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Bob Ulrich's Editorial

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January 21, 2010

A new year, with new possibilities  

As we try to climb out of the recession, both physically and mentally, I want to focus on the positive signs that 2010 will be better than 2009.

Tags: bob ulrich, Editorial, Tire sales

November 19, 2009

Grading the union  

No union has been in the news of late more than the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union. You know them as the United Steelworkers (USW).

Tags: bob ulrich, Chinese tire imports, Editorial, USW

Goodyear’s Double Eagle Nylon “Super-Cushion” was the 1948 version of the touring tire. Its size, 6.70-15, would sell as P215/70R15 today.
October 16, 2009

Museum gave Goodyear historical perspective  

The World of Rubber is now closed, and Charles Goodyear (at least his statue) has left the building.

Tags: bob ulrich, Goodyear

Comments(2)

September 10, 2009

The consequences of bad (or no) service  

What are the consequences of bad service? We are told that dissatisfied customers are more vocal than satisfied customers, but how great is the damage, really?

Tags: bob ulrich, Editorial, Service

August 12, 2009

Even the union won't benefit from a 55% tariff on Chinese imports  

Wow. On June 29, the International Trade Commission (ITC) voted to remedy what it considered a threat to domestic tire manufacturing — Chinese consumer tire imports — with a 55% tariff!

Tags: bob ulrich, Chinese tire imports, United Steelworkers, USW

Comments(1)

July 23, 2009

Revisiting the past, with an eye on the future  

One hundred editorials. It’s hard to believe that I’ve been editor of Modern Tire Dealer since July of 2000. With 100 editorials under my belt, I thought I’d revisit some of them, for better or worse.

Tags: bob ulrich, CEC, Editorial, Right to Repair, Tire aging

June 17, 2009

Low rolling resistance needs to be kept in perspective  

Tires are billboards for consumer information. And if you think the nomenclature is overbearing now, wait until the California Energy Commission (CEC) completes its fuel efficient tire program assignment.

Tags: bob ulrich, CEC, RMA, Rolling resistance

May 11, 2009

Tire aging: Sean Kane's passion trumps the industry's inaction  

I like Sean Kane. Over the phone he comes across as a likeable guy with an admirable agenda: He wants to improve the tire purchasing experience for consumers.

Tags: Sean Kane, Tire aging, tire safety

April 30, 2009

Tune in, chill out  

Music, according to the late British playwright William Congreve, has “charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.” Wow, that’s pretty powerful. Sort of like Kevlar.

Tags: Hotrods, Music

March 25, 2009

No debris debate: Don't legislate retreads  

Are retreads the cause of rubber on the road? Those of us in the industry know that a properly retreaded tire will not fail simply because it is retreaded. And we understand their importance.

Tags: casings, retreaded, retreads, rubber on the road

February 20, 2009

We have the resources to help you, Mr. President. Please use them  

In just 12 years, Barack Obama has gone from a politically inexperienced state senator to president of the United States. I, on the other hand, have been at Modern Tire Dealer twice that long.

Tags: CAFE standards, TIA, tire inflation

January 23, 2009

Supporters of Right to Repair legislation need to keep up the pressure  

It’s time to start over, and to push harder this time for the Right to Repair Act. Our industry needs to wholeheartedly support it when it is reintroduced after the 111th Congress convenes this month.

Tags: ASA, NASTF, Right to Repair

November 21, 2008

Medical alert: Make sure your employees receive more than fringe benefits  

Your employees are your greatest asset. Do you treat them as such? Do you offer them benefits? At the very least, do you offer them medical insurance?

Tags: benefits, insurance

October 24, 2008

Schaeffler eventually will take over Continental AG. But don’t worry  

The new agreement will not affect our long-range corporate strategy, and we will not change the way Continental conducts day-to-day business.” There you have it, straight from Continental Tire North America Inc. (CTNA) executives Matthias Schöenberg and Andreas Gerstenberger.

September 26, 2008

We’re close to an energy crisis, or ‘Obama is pro-inflation!’  

What energy crisis?” I asked in my March 2006 editorial. At the time, gas prices were hovering around a then-unheard of $2.25 a gallon, and so-called “energy problems” were threatening to destroy our way of life.

August 22, 2008

Despite real problems, the tire valve scare is not all it’s cracked up to be  

How do we know if we have sold affected valve stems that fall into this recall?” asked a dealer via e-mail. Good question, so I decided to find out. The question stemmed from the recent recall of tire valves manufactured by Topseal Shanghai Auto-Parts Co. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shanghai Baolong Industries Co. Ltd., from July through November in 2006.

July 25, 2008

2/32nds or 4/32nds? It’s the degree of safety that needs to be discussed  

Driving on a tire with 2/32nds-inch tread depth is safe. Driving on a tire with 4/32nds-inch tread depth is safe.

June 20, 2008

Thumbs up at the forum: Tire dealers voice their concerns about TPMS flaws  

When the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) mandated tire pressure monitoring systems on all light vehicles sold in the United States, tire dealers had little say in the matter.

Comments(1)

May 19, 2008

Don’t call me ‘Katie’: The effects of arrogance can be long-lasting  

A recent Wall Street Journal story revealed that the “CBS Evening News” and news anchor Katie Couric are expected to part ways before the end of the year. In other news, the NBC remake of the “Bionic Woman” was canceled after half a season.

April 25, 2008

How close is tire registration to becoming mandatory? Closer than you think  

Whenever I hear that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a “Notice of proposed rulemaking” that potentially affects the tire industry, I get a little nervous. On Jan. 24, I prepared for the worst.

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