Penske names Goodyear "preferred service and warranty provider"

May 16, 2002

Penske Auto Centers LLC has authorized more than 800 Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.-owned stores and Just Tires outlets to provide tire, service and warranty work for the defunct Troy, Mich.-based chain's former customers.

Penske closed its 563 stores in 44 states April 6.

"In some cases where a Goodyear company-owned outlet cannot accomodate a Penske customer, a referral will be made to an independent Goodyear dealer," say Penske officials.

Penske has set up a phone number, 1-877-99-PENSKE, that tire buyers can call to locate their nearest Goodyear location.

Goodyear was Penske's exclusive supplier with Goodyear, Dunlop and Penske brand tires.

Penske had been North America's largest independent tire store chain, according to Modern Tire Dealer statistics.

For more information on why Penske ended its tire operations, see MTD's interview with former Penske CEO Jim Wheat in this month's issue.