It was a big year for Continental Tire the Americas’ Gold Dealer program with a record number of tire dealers qualifying for its 10th annual incentive trip. This year 304 dealers, including 31 new Elite dealers, sold more than 2,000 units in 2014 to attend a cruise through the Caribbean with a guest on March 23-29. 
Conti’s 2014 Gold Dealer meeting was about turning the corner and becoming the dealer’s number one program. In 2015, Conti talked about how the tiremaker is continuing its work towards No. 1 status.
During Conti’s business meeting, the tiremaker recapped what it worked on in 2014, announced four new tires, a new website and new programs available to dealers.
Company executives also addressed results from a survey following last year’s meeting. Among top dealer concerns expressed in the survey were for Conti to increase supply, provide more OE fitments on domestic cars, expand the product line, increase brand awareness, provide more contact from sales reps and assist with the dealer’s profitability.
Addressing dealers concerns for more products, Conti is launching four new products in 2015 and has plans for more in the future.
“We will work very diligently to fill our product portfolio so you have more business opportunities with your customers and with us,” said Joe Maher, product manager for Continental.
New tires this year include the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 and the Continental Winter Contact SI, as well as the General Grabber Artic LT and the General Grabber HTS60.
The ExtremeContact DWS06 is an UHP all-season tire. It replaces the ExtremeContact DWS and will be available in 52 sizes, starting in May, with 87 sizes total by September.
The Winter Contact SI is a studdless winter tire for passenger cars, minivans and CUVs. The tire replaces the ExtremeWinterContact, comes in T and H speed ratings and will be available to order in spring 2015.
The Grabber Artic LT replaces the AltiMax Artic LT and is designed specifically for use by light trucks. The tire is pinned for studs and is rated for load range E. Tire dealers can start ordering the tire in spring 2015, with tires shipping in the fall.
The tiremaker also announced the General Grabber HTS60 will be available in 2015, but it did not provide any detail about the tire.
New in 2015, Continental will also offer a Total Confidence Plan to consumers for all of its P/LT replacement tires.
Total Confidence Plan offers flat tire roadside assistance, customer satisfaction trial, limited warranty, mileage warranty and road hazard, three-year complimentary flat change or towing up to 150 miles at no charge.
In addition, Continental is launching a credit card, starting April 1. Offered through Synchrony Financial, the new credit card offers customers six to 12 months special financing, convenient monthly payments, and the card is accepted at all U.S. Exxon and Mobil gas station locations.
Offering the card to customers offers dealers benefits as well, Continental said. With the deferred interest, the card can assist consumers in making a jump from purchasing a lesser expensive import tire.
“By putting that tool in the dealers hands, we’re hoping they can sell a more premium product for the consumer’s vehicle and satisfy the customer with better product,” Travis Roffler, director of marketing, told Tire Review. “Then it creates a loyalty reward program; when you get the bill in the mail that dealer has the opportunity to offer you other incremental offers at his dealership.”
Dealers who sign up a customer for the card will also see their name branded at the bottom of the credit card, Roffler said.
For more from the Continental dealer meeting, check out April’s Tire Review.
