The Final Word: NHTSA Clears the Air on TPMS Regs and Plus-Sizing Conundrum
Knowledge and information. Both are more critical in today’s automotive industry than at any other time in history. Unfortunately, most of us lack the time to read every detail regarding the very products that give us our livelihood. It doesn’t help when government agencies, trade groups – even word-of-mouth – confuse and confound what should
Back to Basics: Performance Success Comes Down to Knowing Your Wheels
In our ever-changing performance industry, we must always be aware of what our retail customers need and demand from us. Technical knowledge – the ability to quickly and accurately help them make the best and safest wheel and tire choices – is paramount. Time was that custom wheel selection and fitment was relatively simple. Not
Sell the Sizzle: Building a Strong Performance Business Takes More than Prayer
When it comes to building high performance tire and wheel sales, offering the right products and having strong technical skills are only parts of the equation. Perhaps more than any other segment, marketing plays a huge role in building a solid, loyal customer base. In this Performance Training Guide article, we’ll look at success-building techniques
Problem Solving
Over the pages of this annual Performance Training Guide, we’ve covered the technical aspects of custom wheels and how to sell them. Now we’ll discuss the last part of the equation: mounting and balancing. We won’t discuss how to mount and balance tires and wheels; you ought to know how to do that. But we
Wrappin’ Up: Finishing One Big Toy and Finding Another Lift Option
Picking up where we left off last month, there is one more quick lift product that I want to cover and it’s name is, well, QuickLift. Newly developed by the team at Rancho Suspensions (gorancho.com), this product allows you to raise the nose of most popular 1/2-ton trucks from 1-inch to 2.5 inches. This will
Turning Stock to Rock: Bolt-on Lift/Lower Kits Simplify Installation, Drive Big Profits
How many times have you worked on a vehicle that has a modified suspension, either lifted or lowered, and wondered if you could perform that kind of work in your shop? This issue will take you through the steps needed to lift a Nissan Titan and install a set of tires and wheels for a
Real Big Toys: Big Trucks Offer Opportunities for Big Suspension, Tire Upgrades
Following up on last month’s subject of new products for cars, we’re tackling the truck market this month. Let’s face it: Some Americans are always going to want a big truck, or bigger than they had last year or one with diesel power. That being said, I’ve tracked down a few new products to help
No Muss, No Fuss: Bolt-On Performance Upgrades Can Offer Easy Profit Potential
The automotive industry is an ever-evolving, ever-changing entity, both for manufacturers and consumers. Knowing and predicting trends can lead to huge sales and profits. This month and next, we will cover a few of the trends I see over the horizon, many of which involve products you can easily sell and install with existing personnel
Hot Off the Lot: As 2007 Models Roll In, Keep an Eye on Aftermarket Opportunities
After all my years of writing this column, I would have hoped by now that the people who design and build new vehicles would appreciate the insight into the aftermarket that Tire Review offers each month. That being said, I have gathered information on several new vehicles and will offer a few tips on wheel,
Donks, Boxes & Bubbles: Hot Stuff From the SEMA Show Can Put Profits Into Overdrive
From street rods to ‘donks’ to high-performance European machines and ‘invisible wheels,’ this year’s SEMA Show had you covered with new and innovative products to help you improve your sales. Plus, there was a new tool that helps reduce back injuries while improving ride by centering the wheels on a vehicle’s hub. First up: the
Get it Straight: Don’t Miss Out on Alignment Profits Due to Equipment Concerns
Being in this industry for as long as I have, I have watched businesses thrive on aftermarket wheels and tires. One thing I’ve noticed, however, is that many high-volume wheel businesses rarely offer alignments. This poses both a problem and an opportunity. The problem: While these businesses are turning out dozens of large tire and
Above and Beyond: Knowing the Latest TPMS Technology Will Set Your Business Apart
Picking up from where we left off in August, this month, we’re going to flip to the other side of the TPMS coin and see what’s going on in the aftermarket. The aftermarket was born from the creative minds of people who were able to adapt. TPMS is no different. Instead of being afraid of