U.S. AutoForce LLC has finalized an agreement to acquire Max Finkelstein Inc. The deal is expected to close on Jan. 31. Max Finkelstein will operate as a division of U.S. AutoForce "under the management of the current leadership team," say U.S. AutoForce officials.

Last year was a busy one for members of the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association, says Anne Forristall Luke, the association’s president and CEO. This year is shaping up to be just as action-packed, she explains in this MTD exclusive.

Not quite four years ago Amazon picked its first partner for tire installation and balancing services. Consumers buying any tire on Amazon.com could have it installed at any of that installer’s 400-plus stores. Today, that entire network of stores has closed.

Pricing actions were frequent in 2021, and more have already rolled into the new year,. Analyst John Healy says on average those price hikes resulted in a 20% increase over 2020 prices. Interestingly, he says the cost to build an average tire went up 24% in 2021.

The North American commercial vehicle market is in a great position as 2022 begins, according to ACT Research. And that could be good news for truck tire dealers.

The Tire Industry Association has scheduled 12 general education sessions and two break-out sessions for its 2022 Off-the-Road (OTR) Tire Conference, which will take place Feb. 23-26, 2022, at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa in Miramar Beach, Fla.

Frederick, Md.-based Rice Tire Co. has acquired the tire business and service center of American Fleet Services, a commercial truck tire dealership that serves the Richmond, Va., market.

Love's Travel Stops will open more than 20 Love's Truck Care and Speedco locations this year. There are currently 420 locations within the Love's Truck Care/Speedco network.

Truck manufacturers are "taking a more cautious approach to effectively manage the cycle of customer expectations," says Kenny Vieth, president and senior analyst at ACT Research.