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Moishe Kohan
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First, let's formulate the question properly:

Given a topological space $X$, define $d(X)$ to be the supremum of numbers $n$ such that $X$ is homeomorphic to $Y\times {\mathbb R}^n$.

Then, working in the topological category, you are asking if there are manifolds $X, Y$ such that $d(X\times Y)> d(X)+ d(Y)$.

(The question is equivalent to yours since every principal ${\mathbb R^n}$-bundle with the total space $X$ is the same thing as a proper ${\mathbb R^n}$-action on $X$; at the same time, each principal ${\mathbb R^n}$-bundle is trivial.)

Now, here is an example: Let $X$ be the Whitehead manifold (or any other contractible 3-manifold not homeomorphic to ${\mathbb R}^3$). Then $d(X)=0$. On the other hand, $X\times {\mathbb R}$ is homeomorphic to ${\mathbb R}^4$ (see for instance here), hence, $d(X\times {\mathbb R})=4$.

The same example works in the smooth category.

Moishe Kohan
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