Will Tire Case Toll the Final End to Personal Responsibility?
Product liability lawsuits are nothing new. Dozens of tire-related ones are floating through our court system today. Many will be settled before they reach a courtroom, the details sealed for all time. Others will pass through without mention. And some will attract a ton of attention. A ton or two. Heart-crushing stories of tragic deaths
Does Sharp Fall in Buying Intent Signal the End of the Car Culture?
On the face of it, seven years doesn’t seem like much. Ask any parent. Seven years is the difference between bringing a newborn home and watching him or her get on a school bus. That time goes by in the blink of an eye.Seven years, though, is a marketer’s dream. The highly prized 18-24-year-old demographic
Content is King: We’re Delivering Every Possible Flavor
At a recent seminar on digital media, one of the panel experts uttered this phrase: “It’s the content, stupid.” That brusque Clintonesque sound bite was meant to rattle. Until that point, the room was fixated on delivery methods. The panelist’s sharp comment snapped everyone’s attention back to the most important element of any publication –
TIA Steps Up With GTE, Now Industry Needs to Get on Board
There is no "I" in "team." If we’ve heard that golden adage once, we’ve heard it a gazillion times. But there is an "I" in "Integrity." And in "Industry." And especially in "Unity." In late March, after five months of meetings, research, discussions and planning, TIA and SEMA took the wraps off of an all-new,
Collaboration, Not Consolation, Should Guide Tire Regulations
The European tire industry did not wait until the legislator forced them to make progress on safer or cleaner tires. The industry voluntarily announced in November 2006 that it wanted to contribute to the global efforts for reducing CO2 emission while securing the safest tires on the market.” – European Tire & Rubber Manufacturers’ Association
‘Big Company’ Marketing Savvy Can be Great for Tire Dealers
In very basic terms, marketers consider two primary groups: Leaders and Followers. Because most consumer goods and services evolve over time, Leaders can become Followers and vice versa. So these targets are regularly sifted, sought and catered to. Leaders seek out the latest technology or design or performance, constantly seeking an edge in their lives.
The New Frugality: Consumer Withdrawal Runs Deep, May Last the Decade
The last tumultuous decade was the 1980s, which opened with hyper-inflation, high unemployment and astronomical interest rates, and closed as the “Me Decade” when dollars flowed easy and greed was good. The decade we just laid to rest – The Aughts – by contrast, will likely be remembered as the “Decade of Benign Neglect.” Coming
Reality Check: How Was the Show? Some Straight Talk About SEMA 2009
So, how was the show? In the past, that conversational query required minimal response. Kinda like, “So, how was vacation?” or “So, how was the movie?” the inquirer assumed the best and really wasn’t asking for any other reason than to be, well, politely interested. Today, post SEMA 2009, “So, how was the show?” is
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
50 State Solution? Add It All Up and the Writing is On the Wall
Three years ago, the RMA was busy crafting and politicking a federalbill on tire fuel efficiency that eventually became part of the 2007Energy Bill. Back in 2005, you’ll recall, gas prices were goingthrough the roof. $2.20, then $2.45, then $2.60. Tires, as always,became the focal point, with consumers looking for ways to save moneywith “better”
Twitiots & Me: When Old School Editor Goes New School, Bad Things Happen
Twitter I just don’t get. Fact is, the entire “social media” thing escapes me. It’s not media – there is no “news” involved – it’s just a bunch of people socializing…if you can even call it that. I’m an old-school guy. I still read newspapers – what few there are – and have a landline
With Both Feet: Dealers Show Business Success Means Doing Things Differently
Rare is the spring weekend in northeast Ohio with wall-to-wall pleasant temperatures and no rain. So rare that local brides grit their teeth and light votive candles by the score, hoping their dream day doesn’t become a deluge disaster. Indeed, holding a full weekend event in these parts involves more prayer than planning. Little wonder