Fewer Dealerships a Wrench in New Mechanics Plans?
(San Jose Mercury News) Shane Kee loves to tinker with his purple and white 1970 Chevrolet pickup truck but recently turned down a job offer to turn wrenches at a Chevy dealership.
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
Where Will All the Street Tires Go?
Having the ability to interchange used and retreaded tires of the same size on different axles is a luxury most tire managers have enjoyed for decades. Although new tires are almost always selected to be axle-specific, the differences relate to tread pattern design and tread depth. Long wear and resistance to irregular wear are properties
Smaller Demand: With Vehicle Downsizing, Large Wheels Are Tough to Sell
A few years ago, you could buy a 20-inch chrome-plated wheel from China for $125. Now that the Chinese government has reduced or removed subsidies to those wheel manufacturers and the U.S. dollar has lost value, those days are about gone. This article was planned a year ago, but I had no idea how much
Keeping Up: Ever-Changing Market Challenges Custom Wheel Segment
If you’re one of the tire dealers out there who already has a reputable custom wheel business, consider yourself lucky. Choosing to enter this market segment now is more challenging than in years past, due to a fairly heavy upfront investment, trying economic times, constantly evolving sizes and styles, and required expertise in the areas
Weighing Options: Heavier Hybrids Require Attention When Customizing
Sales of hybrid vehicles have been increasing every month, especially now that you can get a hybrid system in many of today’s popular body styles instead of just the early models that screamed, “I’m a plastic-baggy-recycling tree-hugger!” Now just a subtle badge is about the only visible difference. With fuel costs continuing to soar, what
Tire Management: A Good Program Finds True Cost-Per-Mile
Fleets know they need to have good tire management to control costs, but setting up the right program can be a challenge. Many fleets work with their tire dealers and count on them to provide cradle-to-grave service. However, even the best supplier-support programs require fleets to provide some basic tire care. By establishing a consistent
New Year, Models: Getting up to Speed on the Latest OE Offerings
It’s time again for another round of OE roulette. By that I mean new applications that will either cause us grief or give us new opportunities. First off the block is the new Cadillac CTS. This car had been changed and we didn’t find out until the last minute before it was released for production.
Looking Forward: SEMA Gives a Glimpse of Coming Wheel Trends
Fresh back from the SEMA Show, I saw several trends and designs that indicate where we are headed for the next couple of years and the market potential for each. Some of the innovations came from familiar names, while others were from newcomers looking to make a name. New finishes, or in some cases old
Five Things You’re Doing Wrong and How To Fix Them
For as long as there have been tire magazines, we have looked for ways to improve your business. For the most part, we have focused on the basics – clean restrooms, inviting showrooms, training, technology, radialization, computerization, inventory control, employee pay and more. But, that was then, and this now. Many of you have taken