Industry Report
Conti to Add "Low Cost" Production for N.A.Continental AG announced plans to spend upwards of $306.9 million to boost tire capacity in low-cost countries, primarily to benefit its struggling North American operations. In addition, Continental officials said the company is still seeking a partner in China.
I See Stoopid People
It’s April, so that means it’s time for some foolishness. Sadly, though, this foolishness would be funnier if it wasn’t true. See, we live in a reactive society, sort of an effect/cause existence. A lot of the inconveniences we endure – rules, regulations, product directions – are in place because someone did something really dumb.
Just the Facts: A No-Frills Web Site Can Still Draw New Business, Enhance Your Image
Just the Facts A No-Frills Web Site Can Still Draw New Business, Enhance Your Image "People buy lots of things online ®“ but not tires," I’ve heard some independent tire dealers say. But that doesn’t mean a Web site is of no use to a tire dealership. On the contrary, a well maintained, informative Web
More Than Shocks: Tap Into High Performance Suspensions
More Than Shocks If you think high performance suspension components are only for the performance shop in town, think again. You can tap into this market as well ®“ if you know which products to offer. And, you probably already have all of the equipment and skill you need to get started right now. We’re
Biz Smarts Have No Gender
Women the weaker sex? Bite your tongue. Whether you’re male or female, to be successful in the retail or wholesale tire industry, you need business smarts, the ability to overcome challenges, and, above all, brass knuckles. An interesting combination of softness, intelligence and fiery spunk, women tire dealers are roaring. Once an oddity in a
Focus on Basics: Hercules Charts a New Course, Remains Committed to Dealers
Fifty-two years ago, a group of 21 retreaders got together to create their own supply program, focused on their specific needs. Retreading is no longer part of the equation, but Hercules Tire & Rubber Co. – with 39 shareholder dealers – remains focused on meeting dealer needs. Since selling its retreading business to Cooper Tire
Your Dealership is Doomed: The Diversity of Customers
Remember the days when the only woman in your shop was the one half-naked on the calendar? Well, it’s time to forget them. The female portion of your customer base is not a "niche." In fact, women are regular – if not primary – customers of automotive service providers. Consider these statistics, courtesy of the
Industry Report
RMA Cuts Support After Court Ruling Hopes for a tire industry checkoff program were dealt a couple of significant ®€“ potentially fatal ®€“ blows in late February after yet another court ruled that a popular checkoff program’s consumer education effort was unconstitutional, and the RMA withdrew support for the proposed program.
Field of Vision: ACCC’s Largest-Ever Dealer Event Looks at Past, Future Success
ACCC’s Largest-Ever Dealer Event Looks at Past, Future SuccessIn a century-old industry, 15 years doesn’t seem like much. But to an entrepreneurial business ®€“ whether a single retail store or alliance of successful dealers ®€“ 15 years is a long time.
A ‘Direct’ Mandate
Since last year, the writers of the rules have been working overtime at what might be D.C.’s most harried agency, NHTSA. It started in August 2003, when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit tossed out NHTSA’s call for indirect tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) in its final rulemaking on the subject.
DeWine and Da Roses
Was Sen. Mike DeWine that far off base to suggest consumers should know how "new" their new tires really are? Yes, there is that whole cart-before-the-horse argument about needing scientific evidence of the impact of age on tire performance before getting consumers all cranked up. But, this is the 21st century, and I’d suggest tiremakers
Get More Back: Heard of Section 179? Put Your Taxes on Hold and Take Note
Have you heard of Section 179? If not, there’s an opportunity you may be missing. The 2003 tax year is the first of only three years during which you can expense a much higher amount of your costs of doing business. Thanks to President Bush’s economic stimulus and tax-reduction package signed into law in May