Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has launched a new online tire business training program – eCooper University Training Rewards – for its direct and indirect wholesale and retail dealers. 
The new online program offers several courses in business. Topics covered include selling skills, business management as well as product and Cooper brand knowledge. Participants who complete the online training class will earn points toward various certifications from Cooper as well as rewards, the tiremaker said.
“Our distribution partners, whether wholesalers or retailers, are key to our success,” said Phil Caris, vice president of sales for Cooper Tire North America. “We want them to be as knowledgeable about how to sell tires and run their businesses as they are about our products and our brand. We believe that when they are successful, we are successful.”
Built on the idea of a university curriculum, the program offers certification levels comprised of several complementary classes, Cooper said.
Currently eCooper University Training Rewards offers a Basic Training level certification. Future certification levels, to be added in the next 12 to 18 months, include Sales Specialist, the tiremaker said. The program also offers 10 product specific courses.
This new program replaces the eCooper University eCertification program.
