3 minute read
Numbers That Count
from Modern Tire Dealer - January 2023
by EndeavorBusinessMedia-VehicleRepairGroup
Bites
CEAT’s production grows
CEAT Specialty Tires increased its production capacity of ag radial tires by 50% in 2022 to meet growing demand in North America and plans to increase its production capacity for radial ag tires to 160 tons per day within two years’ time.
Giti renews with Formula Drift
The GT Radial brand from Giti Tire (USA) Ltd. has renewed its partnership with Formula DRIFT for another three-year term to provide tires to teams in the Pro Championship.
Pirelli is OE at Polestar
Pirelli & Cie SpA’s P Zero has been chosen by Polestar to be the original equipment tire on the new, limited edition Polestar 2 BST 270. The vehicle will be outfitted with size 245/35R21 tires.
Lexus picks Bridgestone
Bridgestone Corp. has earned a new original equipment fitment with Lexus. In North America, the fifth-generation Lexus RX will be outfitted with the Alenza Sport A/S tire.
RNR to open in Houston
RNR Tire Express has signed a franchise agreement to bring a new location to Houston, Texas, in early-2023 that will be owned and operated by local entrepreneurs Taos Ford and Benito Olson.
MaddenCo adds partner
MaddenCo has enhanced its Tire Dealer System software with an integration of a two-way texting and digital vehicle inspection platform from autotext.me.
All Star Auto names CEO
All Star Auto Parts, a specialty distributor of alternative automotive parts that acquired Blackburn OEM Wheel Solutions in 2022, has named Andrew Sexton its CEO. He succeeds Matt Immerfall, who will join the company’s board of directors.
Vic Harisis dies
T.G. “Vic” Harisis, who founded Western Tire Equipment & Supply Co. Inc. in 1974, recently died at the age of 92. He spent his entire career in the tire equipment and supply business and led his company to become an $85 million enterprise.
Monro waives battery installation fees at stores
Group buys MTD TEN
Tyres International, a Mahansaria Tyres Private Ltd. (MTPL) subsidiary, will now operate under the trade name Ascenso Tires North America. Since its acquisition by MTPL in 2021, Tyres International has been the exclusive importer of Ascenso brand tires to the United States and Canada. “Moving to (the) Ascenso Tires North America trade name reflects the company’s growth in the last two years since the tie-up with Mahansaria Tyres Private Ltd. and its strategic plan and investment to become a leading tire manufacturer,” say MTPL officials. MTPL purchased Tyres International “to efficiently bring Ascenso’s innovative and extensive product range of tires to their customers in North America,” including tires for agricultural, industrial, construction, earthmover, forestry and material handling applications. The company has added more than 350 sizes to its product portfolio within the last year, “offering a wide range of tires across applications and customizing solutions to suit specific customer requirements.”
Monro Inc. says it is making “sweeping changes” in its battery sales and service business. The company now offers free battery checks “and in a departure from the industry standard,” is waiving battery installation fees at its locations.
“Our customers’ safety is our first concern,” says Michael Broderick, Monro’s CEO.
“It’s not about just replacing the battery. It’s about offering a free, quality 32-point courtesy inspection to ensure that everything is in good working order, especially during the winter season.”
The company is making more than battery service changes. It’s also working with its primary tire supplier, American Tire Distributors Inc. (ATD), to increase in-stock levels of winter tire inventory at its stores.
“This strategic partnership has led to an expanded snow tire offering with Nexen Tires and Nokian Tyres, a more established regional inventory for entry opening price point and all-terrain tires and an upgraded inventory system to allow for daily review and replenishment,” say Monro officials.
ATD acquired Monro’s wholesale business this past summer. As part of the agreement, Monro says it will buy at least 90% of its tires from ATD.
Independently owned Dealer to Dealer Development Group LLC (D2D Development Group) has acquired MTD TEN (Training and Education Network) from Endeavor Business Media, MTD’s parent company.
Randy O’Connor, principal and owner of D2D Development Group, says the “transition of MTD TEN — formerly DSP 20 Group — back to independent ownership has been on our members’ minds for years. It makes perfect sense to have an independently owned membership led by an independent.”
O’Connor also writes MTD’s monthly Dealer Development column, formerly titled as TEN Insights. ■
