Magazine for the professional tire industry
Issue link: https://mtd.epubxp.com/i/762675
MTD December 2016 News/views Michelin suspends mobile tire installation pilot program Michelin North America Inc. has ended its mobile tire installation ser- vice experiment, Michelin OnSite. The tire maker shelved the program in November. "Michelin has decided to suspend its market test for Michelin OnSite in Raleigh, N.C.," said Brian Remsberg, director of consumer public rela- tions for Michelin. "But we will continue to evaluate future possibilities, as the test revealed a number of interesting options. "While we are disappointed that unit volumes did not meet expecta- tions, we're pleased with the enthusiastic response we received from consumers who want a concierge approach to purchasing tires." The program was piloted in the Raleigh-Durham market, but was never expanded elsewhere. Consumers were able to purchase tires online and then schedule installation at a time and place of their choosing. The service was offered via vans branded with the Michelin man and the message "we come to you." The concierge service offered tire mount- ing and balancing, servicing of tire pressure monitor systems, tire and brake inspection, disposal of old tires, and reminders to schedule tire rotations. The cost: $169. At the time of its launch in August 2015, Michelin said the service helped address the growing "on-demand" needs of consumers who wanted a convenient, fast, and simple way to purchase tires. Three top 100 dealers add stores Discount Tire, the top-ranked dealer on the Modern Tire Dealer 100, has opened its first store in Virginia. The store in North Chesterfield is located in the greater Richmond area. Since 2013 Discount Tire, which is part of Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Reinalt-Thomas Corp., has expanded into nine new states. The company in the second spot on the MTD 100, TBC Corp., has added five stores in four states. TBC has opened two NTB Tire and Service Centers outlets in Minnesota. The new stores are in Arden Hills and Brooklyn Park. There are now 25 NTB locations in the state. An NTB Tire & Service Centers store opened in Chicago. It is the 35th NTB location in the Illinois. TBC opened an NTB Tire & Service Centers outlet in Johns Creek, Ga. It is TBC's 39th store in Georgia under the NTB and Tire Kingdom brands. In addition, TBC opened its first NTB store in Rhode Island in Providence. The 12th-ranked dealer on the Modern Tire Dealer 100, Sullivan Tire Co., has opened its 68th location in Westford, Mass. The new Sullivan Tire and Auto Service store is in the space of a former automotive shop. The company says the 5,000-square-foot location will be renovated inside and out. The outlet offers 18 brands of tires. BestDrive expands BestDrive LLC, a subsidiary of Continental Tire the Americas LLC, has opened retread shops and commercial tire service centers in Grove City, Ohio; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Indianapolis, Ind. Omni United wins award Omni United (S) Pte. Ltd. has been recognized as one of the top companies in Singapore with its 10th place standing in the 2016 Enterprise 50 Awards program. RNR signs deal SPF Management Co. LLC has signed a franchise deal to bring 58 RNR Tire Express & Custom Wheels (RNR) locations to parts of the Southeast region within the next 10 years. Concept tire recognized Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.'s Eagle-360 concept tire has been named one of Time magazine's "Best Inventions of the Year 2016." Net Driven has contest Net Driven, a provider of websites and internet marketing services for the automotive industry, is giving away four tickets to the NASCAR cruise Jan. 29 to Feb. 3, 2017. SMP awards training Standard Motor Products Inc. (SMP) has awarded one-year subscriptions to its Standard Pro Training On-Demand training platform to 100 technicians. Hamaton opens U.S. office Hamaton Automotive Technology Co. Ltd. says it has established Hamaton Inc. in Wixom, Mich., to help fill increasing demand for TPMS products in North America. United Tire sponsors races United Tire and Service LLC will be a presenting sponsor for all races in the Super Cup Stock Car Series for 2017. Apollo to build plant Apollo Tyres Ltd. will invest 5.25 billion rupees ($78.7 million) to build a tire plant in Andhra Pradesh, India. The plant will be the company's fifth in India. bites TBC opened an eight-bay NTB outlet in Johns Creek, Ga., in November. 12