Moving Target: Dealers Need Sure Footing to Take Accurate Aim in New Tire World
There’s a growing phenomenon imposing its will on the tire industry these days. It’s called “global warming,” but it has nothing to do with the weather. It has everything to do with “warming up” to imports and overseas suppliers. North American tire dealers – retail and commercial – have certainly seen their brand options increase
Maximum Uptime: The Skid-Steer Tire Market is Changing, But Up-to-Date Dealers Can Profit
The Skid-Steer Tire Market is Changing, But Up-to-Date Dealers Can Profit It’s been called the Swiss army knife of construction – the most versatile of all mobile machines. It’s the ubiquitous skid-steer loader, and thanks to its compact size and suitability for specialty attachments, it can handle just about any task. Does that guarantee an
Great Leap Forward?: Recall, Rebate Change Will Impact Tire Market. But How?
Get used to seeing the word “China” in this issue. You can’t swing a useless semicolon without hitting it. It wasn’t intentional, just an odd confluence of events. Our cover feature, which looks at today’s new breed of imported tires, was decided some time ago. The recall and the change to China’s export taxes and
Sales Level Out: Tire Sales Remain Soft; Service Sales Fall
Final May 2007 results for tire sales show a softening in retail demand, with unit sales up just 1.5% over the same month last year. Preliminary numbers for June show a continuing downward trend in consumer tire purchases, coinciding with the nationwide spike in gasoline prices. Click here for July 2007 charts In the individual
Drivetrain Headaches: Do 2WD, 4WD and AWD Vehicles Need Different Tire Solutions?
Do 2WD, 4WD and AWD Vehicles Need Different Tire Solutions? Ilive in the snow belt, so I am well used to those days when a simple 45-minute drive to, say, take the kids to the circus can become a frightening eight-hour return trip. Around here, two hours of clowns and elephants is long enough for
Gadgets & Gizmos: Can Bright Ideas for Passenger Tires Apply to Commercial Markets?
Can Bright Ideas for Passenger Tires Apply to Commercial Markets? While away from home recently, I hopped into a shiny new rental car. My ride was a complimentary upgrade luxury model. In short order, I pulled over to the side of the road after deciding that I was too distracted trying to locate the controls
OE’ Means ‘Odd Equipment’: Watch for Unusual Bolt Patterns, Offsets as New Models Roll Out
Watch for Unusual Bolt Patterns, Offsets as New Models Roll Out New rides are hitting the streets, so hold on tight while we try to decipher the latest OE changes that affect our lives – both in terms of profit and frustration. First up is the most controversial – the new Jeep Wrangler JK, which
Wheel Refinishing; Tire Storage
Finish Coatings for Steel WheelsReconditioning a heavy-duty steel wheel will not only improve its appearance, it will increase its useful life, as well. There is one condition: This kind of work must be performed carefully and correctly. Fortunately, the makers of steel wheels have some guidelines. Here are some from Accuride: First, check all metal