Deliver World-Beating Customer Service
The time has passed when good customer service could be measured by having a comfortable waiting room with a TV set, magazines and coffee. Today those things are expected. Customers demand much more, but “great customer service” is not as easily defined as, say, having clean restrooms. Truth is: Customer service is a tangible,
New Falken Touring Line Hits the Road
Falken Tire Corp.’s new Sincera SN211, which the company describes as a “high mileage performance touring tire,” is now on dealer shelves. Introduced first at the 2009 SEMA Show, the T-rated Sincera SN211 comes with an 80,000-mile limited mileage warranty, and a UTQG treadwear rating of 720. The SN211 features a variable lateral sipe design,
AskPatty.com’s DeVere Speaking to Tire Factory Dealers
AskPatty.com CEO Jody DeVere will be the special guest speaker at the upcoming Tire Factory annual dealer meeting next month. The meeting is set for Feb. 25-27 at the Red Lion Hotel in Portland, Ore. Founded by DeVere, AskPatty.com is an education and marketing effort aimed at women vehicle owners, developed to help them through
Taking Stock: Be Ready with Performance Upgrade Options for 2010
Many times over the years, the automotive aftermarket has been given a platform that has largely contributed to a $35+ billion industry. This year, that car was the 2010 Camaro. Baer Brakes has introduced their Baer Claw Extreme (one piece rotors) and Extreme-Plus (two piece rotors) brake systems in the 14-inch 6S and massive 15-inch
Dealers Share Tips for Success at TIA Roundtable
As usual, this year’s SEMA Show was an ideal place to see the latest trends, catch up with old friends, network with business associates and, above all else, look for ways to improve your dealership. Along those lines, the Tire Industry Association’s International Roundtable featured a new segment dedicated to helping dealers gather ideas to
Lead-Free Weight Maker Trax Expands into U.S.
Trax JH Ltd., the U.K.’s only manufacturer of wheel balance weights, has expanded its operations into the U.S. Based in Florida, Trax JH USA Inc. provides Trax branded steel adhesive weights to the North American aftermarket. The move into the U.S. follows the “overwhelmingly positive reaction” Trax received after exhibiting at SEMA 2008. The company
ASA Going It Alone, Drops Out of AAIW
The Automotive Service Association is pulling its NACE and CARS events out of next year’s Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week, opting to hold its own stand-alone event. ASA’s International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) and Congress of Automotive Repair & Service (CARS) have been part AAIW – which includes the AAPEX and SEMA Shows – for
Playing it Smart: Companies Adapt Wheel Trends in a Recovering Economy
The best thing about being at the bottom is that there is only one way to go: Up. 2009 has been a dismal year for the aftermarket industry, especially custom wheels. Manufacturers and distributors felt the downturn in 2008 and held off on new styles that required capital investment in molds and inventory. Going in
Jim’s Blog: Misc. Musings from the Aisles (or What Happens in Vegas…)
• Full plane from Cleveland mid-day on Sunday. Browns game update from the pilot met with boos. Most of the passengers, turns out, are headed to the show and weren’t about to let that bum them out. • If you’ve never been to McCarren Airport in Vegas, let me describe for you. One part shopping
South Korea Gets Another Tiremaker
South Korean mega-corporation Daewoo International Corp., involved in everything from construction to automobiles, is now in the tire business. The company took a display at last week’s SEMA Show to demonstrate its new line of Daewoo-branded passenger, light truck/SUV, medium truck and OTR radials. Daewoo plans to offer the lines around the globe, including North