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August 4, 2010

Survey results not so surprising about TPMS

A recent survey conducted by Schrader International found that 46% of drivers couldn’t figure out what the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) “idiot light” on their dashboard really was. Seems consumers can’t interpret the art – that U-shaped icon with an exclamation point on the inside.

Tags: Schrader, TPMS

Author: Lori L. Mavrigian | Posted @ Wednesday, August 4, 2010 9:20 AM | » Comments(0)

July 15, 2010

Memphis commercial tire dealer can rescue the fire department

I have a hot tip for a good commercial tire dealer in Memphis, Tenn. The fire department needs you.

Tags: Commercial tire dealers, Memphis

Author: Lori L. Mavrigian | Posted @ Thursday, July 15, 2010 8:16 AM | » Comments(1)

June 16, 2010

Competitor offers insights that can benefit your business

I recently received a press release from a leading chain of transmission and auto care service centers that was titled "Why Use Auto Repair Chain for Repairs?" It provides some interesting facts and figures which pertain to independent tire dealerships that compete with the chain for a share of the automotive service pie.

Tags: Auto service

Author: Lori L. Mavrigian | Posted @ Wednesday, June 16, 2010 8:36 AM | » Comments(0)

May 17, 2010

Mark your calendars for classic car appreciation events

Mark your calendars for a couple of events that cater to Americans’ love affair with their automobiles.

Tags: Classic cars

Author: Lori L. Mavrigian | Posted @ Monday, May 17, 2010 1:46 PM | » Comments(1)

April 19, 2010

Rebates are running rampant!

When a dealer says something to me like, "I hope rebate mania ends," I, of course, have to check it out. And in so doing, my respect for independent tire dealers just got hitched up a notch, again.

Tags: Rebates

Author: Lori L. Mavrigian | Posted @ Monday, April 19, 2010 11:12 AM | » Comments(0)

March 8, 2010

Update: Dealer wins, and so does charity!

Let's hear it for Steve Case, vice president of Case Tire In Gastonia, N.C., who came in first place in his "Dancing for Future Stars" dance contest! The big winner was the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Gaston, which netted $20,000 from the charity event.

Tags: Charity, Steve Case

Author: Lori L. Mavrigian | Posted @ Monday, March 8, 2010 2:34 PM | » Comments(0)

February 23, 2010

Dealer says, ‘Move those barcodes!’

Barcodes allow tire manufacturers to efficiently sort tires for shipping and track tires for quality purposes and possible recalls. But do they have to be stuck on the tire bead?

Tags: Barcodes, Tire manufacturing

Author: Lori L. Mavrigian | Posted @ Tuesday, February 23, 2010 11:58 AM | » Comments(12)

February 11, 2010

From intelligent tires to intelligent vehicles

The "smart tire" concept has been around for a number of years. Intelligent tires have electronic sensors embedded in them that can transmit data about the tire's performance, tracking heat, mileage, repairs, etc., to optimize performance.

Tags: Smart tires

Author: Lori L. Mavrigian | Posted @ Thursday, February 11, 2010 12:23 PM | » Comments(1)

January 14, 2010

Tire dealer steps it up for charity

Steve Case, vice president of Case Tire In Gastonia, N.C., is giving back to his community -- and having a grand time doing it. He's participating in a "Dancing for Future Stars" dance contest!

Tags: Case Tire, Charity

Author: Lori L. Mavrigian | Posted @ Thursday, January 14, 2010 2:09 PM | » Comments(0)

December 31, 2009

Time passes quickly when you're covering the tire industry

There have been a lot of changes in the tire industry since I started writing about it in 1979.

Tags: Globalization

Author: Lori L. Mavrigian | Posted @ Thursday, December 31, 2009 12:00 PM | » Comments(0)

November 12, 2009

Will you marry me? Great! Now where's my cell?

"Martin proposed to Olivia!" squealed the woman sitting next to me at the airport. She held out her cell phone so her husband could read the text message. "Wait!" the woman said. "Let me check Martin's Facebook page. It says, "Olivia said yes!"

Tags: Michelin, Technology

Author: Lori L. Mavrigian | Posted @ Thursday, November 12, 2009 8:41 AM | » Comments(2)

October 21, 2009

Press release offers insight into AAA tire retailing practices

Since a AAA club based in Cincinnati, Ohio, recently acquired 30 retail tire stores, I find myself looking at AAA's press releases e-mailed to me in a new light. As I see it, they're now offering a glimpse into the business philosophy of a retail tire dealer -- not just an automobile club.

Tags: AAA, Retail tire market

Author: Lori L. Mavrigian | Posted @ Wednesday, October 21, 2009 1:24 PM | » Comments(0)

September 3, 2009

Decision on Chinese tire imports will have far-reaching impact

If you've been curious about how a Chinese tire manufacturing plant operates, check out this link: http://english.cctv.com/program/bizchina/20090903/103737.shtml. It will connect you to the China Central Television (CCT) news organization. The footage was included in a news report on the imported Chinese tire tariff battle being fought in the U.S.

Tags: Chinese tire imports, Tarrifs

Author: Lori L. Mavrigian | Posted @ Thursday, September 3, 2009 1:06 PM | » Comments(2)

July 7, 2009

From the 'track' to the 'cul-de-sac'

Years ago when I volunteered for my local zoo, we were asked to save the cardboard rolls from paper towels so they could be re-used in animal-enrichment projects on Earth Day.

Tags: Going green, Yokohama Tire Corp.

Author: Lori L. Mavrigian | Posted @ Tuesday, July 7, 2009 8:41 AM | » Comments(2)

May 5, 2009

With antifreeze, bitter is better

At one of the last tire dealerships I visited, there was a big puddle of green antifreeze shimmering in the parking lot in front of a service bay.

Tags: Antifreeze, H.R. 615, Legislation

Author: Lori L. Mavrigian | Posted @ Tuesday, May 5, 2009 7:53 AM | » Comments(3)

April 24, 2009

Stokes Tire Pros still a champion in my book

So what if its involvement in a run at a Guinness World Record didn't pan out? Stokes Tire Pros still comes out a winner.

Tags: Air pressure, Earth Day, Stokes Tire Pros

Author: Lori L. Mavrigian | Posted @ Friday, April 24, 2009 9:36 AM | » Comments(1)

March 13, 2009

In golf -- and business -- 'There's only one way to play the game'

One of my fondest memories will always be sitting with my father by the 18th hole of the Firestone Country Club watching the great golfers finish their rounds during a NEC World Series of Golf event.


Author: Lori L. Mavrigian | Posted @ Friday, March 13, 2009 8:25 AM | » Comments(2)

February 27, 2009

'I choose not to participate in the recession'

Dave Cuza, co-owner of Big O Tires of Cathedral City, Calif., is dealing with the current economic downturn in his own way. "I choose not to participate in the recession," he says.


Author: Lori L. Mavrigian | Posted @ Friday, February 27, 2009 12:21 PM | » Comments(1)

January 27, 2009

Woman, 83, suffocates in cat's litter box

My mom said to me the other day, "'Woman suffocates in cat's litter box' is not the title I want over my obituary!" At 83, she's a little unsteady on her feet, and she revealed she almost took a header into Mr. Fluffy's toilet.


Author: Lori L. Mavrigian | Posted @ Tuesday, January 27, 2009 12:43 PM | » Comments(0)

January 8, 2009

'Tire stretching' and survival of the fittest

The trend of "tire stretching" was just brought to my attention. That's where people are stretching a narrower tire over a wider wheel, making the sidewalls stretch outward to hit the wheel lip.


Author: Lori L. Mavrigian | Posted @ Thursday, January 8, 2009 8:23 AM | » Comments(13)

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