After Rough 2009, Conti and Gold Dealers Steaming Ahead
Just as it takes a steady hand to navigate the waters of the Caribbean, Continental Tire the Americas is taking the same approach to its near-term efforts in the North American market. No major changes, no major announcements, just subtle adjustments and the addition of two new tires highlighted its Gold Program Dealer Meeting, held
Assurance Gets First Makeover With ComforTred Touring
In its first major overhaul of its Assurance line, Goodyear has launched the all-new Assurance ComforTred Touring. First announced at Goodyear’s annual dealer meeting earlier this year, the line got its formal send off during a special dealer and media driving event held in early May in Monterey, Calif. Attendees were able to try out
‘Performance’ Tires Are Everywhere: Do They Still Stand Out?
What is performance? A recent commercial by stalwart automakerMercedes-Benz asks the question – and then sets about answering it ascompletely as 30 seconds of prime-time television can. Sparing their hyperbole, arguably performance is action – it is doing.Whether something is doing well is an altogether different point. Tiremakers develop what they term “high
Renewable Materials, New Combinations Improving Tire Breed
As a dealer, you are already familiar with the fact that renewable materials from plants are used in the production of some tires. Natural rubber, which comes from latex collected from rubber trees, is one of them. Another is rayon, which comes from plant cellulose. Rayon is used as part of the carcass, a reinforcement
Trailer Tire Segment Begins to Pull Forward After Downturn
After a down year in 2009, the trailer tire segment is heading back to its usual pattern of slow, steady growth. In the last decade, sales of trailer tires had grown year-on-year until last year’s economic downturn, where it seems no segment was left unaffected. As with all discretionary purchases, sales of trailers themselves –
New Global Tire Expo to Bring Entire Industry Together, Expand Potential
The tire industry’s role in the SEMA Show – and with SEMA – changed dramatically with the creation of the tire industry-only Global Tire Expo Powered by TIA, and TIA gaining permanent seats on two key SEMA committees. Announced by TIA on March 31, the formation of the GTE came five months after TIA and
Toyo’s Sendai Plant More Than Modern Enough to Meet Customer Needs
Ask Toyo folks about the company’s tire plants in Japan, and you’ll get the same answer: "Have you seen our plant in Georgia?" Still, while Toyo’s showcase plant in the U.S. houses the tiremaker’s highly automated ATOM production system, its two manufacturing facilities in its homeland are no slouches.In February, we had the opportunity to
Nokian Tyres Launches New Hakka 7, Outlines Global Growth Strategy
In March, Nokian Tyres gave North American dealers a preview of its new winter tire, the Hakkapeliitta 7, by inviting select U.S. and Canadian dealers and media to Finland for an introduction. The tiremaker also used the trip as an opportunity to show off its headquarters and state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, as well as to share
Pirelli’s Intelligent Cyber Tire ‘Speaks to the Car’
As with all tiremakers, Pirelli’s R&D department in Milan, Italy, works to deliver increased active and passive safety to drivers. But one new tool in its arsenal is a computerized chip installed in the carcass of what has been dubbed “Cyber Tire.” Development of the Cyber Tire began several years ago. Unlike previous “tire chip”
Reassuring and Serving Customers Suffering From Sticker Shock
There was never a doubt in my mind that I would own a BMW one day. Call it fate, call it kismet, karma…whatever. I’ve had my eye on that propeller badge since infancy and nothing could stop me from buying that car. Well, almost nothing. I put off ownership of a small BMW for years
Class Act Helps Lead Dealers to TPMS Success
ntributed to the trade organization’s information base. “They’ve been big supporters of ours,” he says. “In addition, all of the major TPMS tool manufacturers provide information to our organization about new product introductions, which keeps our training current.” He says that TIA’s ultimate goal is for tire technicians to know how to service all TPMS
A Look at the Latest Nitrogen Inflation Innovations
The company also offers a variety of point-of-purchase materials to help tire dealers maximize their nitrogen profits. Some popular items include a countertop tri-fold display that explains the benefits of nitrogen and custom cap kits to distinguish a particular shop’s nitrogen offering. NitroFillAlready with many nitrogen equipment options to choose from, NitroFill (nitrofillnow.com) recently introduced