Show Me ‘Value’: Affinia Shift on Trade Shows May Herald Broader Search for Real Returns
Curious if the economy, ever-rising fuel costs and tough business conditions will impact the upcoming Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week – the combined SEMA and AAPEX shows in Las Vegas? The answer is ‘Yes.’ Sort of. While ‘official’ figures are hard to come by, there was plenty of physical evidence that attendance at last year’s AAIW
Not on the Nitro Bandwagon
Jim, Your pushing the N2 program appears to be driven by advertising dollars. This whole thing is a sham propagated by equipment manufacturers. In our neck of the woods, N2 is already being given away for free with a tire purchase. We use the Consumer Reports article to show that N2 is not the value
Tire Aging Feedback
I haven’t even finished reading your article (First Off, June 2008) and I’m compelled to write and thank you. Your insight and objectivity on this issue are certainly welcomed by me and, I’m sure, many other tire dealers. I, too, was upset by the ABC 20/20 piece and its obvious (to us) sensationalistic approach. But
Last Wake-Up Call: Blistered by Another ‘Problem,’ It’s Time the Industry Takes Action
Anger. Disappointment. Frustration. Resignation. I hurtled through a range of negative emotions after watching ABC’s “20/20” assault on the tire industry. After turning the whole thing over in my mind countless times, I finally came to the conclusion that it didn’t really matter. They were right. 100% right. ABC’s 10-minute primetime pasting of tire retailers
Thanks for Highlight
Thank you so much for the outstanding article on Atlantic Tire & Service displayed in May’s publication of Tire Review. It really meant a lot to us to be recognized not only for our most recent award, but also for your taking the time to do an in depth story on our business. On
Tread Depth Details
I’m giving a seminar on tread depth issues at the Automechanika show in Toronto in June. In reference to your February column “For Gatlin’s Sake," (a great column incidentally) I would correct one item, to wit: Canada’s tread depth law is 1.5 mm, which is less than 2/32-inch by a hair. But a hair is
Missing at Reifen?
I also attended the Reifen show last month in Essen, Germany. I was looking on the Internet for some evaluation/description of the show and found your blog. Actually I didn’t Google "Reifen 2008 in media.” I used the "why Bridgestone didn’t attend Reifen 2008." I’m curious about this because, from our understanding, Bridgestone, Michelin and
Misc. Folder: NTSW, Checkoffs, Greening, Spending, Shops & a Really Odd EU Scheme
You don’t necessarily see all of this, but I find it quite interesting to watch so many tiremakers, car dealers and non-tire dealer retailers jump aboard the National Tire Safety Week boat. Come April, we get flooded with news about free inflation pressure checks, tire gauges, educational events, press conferences, spokespeople…the list goes on and
Reality Check: Truthiness, Pizza, Ambition and the American Way
As this marks my 100th column as editor of Tire Review – and it is April! – I thought I’d offer this little but pertinent business parable. There once was a man with ambition and a plan. Slaving away as the assistant manager of a local pizza joint, he felt there had to be a
Fuzzy ‘Fix’: Ill-Placed Countervailing Duties Counter to Free Market Economy
Been thinking about this whole Chinese tire-International Trade Commission/Commerce Department matter. And it is a difficult one, to be sure. I am not necessarily a fan, for instance, of good manufacturing jobs leaving these shores. But I do understand – and agree with – the concept of a Free Market Economy. You know, the one
Powerful Stuff: Recent Teen Accident Shines Light on Teen Driving Class Column
Recent Teen Accident Shines Light on Teen Driving Class Column Your editorial (First Off, November 2007) was very powerful and struck a chord with me since a 17-year-old girl (without a drivers license) was killed in a horrific accident here the other day. She was speeding with a car full of kids and the rest
For Gatlin’s Sake: Momentum Builds for National Tread Depth Regs, But Much More to Do
A full year has gone by since we threw our support behind a national 4/32nds tread depth law (5/32nds for Class 3-8 trucks), and urged tire dealers to press their state legislators and Congresspeople to act. And I am pleased to report that things are moving. The idea gained additional steam last year, especially after