizations representing a specific market niche. In the autoparts segment Goodyear competed with 17 other companies.

"This is indeed an honor for Goodyear Brazil," said Chris Clark, managing director of Goodyear Brazil. "It is a testimonial to the dedication and work ethic of all of our associates in all phases of our business."

"This survey is similar to that carried out by Fortune magazine in the USA, but we are not evaluating billing (sales). We are evaluating the admirability level," added Ivani Rossi, planning director of Interscience.

"Experts in each industry were surveyed and asked to grade from zero to 10 each company in their industry," explained Adriana Wilner, Carta Capital editor. The same scale was used to judge variables that served as measurement of a company's prestige: products and service quality, strong trademark desired by the market, innovation, quality in management, quality in working environment and professional development, financial solidity, esponsibility for the community and environment, and commitment to the country development.

Other companies receiving recognition were: Nestlé, Itaú (bank), Coca-Cola, Visa, Natura (cosmetics), Alcoa, Philips, Kodak, McDonald's, Pão de Açucar (supermarket chain).

"For Goodyear Brazil, this recognition is a source of great pride," said Clark. "Besides being considered outstanding in relation to the human resources market, we are now being distinguished as one of the best autoparts company in institutional image."