to ban on-the-wheel plug repairs and other tire repair practices that are not consistent with industry guidelines. And while we do not have any plans to introduce legislation on the remaining topics, we expect the concepts of a properly functioning TPMS, correct inflation pressure, and regular tire rotation to have a positive impact on safety as well as the image of our industry.”
TIA also said it plans to continue the consumer education program in 2014 and beyond with new topics.
On the professional education side, TIA announced a 16-city Certified ATS Training Tour for 2013, the follow-up to the highly successful 2012 tour that hit 28 cities.
| By the Numbers |
 The 2012 Global Tire Expo, which was housed in the entire lower level ofthe South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, met – and surpassed –attendance expectations. Some 2,250 companies exhibited at the SEMA Show, including more than 500 first-time exhibitors. The event welcomed 135,000 overall attendees, of which 60,000 were buyers and 3,000 were members of the media, according to SEMA. |
TIA’s Certified ATS Instructor Program provides in-depth and comprehensive instruction on the recommended procedures for servicing modern automobiles and light trucks. Dealers can take advantage of TIA’s “train-the-trainer” model by investing in the education of a key employee who can return to the dealership as a TIA-Certified Instructor to train their other technicians.
“Based on the feedback from this year’s tour, we feel it is definitely worth the effort to revisit our most popular locations and reach some new markets in 2013,” said Kevin Rohlwing, TIA senior vice president of training. “By making the Certified ATS Program more accessible around the country, we’re confident we can continue to fulfill our mission of improving safety by raising the bar for tire retailers.”
TIA Addresses Key Legislative Issues
On the legislative front, at the annual TIA general meeting, association members approved a pair of resolutions for 2013. The first resolution positions TIA as supporting the repeal of the estate tax, while the second opposes a proposed credit card settlement.
“In nationwide polls, small business owners have expressed a deep concern regarding the death tax, and named it their primary legislative concern,” the resolution on the estate tax read. “This tax has had an overwhelmingly harmful effect upon a small business…to that end, TIA is resolved to support all federal legislation that will repeal the estate tax. If necessary, TIA will also support legislation that will extend the current law of a 35% top rate and a $5 million exemption.”
With regard to credit card processing fees, TIA’s resolution stated, “These fees are the third largest expense on a business, after labor and rent. To combat these rising costs, over 40 lawsuits have been combined in a class action suit, suing Visa and MasterCard and their issuing banks. The Merchants Payment Coalition has been formed to seek a more transparent credit card system, which will better serve retailers and consumers alike.”
But the proposed settlement “gives merchants a limited right to surcharge consumers, and it does not reduce swipe fees in the long-term,” and with such, TIA opposes the settlement.
Hankook Honors Design Students, Heroes Winner
Hankook Tire America Corp. showcased the winning innovative tire design mockups from its “Tire Design for the Future Environment” competition, in addition to honoring the winner of its first “Hankook Heroes” Facebook campaign.
The three-month “Tire Design for the Future Environment” competition, held this past spring for third-year design students at the University of Cincinnati, tasked students with creating new tire designs based on their own visions of future cars, sustainability needs such as reducing and reusing raw materials used in tire production, and the importance ofincreasing tire efficiency and meeting specific tire performance targets.
Soo Il Lee, president and CEO of Hankook Tire America Corp., presented awards to first place winner Ben Zavala for his “Tiltred” tilting tire design and to second place winner Mark Hearn for his “Motive” off-road design.
“The project brief asked our students to stretch their imagination aboutfuture cars, view the role of tires from new angles, and propose a new tire design accordingly,” said University of Cincinnati professor Raphael Zammit, who noted that Hankook designers worked with the students throughout the process, providing constructive feedback and valuable insight. “It was an all-around great project and we are truly grateful to Hankook for giving us the opportunity.”
Hankook’s Shawn Denlein, senior vice president of sales and marketing, concluded the tiremaker’s first “Hankook Heroes” Facebook campaign by awarding Derrelle Ruschel, this year’s winner, for the good he does using his car and tires. Derrelle, a married husband with four children,was nominated by his wife for his dedication to his family and unendingdevotion to raising the couple’s four boys.
Nankang Uses Flash Mob to Launch New Look
Nankang Rubber Tire Corp. took the Las Vegas Convention Center South Hall Lobby by storm on Oct. 30 with a flash mob dance routine that wowedGlobal Tire Expo attendees.
The local troupe of 35 professional dancers, all wearing red Nankang shirts and caps, busted their moves fora five-minute routine to help the Taiwanese tiremaker launch its new logo and look. A few Nankang marketing staff members even stepped up toward the end of the dance.
Nitto Celebrates Milestones 
Nitto Tire USA Corp. celebrated having recently reached two million ‘Likes’ on Facebook with a guest appearance by electronic dance music DJ and producer Steve Aoki (pictured here to the right of Tomo Mizutani, Nitto president). Show attendees enjoyed cake and received autographed posters while Aoki’s tracks played in the booth.
The event marked the countdown to Aoki’s birthday bash concert on Nov. 21, which was sponsored by Nitto. The tiremaker’s partnership with Aoki, designed to expand brand awareness and fan engagement, kicked off this summer with an exclusive track remixed for Nitto’s fans, titled, “Come With Me (Doorly Remix) Fueled by Nitto.”
