Modern Tire Dealer articles from July 1994

Modern Tire Dealer archives from July 1994

The beginning of a revolution? (tire dealership) (Editorial)
July 1, 1994... Am I wrong or are tire dealers changing? Have I only been talking to the more enlightened dealers or are more and more dealerships de-emphasizing one-time deals and pushing for a more consistent pricing policy from their tire manufacturers...

NAFTA pumps up U.S. tire trade. (North American Free Trade Agreement)(includes related article) (Cover Story)
July 1, 1994... After that 1992, exports resume healthy growth It wasn't scheduled to take effect until the first of this year, but as far as tires were concerned the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) apparently got off to an early start in 1993....

Crossing a barbed wire border: Mexico still resists some tire imports. (Cover Story)
July 1, 1994... So far tire dealers on the north side of the U.S./Mexican border haven't had much reason to be happy about the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Though the first step toward eventual elimination of trade duties between the two...

Wearing out their welcome? (exporting of used tires)
July 1, 1994... Used tires are a steady source of income domestically, but just try exporting them All but a few U.S. tire dealers sell at least some used tires. It's the nature of the business. You sell a customer new tires, then must deal with the...

BFS rekindles relationship with its dealers. (Bridgestone/Firestone Inc.)
July 1, 1994... 'Can a manufacturer's relationship with its dealers be rekindled once burnt out? You bet It can! Just look at the rejuvenation of Bridgestone/Firestone (BFS) over the past two years. BFS has increased its combined passenger and light truck tire...

Tire wear? Where?: a guide to diagnosing customers' problems.
July 1, 1994... In this article we'll examine a variety of chassis conditions that affect passenger-vehicle radial tire wear. As part of this, we'll look at distinct tire wear patterns and offer tips on tracing the cause in each case. Alignment Chassis...

Making sense out of sensors: minor adjustments can cause major improvements. (auto service)
July 1, 1994... Today's automobile engines are slaves to the almighty microprocessor. But it is certainly a better taskmaster than the archaic engine regulation systems. The microprocessor, more commonly referred to as the electronic Control module (ECM),...

Motivating your sales force. (tire dealers)
July 1, 1994... How to find the magical sales formula Over the years it appears my clients and I could "can" the telephone conversation and save everyone time. Within a few sentences the caller will tell me: they have a successful automotive operation, they...

Big deal in 'Big D': NTDRA's 74th convention will be show and tell affair. (National Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association)
July 1, 1994... Riding the Range of Change" will be the theme of the 74th National Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association (NTDRA) convention and trade show Sept. 8-11 at the Dallas Convention Center. Spotlighted will be a Town Hall Meeting for discussion of...

Proxes perform as promised. (new H-speed-rated all-season performance tire from Toyo Tire Co.)(includes related article) (Evaluation)
July 1, 1994... A nice combination of comfort and handling Toyo recently introduced its Proxes H4, a new H-speed-rated all-season performance tire targeted at the touring/performance market. It's available in a dozen 65- and 60-series sizes. The Proxes...

On track with off-road production. (Bridgestone/Firestone Off Road Tire Co.)(includes related article)
July 1, 1994... Bridgestone/Firestone dedicates facility With Illinois Governor James Edgar looking on, Bridgestone/Firestone Off Road Tire Co. (BFOR) formally dedicated -- on June 14 -- the tire plant its parent company, Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. (BFS),...

Kumho's strategy: build sales with patience and the two 'R's': recognition, respect must be earned slowly. (Kumho U.S.A. Inc.)
July 1, 1994... There are no shortcuts for an overseas tire manufacturer trying to gain a significant share of the U.S. tire market. No one knows that better than Jong Kahng, president of Kumho U.S.A. Inc. Kahng has worked nearly 20 years in America, the...

A friend remembers a giant: Tom French, Dunlop innovator. (tire designer) (Bibliography)
July 1, 1994... The tire and vehicle industry throughout the world was saddened to learn of the death of Tom French May 26 at his home in Sutton Coldfield, England. In a career of nearly 40 years with Dunlop, the last 20 of these as leader of Dunlop's tire...

Illinois turns to tire-derived fuel: new facilities could eliminate scrap tire problem.
July 1, 1994... Already running what many consider the best scrap tire management program in the U.S., the State of Illinois recently sanctioned two private-sector projects that may eventually turn the waste products into a prized commodity. Grants worth...