SEMA increases marketing in Europe
WASHINGTON-The Specialty Equipment Market Association has joined with the U.S. Department of Commerce to intensify its marketing efforts in Europe on behalf of its members.
SEMA and the DOC have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding their joint efforts to obtain special opportunities for SEMA members seeking to sell their products in that market. The MOU agreement officially began Oct. 1.
The first such opportunity will be the Essen Motorshow 2001, according to SEMA President Charles R. Blum. ``We're delighted to put together this SEMA and DOC program. It provides SEMA members the chance to exhibit at drastically reduced rates at the largest consumer specialty automotive equipment show in Europe,'' Mr. Blum said.
SEMA members may exhibit for as little as $500 (U.S.). Previous Essen shows have pulled as many as 400,000 consumers, the association said.
The show will open Friday, Nov. 30, and close Sunday, Dec. 9, providing two weekend opportunities for SEMA members to meet prospective European customers.
The joint activities being contemplated in addition to the Essen trade event include business outreach through seminars and conferences, workshops, and networking events. The agreement runs through September 2002 and may be renewed annually, SEMA said.
Rancho continues as CORR sponsor
CRANDON, Wis.-Rancho Suspension has renewed its associate sponsorship of Championship Off-Road Racing (CORR) competition through the 2002 racing season and has extended its sponsorship agreement with two-time Pro-4 champion Scott Douglas and his Ford F-150.
Rancho-a brand of Tenneco Automotive-also is planning to significantly enhance its marketing support of the Douglas Motorsports team and CORR competition.
``We're going to redouble our efforts to communicate our involvement in off-road racing...and our sales force will work very closely with our distributors to bring more customers to CORR events,'' said Edward Powderly, advertising and public relations manager for Tenneco.
In addition to suspension systems, Rancho also offers a broad range of advanced shock absorbers and load-control components.
Goodyear revamps corporate Web site
AKRON-Goodyear has launched the ``third generation'' of its goodyear.com Web site. The tire maker said it expects consumers to find the new site faster and easier to use.
``We have completely rebuilt goodyear.com to bring the most used features closer to the home page than ever before,'' said Nathaniel Leonard, director of global e-commerce. ``Tire shoppers can now find both our tire selector and dealer selector on our U.S. home page.''
``Recognizing that consumers now, more than ever, are interested in tire quality and safety, we also have provided links to our `Tire School' on the U.S. home page,'' Mr. Leonard added. ``Here you can learn the basics of tire technology, download a copy of our tire safety guide, determine what kind of tires are right for your car and get information about how to take care of them.''
He also said Goodyear has restructured its site infrastructure to prepare it for future e-commerce enhancements.
Michelin offers free RV info
GREENVILLE, S.C.-Michelin North America Inc. has created a brochure and video for recreational vehicle owners that communicates proper safety practices.
The Greenville-based tire maker is offering the materials free of charge and has granted the RV Safety Council the right to reproduce the video at no charge.
The brochure ``Recreational Vehicle Tire Guide: How To Get the Most From Your Tires'' and video ``What Every RV Owner Should Know About Tires'' contain in-depth information regarding the importance of tire air pressure; the danger of overloading an RV; how to determine the vehicle's correct weight; how and where to weight the vehicle; tire wear; tire balance and wheel alignment.
Consumers can request these materials by e-mail through the Michelin Americas Truck Tires Web site (www.michelintruck.com) and by referencing stock number MWV 42019.
Parnelli Jones endorses product
LAS VEGAS-Amtech Corp., manufacturer of the patented RollGard Suspension Stabilizer System, recently signed racing legend Parnelli Jones as a spokesperson.
Mr. Jones is the winner of the 1963 Indy 500 and has garnered several significant wins and championship victories in a variety of motorsports venues, including the Baja 1000 off-road race and the SCCA Trans Am Championship in 1970.
RollGard is a counter-spring system designed to improve handling and reduce body lean, which reduces the chance of a rollover on sport-utility vehicles and light trucks, according to Amtech. Another benefit, Amtech said, is increased stability for trailer towing or side winds and a smoother ride through abrupt dips.
Mr. Jones experienced a rollover in an SUV earlier this year and since has tested RollGard on his personal vehicle, according to Amtech. He said the product ``is the best way to correct a potential hazard before it occurs.''
To learn more about RollGard, contact Amtech at (888) 880-8949, or visit its Web site at www.amtechsprings.com.
BFS adds videos to Web site
NASHVILLE, Tenn.-Bridgestone/Firestone Inc.'s Web site, www.trucktires.com, now features the company's educational videos in both streaming video and downloadable form.
Eight videos dealing with the care and use of commercial truck tires include:
* Truck Tire Mounting for Customer Satisfaction;
* Why Put Air in Your Tires?;
* Saving Through Reducing Irregular Wear;
* Saving Through Scrap Tire Analysis;
* Reducing Tire Cost Through Effective Maintenance;
* Improving Tire Performance Through Driver Awareness;
* What Drivers Can Do To Save Fuel; and
* Attaining Customer Satisfaction Through Tire Knowledge.
All the videos are offered in RealPlayer format, and a link is provided to download the free RealPlayer software needed, according to Bridgestone/Firestone.
For more information, visit www.trucktires.com and click on the menu item ``University Library,'' then on ``Audiovisual Collection,'' the company said.
Goodyear Canada supports hockey
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario-The Goodyear Drive for Gold, a unique initiative by the Canadian Hockey Association (CHA) that aims to raise more than $850,000 for grassroot CHA development hockey programs in Canada, has launched a Web site, www.goodyeardriveforgold.com.
A Zamboni ice rink machine, accompanied by a motorcade of two 48' tractor-trailers provided from Tour Sponsor AMJ Campbell Van Lines, will travel across Canada to each province until January 23, 2002, Goodyear Canada said.
This tour will give Canadians an opportunity to show their support for amateur hockey in Canada, as well as Canada's Men's and Women's National Hockey Teams as they prepare for Salt Lake City. One of the trailers will host a walk-through CHA hockey museum, hosting a wide variety of exhibits relating to Canadian hockey.
Goodyear's new Web site will host a secure e-commerce section allowing Canadians to register for a limited number of rides on the Tour Zamboni through their community on a first-come, first served basis, according to Goodyear Canada.