6 minute read
Top commercial dealers work around pricing, inventory challenges
from Modern Tire Dealer - October 2022
by EndeavorBusinessMedia-VehicleRepairGroup
to our scan tools,” says Scott McKinney, senior product manager, Bosch. “With our enhanced so ware license, users also will have access to Repair Source,” which is Bosch’s service and repair information portal, “and color OE wiring diagrams.”
Equus Products Inc. is unveiling its Innova 7111 OBD2 Bidrectional Scan Tool Tablet this month. e tool provides enhanced vehicle applications and more.
“Each Innova diagnostic tool also includes our guided diagnostics service called RepairSolutions,” says David Rich, technical director, Innova. “ is is a free service that provides professionals (with) the ability to have access to all of the information needed to quickly and e ciently repair vehicles.”
In addition, updates to the company’s RS2 app are ongoing. (A complete redesign was implemented this past summer.) e app provides technicians with “complete vehicle diagnostic reports to support them while repairing/servicing vehicles,” according to Rich. “ e latest release of the app includes a vehicle care and maintenance feature called RepairSolutions Lite,” which is “available to all users who do not have an Innova diagnostic tool at the time, yet want to have access to a trusted resource.”
TEXA USA Inc. says it updates its so ware on a monthly basis to cover a wide range of vehicle types. “In the last year, there was a big increase in domestic (General Motors, Ford, etc.) and Asian (Acura, Honda, Hyundai and Nissan) coverage in response to requests from the market,” says Fabio Mazzon, TEXA technical manager.
“With each update, TEXA improves our vehicles and system diagnostic coverage. TEXA always adds new adjustments and bidirectional functions, technical and troubleshooting information, wiring diagrams and dashboards.”
With TEXA so ware, it also is possible to perform ADAS calibrations, he adds.
inkCar’s new THINKTPMS line addresses “the need for diagnostic and TPMS functionality, all in one tool,” according to Brandon Alexander, marketing manager, inkCar. e line consists of the T109 and the T209. Both tools provide TPMS service and OBD II diagnostics. e T109 is currently available and the T209 will be released this fall.
“ e TPMS T109 provides key TPMS functionality, such as reading sensor data, sensor activation and programming of new THINKCAR sensors,” says Alexander.
“In addition, the T109 provides access to vehicle OBD II systems, allowing the tool to read/clear diagnostic codes, provide emission testing readiness status and graph live data streams.” e T209 will have the same features as the T109.
Topdon USA says its Phoenix series is frequently updated. “You will consistently see a new update available every two weeks and sometimes sooner,” say Topdon o cials. “We want to give the user the latest and greatest so ware instead of waiting until the next quarter for an update.”
Updates add coverage for older vehicles, new testing procedures and more to keep Topdon’s tools “fast and free of digital clutter.”
Recent updates include battery management resets, ADAS calibration, air conditioning system relearning, stop-start system resets and more. ■
Equus Products Inc. is unveiling its Innova 7111 OBD2 Bidrectional Scan Tool Tablet this month. “Each Innova diagnostic tool also includes our guided diagnostics service called RepairSolutions,” says David Rich, technical director, Innova.
Photo: Equus
TEXA USA Inc. says it updates its software on a monthly basis. “In the last year, there was a big increase in domestic (General Motors, Ford, etc.) and Asian (Acura, Honda, Hyundai and Nissan) coverage in response to requests from the market,” says Fabio Mazzon, TEXA technical manager.
Photo: TEXA USA
ThinkCar’s new THINKTPMS line addresses “the need for diagnostic and TPMS functionality, all in one tool,” according to Brandon Alexander, marketing manager, ThinkCar. The line consists of the T109 and the T209.
Photo: ThinkCar
Topdon USA says its Phoenix series is frequently updated. “You will consistently see a new update available every two weeks and sometimes sooner,” according to Topdon of cials.
Photo: Topdon
LOWER-TIER PRODUCTS ALSO ARE IN GREATER DEMAND
By Maddie Gehring
Some of the country’s biggest commercial tire dealers are holding their breath to see how high inflation will go and how it will impact their businesses in the months to come.
Many have commented that high inventory levels have been a big challenge and they are hoping for more normalcy during the coming winter months.
In the meantime, dealers are finding a way to work around this issue as mergers and acquisitions continue to reshape the landscape.
The country’s largest independent commercial tire dealership, Southern Tire Mart LLC, recently acquired Phoenix, Ariz.-based Redburn Tire Co. and 26 Bridgestone Americas Inc.-owned GCR Tires & Service locations.
Not long before this issue of MTD went to press, Green Bay, Wis.-based Pomp’s Tire Service Inc. acquired Elk Grove Village, Ill.-based Tredroc Tire Services Inc.
Both acquisitions have changed the rankings on MTD’s annual Top 25 Commercial Tire Dealer list, which starts on page 54.
SWITCHING TIERS
Dealers who recently talked with MTD say tire pricing is pushing many customers — especially smaller fleets — to opt for less expensive products. But not all customers have been surprised by higher tire prices, according to some dealers.
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“Customers, for the most part, are expecting the (higher) pricing,” says Bob Berlin, president of Pete’s Tire Barns Inc., which is based in Orange, Mass. “It’s the world we live in today.”
“Our customers understand the increases as they, too, have raised prices numerous times,” says Jim Stankewicz, president, Valley Tire Co. Inc., which is based in Charleroi, Pa.
However, John Ziegler Jr., vice president of Ziegler Tire & Supply Co., which is headZiegler Tire & Supply Co., like many commercial tire dealerships, is selling more tier-three and tier-four quartered in Massillon, Ohio, brands, according to John Ziegler Jr., the comsays demand for tier-three and tier-four brands at his dealership pany’s vice president (right), with Kent Ferguson, who manages the dealership’s bustling truck tire retread plant in Massillon, Ohio. has “increased dramatically” Photo: MTD due to price hikes placed on already more expensive brands.
“That — coupled with the major manufacturers producing much less of their tier-two products due to capacity — (has caused) customers to be more resistant to the higher pricing and definitely more value-seeking than in the past.”
Sourcing lower-tier products hasn’t always been easy, according to Ziegler.
He says that major tire manufacturers are focused more on producing tier-one products.
“It makes sense, but it’s hurting their lower-tier brands. And I’ve been spending more time trying to buy tires than sell tires.”
Ziegler Tire has started bringing in truck tire brands like RoadX, a “couple of TBC brands” and other brands and products.
Mick Pickens, president of St. Cloud, Minn.-based Royal Tire Inc., agrees that many customers are opting for lowerpriced, tier-three or tier-four tires. In some cases, this is due to price and in other cases it is due to availability, according to Pickens. “Trucks and fuel and maintenance prices are crazy right now,” says Rick Benton, president of Blacks Tire Service Inc., which is based in Whiteville, N.C. Benton says he noticed smaller fleets are buying lower-tier tires at his dealership. “These smaller fleets are just trying to survive,” says Benton. “Most of the national fleets are making do, but these smaller fleets — they have to do what they can to save money.” Marty Herndon, CEO and chairman of Snider Tire Inc., which is based in Newton, N.C., says that “inventory levels are high, so we purchase what we can, when we can. We are able to source tires and brands fleet customers prefer about 80% of the time.” Earl Colvard, president at Earl W. Colvard Inc. dba Boulevard Tire, whose base of operation is in Deland, Fla., says
