Where is the Bottom?: Tire, Service Sales Keep Falling, Hit New Lows
Preliminary January sales numbers from our nationwide panel of retail tire dealers indicate a continued drop in tire and service sales, a trend that surfaced in April 2008. Both tire unit sales and service sales in dollars declined heavily vs. January 2008. Clearly, consumers continue to postpone purchases. February 2009 Charts Tire Review’s exclusive dealer
Toyo Tire to Cut Up to 1,600 Jobs
(Kyodo News International) Tiremaker Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. said Monday it will slash up to 1,600 jobs in Japan, including non-regular workers, as part of its restructuring plan to tackle faltering demand for its products.
Safety Tire has new owners
(Orlando Press Register) After more than 40 years, the Saint-Evens family is out of the tire business.
Consumer Reports: Nearly Half Have Delayed Purchasing a New Car
(Aftermarketnews.com) Nearly half of Americans (48%) reported that they will wait longer before their next vehicle purchase, according to the results of Consumer Reports’ 2009 Auto Brand Perception Survey.
New Inflator from Hennessy
Hennessy Industries has released the Coats AutoFlate Digital Inflator.
New ASA Benefit Tracks Shop KPIs
Automotive Service Association (ASA) has added a member benefit that places key performance indicator (KPI) data at the fingertips of today’s service business owner.
New Size for Nokian Forest Rider
The Nokian Forest Rider, designed for CTL (cut-to-length) forestry machines, is said to be the first functional radial tyre for professional forestry use.
New Business Stagnating in Staffordshire Despite Michelin Efforts
A ≤1 million funding carrot has failed to lure start-up businesses to North Staffordshire.
Meeting Secures Threatened Jobs at Pirelli Plant in Spain
A July 21 meeting between Pirelli chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera, management from the company’s tyre manufacturing facility in Manresa, Spain, and regional government officials has resulted in a deal that has reportedly secured the jobs of 280 Manresa factory employees.
Pirelli Carlisle Cuts 60 Manufacturing Jobs
Pirelli’s Carlisle, England, factory, which employs 1,000 workers, is set to cut back 60 jobs from the firm’s operation due to foreign competition and lost orders, say local news sources.