Battles Loom for Auto Care Service Aftermarket
Tire dealers stand out among the auto care industry service outlets as one of the only segments to grow in total retail outlet population over the past eight years. Since 2006, the tire dealers have grown in number of outlets by 1.1% to 19,958 locations in 2014, while the rest of the service sector has
European Program from Michelin to Reimburse Unrealized Fuel Savings
Michelin is offering price per kilometer tire management contracts with a contractual fuel-saving commitment for the first time in Europe, according to Tyres & Accessories. The company announced the program at the Commercial Vehicle Show 2015 in Birmingham, United Kingdom, calling it a “new pan-European value-creation offer for road transport fleets.” The solution is titled
Mobile Platform Leverages Vehicle Data to Diagnose, Provide Quotes to Drivers
A new automotive repair platform debuted at the New York International Auto Show this week that will remotely diagnose automotive vehicle problems and deliver consumers competitive repair quotes from local mechanics. The platform, OpenbayConnect from Openbay, is a “first-of-its-kind platform that leverages connected-car technology,” according to the company. “We live in an on-demand society, and
Steer Axle Tires
While every single tire position on a commercial tractor/trailer is important, the most watched tires on any rig reside on the steer axle. They are the first to touch the road when a driver pulls out of the yard, but more importantly they are the only tire that will eventually reach every axle positions. And
There For The Taking
Service and maintenance opportunities grow, but multiple challenges and competition can trip up tire dealers
The Future is Here, Dealing With the Reedros
“In the very near future, though, computer chips embedded in tires might be able to report exact real-time inflation pressures and tire temperatures. Further down the road, technology may allow for live treadwear readings and mileage projections, temperature readings at specific positions within a tire, or even early detection of internal damage that could lead
Michelin Reaches Deal in Brazil
Michelin announced that it has finalized a deal to acquire Sascar, a Brazilian fleet-tracking and freight-security company, for about $717 million. The acquisition would enable Michelin to expand its service offerings and accelerate the growth of its truck tire business in Brazil, said the company. “Michelin will benefit from the client base and technical and
U.S. Aftermarket Expected To Grow Through 2017
The U.S. automotive aftermarket is expected to grow on a compound annual growth rate of 3.4% until 2017, according to the “2014 Joint Channel Forecast Model” produced jointly by the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) and the Auto Care Association. The 2014 Joint Channel Forecast Model predicts that the rate of growth will equal an
Conti Develops Tread Depth E-Sensor, Ready by 2017
Most of us know the ‘penny test’ but in the years to come we’ll be able to spend our loose change rather than use it to gauge tread depth. Continental AG says it intends to add an automatic tread depth reading feature to its ETIS (Electronic Tire Information System) and aims to make this available
A Sit Down with Joergenrud of Robert Bosch
[Editor’s note: This interview first appeared in Tire Review’s sister publication aftermarketNews.]Odd Joergenrud, regional president of the North America Automotive Aftermarket Division of Robert Bosch, sits down to discuss Bosch’s extensive investment in R&D, the rapid pace of product development and the company’s passion to protect its intellectual property. Last month, Robert Bosch announced a