Going Solo: Kenda Sees Marketshare, Brand Image Growth Opportunities
Just over four years after it began, the sales and marketing relationship between American Kenda Rubber Industrial and Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. came to a quiet end. As of May 1, Kenda will reassume control of the sales and marketing of its passenger and light truck/SUV lines, a parting that both parties call a
Daydream Believer: Bruised Brain? Burn Out? What Did I Really Miss?
When the spot came up I really wasn’t paying much attention. I usually tune out when commercials come on, preferring to save my gray matter for more important pursuits. But then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a tire roll up. It wasn’t a commercial for any of the tire companies ‘cause
Upward Trend?: Tire, Service Sales Build on February Climb
Preliminary March sales numbers from our nationwide panel of retail tire dealers show a continuing upward trend for both tire unit and service sales, building on the uptick witnessed in February. Month-over-month, sales are still below last year’s levels, but the trend (if two months makes a trend) is in the right direction. Click here
Grow Your Business With Thorough Planning, Execution
The state of the U.S. economy is on the minds of everyone; especially business people. And tire dealers, specifically, are ever vigilant to the peaks and valleys of the financial health of their own industry as well as the industries that support theirs. Even in these challenging times, however, some of those dealers believe that
Course Work: Golf Course Tire Dealers Must Aim High to Score Points
Rain, rain, go away. Come again another day. We’ve all sung that song at least once, hoping our chants would part the clouds and allow for fun outdoor activities. Like golf. Persistent rain dampened the golf course business last year, which saw total rounds played fall by 1.8% vs. 2007, the biggest decline in play
An Ounce of Prevention: Selling TPMS Preventative Maintenance Boosts Bottom Line
Among several things, winter always drops unpleasant reminders of the many issues that can affect automobile and tire performance for the rest of the year. Tire pressure monitoring systems are just one of the more recent components whose operation can be adversely affected by winter’s wrath. As is common, these issues last well into spring
Weighing Options: Mechanical Balancing or Balancing Compounds?
There is no easy answer to this age-old question, because each choice has merit. Fleets on both sides of the argument are sold on their choice and most are not about to change their minds anytime soon. Think of it in the same way people think about cars. Some will only “buy American,” while others
Forward Thinking: New Models Mean New Customization Options
Over the last few months, we discussed what industry experts and retailers are predicting for the near future. In light of those views, this month we’ll focus on several new vehicles that are heading our way. As much as I love the growl of a V8 and respect the power of a forced induction 2.0
April 2009 Sales Intelligence
Covering Lexington, Ky.; Pierre, S.D.; Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Spokane, Wash.; Phoenix, Ariz.; and Concord, N.H., retail tire marketsduring period of Mar. 17-19. For this monthly feature, InteliChek directly contacts a selection ofindependent tire dealers, mass merchants and car dealers to obtaincurrent pricing on replacement tires and vehicle services. InteliChekrequests and verifies retail prices via phone
An Up-Close Look at Wheel Balancers
Rememberwhen tire dealers and customers used to call modern day tire balancers“spin balancers?” Can you recall the time when a tire was placed on aflimsy little spindle and watched like a hawk until it found itsrightful level, then you marked the tire and pounded in the weights?Well, all that is ancient history now. With so