AUTOS

Goodyear Wins Suit Brought by Dealers: A federal judge ruled that the Akron, Ohio-based tire maker didn’t violate its dealer contracts by selling tires through mass merchandisers, the company said. Goodyear dealers and franchisees in California had sued the company, claiming it violated their contracts by signing new customers such as Sears, Roebuck & Co. Goodyear dealers sell Goodyear tires, and mass merchandisers carry tires from other makers as well and typically sell tires at discount prices. The ruling ends a bitter dispute between the nation’s largest tire maker and its dealer network. In the last year, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has tried to rebuild dealer loyalty by introducing new products.