SEMA in Review: A Look at the Sights from the Show
It was a busy four days at the Las Vegas Convention Center and area hotels as the 2009 SEMA Show hit town last week. With a crowded show floor at the convention center, exhibitors got a lot of positive face time with active buyers, while attendees enjoyed an array of educational seminars. TIA itself hosted
LIVE AT SEMA: Cooper Ready to Roll With New Lines
Cooper Tire & Rubber had a busy week at SEMA, revealing plans for a series of new tires for some of its associate lines and talking up its green tire success. Cooper officials said that sales of its first green line, the Cooper GFE, have been outstanding, and dealer and consumer feedback have been positive.
LIVE AT SEMA: Hankook Reveals 2010 Motorsports Plans
Hankook Tire said it will continue its participation in professional drifting and time attack competition in 2010, as well as re-establish a contingency reward program for grassroots motorsports enthusiasts. In 2010 Hankook will once again sponsor Formula Drift’s Team Papadakis and Dynamic Autosports, and will expand its stable of teams to include Conrad Grunewald Racing.
LIVE AT SEMA: Refreshed TIA Web Site Hits the Internet
TIA has launched a major redesign of its Web site – www.tireindustry.org. The site has been redesigned to provide a new and sleeker look and to make navigation easier and faster, TIA said, including improved organization of information and drop-down menus. In the coming months, TIA will be working to make the existing information even better
LIVE AT SEMA: TIA Members Get Labor Law Advice
TIA announced that it has partnered with labor and employment law firm Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart to provide all TIA members with a new legal member services benefit. Former Michelin North America chairman and CEO Jim Micali is a member of the law firm. As part of the program, TIA members can contact
LIVE AT SEMA: Updated TPMS Relearn Chart Released, Digital Version in Works
TIA has introduced a revised and updated version of its popular TPMS Relearn Chart, and association officials say plans are underway to create a digital version for tire dealers. The update includes all 2009 and some 2010 model-year cars, TIA said, and can be ordered by phone (800-876-8372), or via the TIA Web site at
LIVE AT SEMA: Falken Rolls Out Latest HP, A/T Tires
Falken Tire announced two new additions: the SN211 high mileage performance touring tire, and the all-terrain, all-season, all-purpose WildPeak A/T. With an 80,000-mile limited mileage warranty, the SN211 offers long-term confidence and mile-after-mile comfort. The tire features variable sipe depth design, four optimized circumferential grooves and treadwear indicators. The SN211 is available in a wide
LIVE AT SEMA: TIA Roundtable Event Draws a Crowd
The Tire Industry Association’s International Roundtable, held Wednesday during the SEMA Show, drew roughly 150 attendees and sparked discussion among many tire dealers. The roundtable, which was the first event of its kind TIA has organized, included two segments: Best Practices in the Tire Industry, moderated by Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau managing director
LIVE AT SEMA: Vee Introduces Three New Tires
Thailand-based Vee Rubber launched three new tires at the SEMA Show: Vitron, an all-season high performance tire; Winter Season III, a studdable snow tire; and Taiga Ice Axe, a studdable light truck snow tire. The new lines are part of the company’s growing presence in North America. Sold through regional wholesalers and large tire dealerships
LIVE AT SEMA: ASA Adds eCatalog, Service Estimating to Software
ASA Tire Systems has added a comprehensive auto parts electronic catalog, sourcing and estimating solution to its TireMaster business management software. The new capabilities, made possible through the Activant Integrated Service Estimator solution, will help users expand their services, produce faster and more accurate repair estimates and source parts from a significantly larger network of