R-Compound Tires Bring Dealers Recognition, Loyalty
– R-compound (racing) tires, to be exact – could be the key to attracting new customers, bringing in added sales opportunities and boosting a dealership’s brand recognition. R-compound tires – AKA street-legal, DOT-compliant tires – are used primarily by weekend racers for autocross, racetrack or rally performance. Because they were never intended to be driven
Top Shop Honorees Share More Keys to Success
I have written this column for several years now, many times discussing various aspects of performance, whether it is tires, wheels or suspensions. And I’ve tried to focus on tangible items we can touch and measure, one against another, to derive the best product for a given application. As we head to Las Vegas and
Fixing a Hole: Total Tariff Fallout Still TBD, But Wrong Parties Were Wronged
The dust still isn’t settled on the president’s ill-advised smackdown of China-made consumer tires. There have been plenty of claims, counterclaims, predictions, wringing of hands and well-moistened crying towels, but few tangibles to date. Despite all of the Chicken Little-ing, the sky has yet to fall and we are no closer to having a handle
SPX, Bartec Link on TPMS Tool Development
SPX Service Solutions and Bartec USA have undertaken a “joint product development and distribution partnership” for TPMS diagnostic tools. The companies will work together, SPX said, on “innovating, developing and distributing TPMS tools under the SPX patented TPMS tool technology.” SPX said the companies will show their first new product at the upcoming SEMA and
It’s Right at the Intersection of We Love Dealers Alley
Goodyear chief Bob Keegan, speaking at the recent Tire Science and Technology Conference in Akron, revealed that the tiremaker has changed the name of its technical centers in Akron and Luxembourg. They are now called Goodyear Innovation Centers, in keeping, Keegan said, with Goodyear’s drive to be an innovation leader in the global tire industry.
TIA Members Elect 10 to Board
Ten people were elected to the TIA Board of Directors in its recent elections, each gaining three-year terms on the board. An 11th member was named to the board to fill an unexpired term. Gaining seats on the TIA board were: • Russell Belcher, QMI/Ever-Wear, Lakeland, Fla. • Dean Bray Jr., Bray’s Recapping Service,
Toyo Releases R-Compound Tire for Nissan GT-R
Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. introduced two new 20-inch sizes in the Toyo Proxes R888, making them the first to offer R-compound tires for the new Nissan GT-R. Originally previewed at the 2008 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the 285/35ZR20 (100Y) front and 315/30ZR20 (101Y) rear fitments are now available at authorized Toyo dealers across the
Six Named to Tire Hall of Fame
The founders of two key tire dealerships, the co-founder of one of the world’s largest tire companies, and a leading antique/classic tire marketer are among six industry leaders elected to the Tire Industry Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame class of 2009 includes: • John Kelsey, owner and president of Kelsey Tire Inc., based
After Cutbacks, Toyo Now Back on Track
Atthe start of the year, Japanese manufacturer Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. put thebrakes on expenditure in response to the global economic and financial crisis. Thepackage of measures implemented were received with a shock: layoffs, massivebudget cutbacks, withdrawal from the Tokyo Motor Show, restrictions on travelfor management and so on. Later it became public knowledge
Prep Work: How Dealers Can Get a Jump on ESC Requirements
Overall traffic fatalities reported in 2008 hit their lowest level since 1961. TheU.S. Department of Transportation released this statement in July. Theywent on to say, “that fatalities in the first three months of 2009continued to decrease. The fatality rate, which accounts for variableslike fewer miles traveled, also reached the lowest level ever recorded.” Asdifficult as