OEConnection LLC has formed an initiative with a number of major
tire distributors to provide automotive dealerships with a centralized information sales and sourcing channel "for fast, easy procurement of replacement tires."
As part of this initiative, OEConnection is adding tire distributor inventories to its D2DLink ecommerce parts locator, creating one comprehensive tool for OE parts and tire sourcing.
Tire distributors participating in the initiative include Tire Kingdom Inc., Goodyear Wholesale Tire Centers, Kauffman Tire Inc. and K&M Tire and Terry's Tire Town of the Best-One Tire and Service Group.
OEConnection anticipates adding additional tire distributors as it proceeds with a phased regional introduction. The company says D2DLink tire visibility is available for users in select Southeast and North Central states, with a planned national rollout set for early 2006.
"We're all about creating technology to streamline the OE replacement parts supply chain," says Ted Fellowes, vice president of supply chain solutions for OEConnection. "By providing automotive dealers with visibility to tire distributor inventories, we are saving parts managers time in locating tires, extending tire distributors' reach with lucrative new sales channels, and, most importantly, delivering timely responses to consumers."
The automotive dealer market for tires is growing, according to Mike Papi, Tire Kingdom's vice president of business development. "By partnering with OEConnection, we can better serve this emerging channel and our mutual end customer by taking advantage of parts technology already in use by thousands of dealerships."
Provided as a no-charge, value-added enhancement, D2DLink users simply enter a tire part number or use OEConnection's new "Search by Tire Size" feature to quickly pinpoint availability and location. Tire inventories are updated daily helping ensure timely, accurate
parts information at the point of sale, adds the company.
OEConnection is a provider of web-based technology solutions for
automakers, their affiliated dealers, and others in the automotive parts business. It is a venture created by DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp. and ProQuest.
