Weighing Options: Heavier Hybrids Require Attention When Customizing
Sales of hybrid vehicles have been increasing every month, especially now that you can get a hybrid system in many of today’s popular body styles instead of just the early models that screamed, “I’m a plastic-baggy-recycling tree-hugger!” Now just a subtle badge is about the only visible difference. With fuel costs continuing to soar, what
Racing Ahead: Local Event Sponsorship Can Boost Your Brand Awareness
Local Event Sponsorship Can Boost Your Brand Awareness Last month we discussed a number of new technologies that are evolving in the tire industry. Goodyear has made huge leaps with its products over the last several years and has been the recipient of a number of awards in this year alone. It is very fitting
Trying Times: Tackling Adversity Head-on, Shop Finds Success With Forced Change
Tackling Adversity Head-on, Shop Finds Success With Forced Change Do you ever feel like your business is stuck in a rut? The doors are open, money is changing hands, but at the end of the day it just doesn’t seem to be enough, or isn’t worth the effort you are putting into your business. Have
Higher Tech: Advancements in Tire Innovations Abound…Just Look Around
Advancements in Tire Innovations Abound…Just Look Around If you’re like me, you’re intrigued and amazed at the technological advances that are introduced almost daily. New applications derived from nanotechnology to light waves are leaping exponentially. It’s almost too much to keep track of. But what about the lowly tire industry? Why can’t we have a
Getting Geeky: TPMS Issues, Vehicle Systems Keep Dealers on Their Toes
We’re at 100% TPMS compliance now. Are we having fun yet? To keep customers in your shop, plan on investing in diagnostic scanners and software, not to mention a serious investment in personnel who have an aptitude for technology. Just this week, I had a friend who owns a local tire store call me regarding
Disaster Avoidance: Calm, Calculated Approach Vital to Eliminating Wheel Offs
The 2008 NASCAR season is about to start and the testosterone is flowing. Now is the time to remind your technicians that installing wheels on passenger vehicles is not like being on a pit crew for a racecar. We all see how quickly a pit crew can change four tires, usually in 14 seconds or
New Year, Models: Getting up to Speed on the Latest OE Offerings
It’s time again for another round of OE roulette. By that I mean new applications that will either cause us grief or give us new opportunities. First off the block is the new Cadillac CTS. This car had been changed and we didn’t find out until the last minute before it was released for production.
Looking Forward: SEMA Gives a Glimpse of Coming Wheel Trends
Fresh back from the SEMA Show, I saw several trends and designs that indicate where we are headed for the next couple of years and the market potential for each. Some of the innovations came from familiar names, while others were from newcomers looking to make a name. New finishes, or in some cases old
Small Business, Big Ideas: Smaller Companies Offer Products to Fill a Niche in Your Business
Smaller Companies Offer Products to Fill a Niche in Your Business David triumphs again! That could be the slogan for many small companies who are pursuing the same consumer dollar that large companies are vying for. Except they are doing it on a tiny budget and throwing every available resource they have to capture the
Lemons & Lemonade: TPMS May Be Blessing in Disguise for Savvy Dealers
How many times have we as installers and sellers of aftermarket products been faced with federal regulations and technologies that end up making our lives more difficult? For years now, TPMS has been a thorn in most of our sides, mainly because of myopic NHTSA regulations designed to help automakers and not the general public,
Back In Time: Retro Vehicle Styling Gaining Speed While Savvy Dealers Profit
Retro Vehicle Styling Gaining Speed While Savvy Dealers Profit It’s the middle of summer, and everywhere you turn, there’s a car show or cruise happening that attracts owners of hotrods, streetrods and classics. The baby boomers are pouring untold millions into this market segment. Earlier this year, several 1969 Camaros went ‘on the block’ at
Risk vs. Reward: Selling Certain Wheel Accessories May Cause Legal Trouble
Selling Certain Wheel Accessories May Cause Legal Trouble Spinners, floaters, bead locks and accessory accent lighting. Are they legal in every state? Can the use of these products expose you to liability and undue risk? In this issue, we’re going to take a look at wheel accessories and find out if there are any problems