September 1, 2010
It was only a matter of time before tire manufacturers began introducing application software (or "apps") for smartphones and other mobile communication devices.
Tags: Smartphones, tire software
Author: Mike Manges | Posted @ Wednesday, September 1, 2010 1:25 PM | » Comments(0)
August 24, 2010
As a partner in ACT Research, a publisher of commercial vehicle data and analysis, Kenny Vieth tracks trucking industry trends very closely. He likes what he's seeing.
Tags: ACT Research, Medium truck tires, retreads, Trucking industry
Author: Mike Manges | Posted @ Tuesday, August 24, 2010 11:57 AM | » Comments(0)
August 6, 2010
As you continue to build your social media presence, don't forget to keep things, well, social. At least that's what Barry Reese recommends.
Tags: Retail, Social media
Author: Mike Manges | Posted @ Friday, August 6, 2010 1:25 PM | » Comments(1)
August 3, 2010
In 2009, China reached a major milestone in its race toward modernization: it surpassed the United States as the world's largest energy consumer.
Tags: China, Construction tires, OTR tires
Author: Mike Manges | Posted @ Tuesday, August 3, 2010 8:40 AM | » Comments(0)
July 30, 2010
You would be hard-pressed to find a more generous, civic-minded group of businesspeople than independent tire dealers. MTD's editors constantly hear stories about the good things dealers do for others.
Tags: Big O, Consumer tires, Retail
Author: Mike Manges | Posted @ Friday, July 30, 2010 8:36 AM | » Comments(3)
July 22, 2010
When it comes to in-store promotions, sometimes the simplest ideas are the best ideas. Just ask Clayton Snow, owner of Clayton's Tire Pros in South Jordan, Utah.
Tags: Clayton's Tire Pros, Consumer tires, Retail
Author: Mike Manges | Posted @ Thursday, July 22, 2010 7:42 AM | » Comments(2)
July 9, 2010
This just in from Hanover! Continental AG is revising its outlook for 2010 to reflect "the continuing positive trend in market conditions." That's good news, not just for Continental but for the entire industry.
Tags: Bridgestone Corp., Continental AG, Tire company financials
Author: Mike Manges | Posted @ Friday, July 9, 2010 4:38 PM | » Comments(0)
June 23, 2010
Last week in this blog, I discussed the SmartWay program and why it's important to both tire manufacturers and dealers. Right now only one state, California, requires trucks to be equipped with SmartWay-approved tires.
Tags: Going green, Medium truck tires, Trucking industry
Author: Mike Manges | Posted @ Wednesday, June 23, 2010 9:23 AM | » Comments(0)
June 17, 2010
A regulation that quietly went into effect in California some six months ago has forever changed the way that over-the-road trucking fleets look at tires.
Tags: Going green, Medium truck tires, SmartWay, U.S. EPA
Author: Mike Manges | Posted @ Thursday, June 17, 2010 7:52 AM | » Comments(0)
June 14, 2010
There are a number of clubs and societies associated with and/or connected to the tire industry. Some, of course, are more famous than others. My personal favorite (and one you may not know about) is the Lighter Than Air Society, an Akron-based group dedicated to the preservation of blimp and zeppelin history.
Tags: Blimps, Lighter Than Air Society
Author: Mike Manges | Posted @ Monday, June 14, 2010 12:01 PM | » Comments(0)
June 10, 2010
Last week in this blog, I asked for ideas about how the industry can more effectively educate consumers about tire pressure maintenance. Days later, Yokohama Tire Corp. posted an educational video on YouTube.
Tags: Tire maintenance
Author: Mike Manges | Posted @ Thursday, June 10, 2010 11:56 AM | » Comments(0)
June 4, 2010
Another year, another Rubber Manufacturers Association tire inflation survey, and yes, another round of disappointing results: What can we, as an industry, do to help motorists see the value of checking inflation levels on a regular basis?
Tags: Consumer tires, National Tire Safety Week, RMA, tire inflation
Author: Mike Manges | Posted @ Friday, June 4, 2010 11:51 AM | » Comments(1)
June 1, 2010
Direct from The You're-Never-Too-Late Department comes this important message: there's still time to nominate a candidate for Modern Tire Dealer's 2010 Tire Dealer of the Year award.
Tags: Modern Tire Dealer, MTD Tire Dealer of the Year
Author: Mike Manges | Posted @ Tuesday, June 1, 2010 1:14 PM | » Comments(0)
May 25, 2010
On June 1, no fewer than 11 tire manufacturers will implement price increases. That's on top of several major price hikes that went into effect earlier this month. Will the new prices stick?
Tags: commercial tires, Consumer tires, Price increases
Author: Mike Manges | Posted @ Tuesday, May 25, 2010 11:39 AM | » Comments(0)
May 20, 2010
Articles, TV reports, etc., about electric cars seem to be everywhere these days. There's the Toyota Prius (OK, I suppose the Prius counts as half of an electric car) and the Chevy Volt, and more entries are on the way. Are you seeing any electric cars at your dealership?
Tags: Consumer tires, Electric cars, Going green
Author: Mike Manges | Posted @ Thursday, May 20, 2010 7:45 AM | » Comments(0)
May 4, 2010
Bill Trimarco, CEO and president of Hercules Tire & Rubber Co., doesn't mince words when discussing the 35% tariff levied on Chinese tire imports last fall. "When you have the government picking winners and losers, there are going to be winners and losers."
Tags: Chinese tires, Hercules Tire & Rubber Co., Private brand tires, Tariffs
Author: Mike Manges | Posted @ Tuesday, May 4, 2010 10:34 AM | » Comments(0)
April 23, 2010
Seems like a day rarely goes by without a tire manufacturer announcing some type of price increase. Michelin and Goodyear will raise prices on May 1, and Bridgestone, Continental and Falken will follow suit in June.
Tags: Consumer tires, Price hikes, Raw material prices
Author: Mike Manges | Posted @ Friday, April 23, 2010 1:32 PM | » Comments(0)
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