The Secret Auto-Safety Files
(Akron/Tire Review – Bloomberg News) For almost three years, the major automakers have shipped voluminous data to U.S. traffic-safety regulators: Eight million consumer complaints, 138 million warranty claims and 5 million field reports on product malfunctions.
Measure By Measure: Part II: Five More Ways to Grow and Maintain Tire Profits
Last time, I described six different ways for tire dealers to measure and improve tire profits. Known as key performance indicators (KPIs), these benchmarks provide a way to measure the performance of your business. KPIs are important because you can’t manage what you don’t measure. Even though many dealers agree with this business concept, most
The Short List: A Few Expert Recommendations Can Help Dealers Get Ready For TPMS
Every business that has a service bay and changes tires has at least one mantra these days – preparing for the final TPMS compliance date – Sept. 1, 2007. That’s the date when the NHTSA edict goes into full effect, mandating tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) on all new cars. However, as most observers and
BFNAT Begins Layoff Process at Oklahoma City Plant
(Akron/Tire Review) Workforce reduction plans are underway at Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire’s (BFNAT) Oklahoma City tire plant. Effective Oct. 28, 416 jobs will be terminated, according to the tiremaker.
India: New Hub of the Automotive Industry
(Akron/Tire Review) India’s car market has emerged as the fastest growing in the world.
Striking Workers See Activity at Goodyear Plant
(Akron/Tire Review – Lincoln (Neb.) Journal Star) So, who are those people in the vans rolling in and out of Goodyear’s parking lot?
PCL’s Accura Inflator Gains PTB Approval
(Clacton, U.K./Tyres & Accessories) The PCL Accura 1 inflator, launched at this year’s Automechanika, has passed the compulsory German test for digital inflation equipment.
European Union to Release Metric-Only Directive
(Akron/Tire Review) Beginning Jan. 1, 2010, the European Union Council Directive 80/181/EEC (Metric Directive) will allow the use of only metric units and prohibit the use of any other measurements for most products sold in the European Union (EU).
NASTF Issues Open Letter, Seeks Industry Involvement
(Akron/Tire Review) The National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) recently issued an ‘open letter’ to the industry, reaching out to all industry associations, organizations and businesses involved in the automotive service industry to ask for their participation on the task force.
Industry Association Membership: What’s in it For Me?
Have you ever noticed how many trade associations there are? What do they do? They want you to pay annual dues, but where does that money go? What do you get from these groups, and why should you join? Industry associations are everywhere. They exist at state, regional, national and global levels. Some have a