GM has many tire suppliers
The article ``ATD secures contract to supply GM dealers'' in the March 28 issue of Tire Business contained several inaccuracies about the relationship between General Motors Corp. and American Tire Distributors (ATD) Inc. that we would like to correct.
GM's Goodwrench Tire Program relies on tire distributors nationwide to assist GM dealers in providing tires to their customers. The majority of tire distributors-approved by the original equipment (OE) tire manufacturers to sell the brands they represent-are able to sell tires to GM dealerships through the Goodwrench Tire Program. ATD is one of the many tire distributors across the country that help us serve GM dealerships.
ATD has demonstrated the ability to competently provide needed services and has dedicated resources to assist GM dealerships in growing their tire business.
However, GM does not have a written agreement or an agreement of exclusivity with ATD or any other tire distributor to facilitate delivery of tires to GM dealerships.
One objective of the Goodwrench Tire Program is to assist GM dealerships in growing the tire business and improving service retention. Tire makers that offer OE fitments for GM and their authorized distributors are essential to accomplishing this objective. We expect these distributors to provide GM dealerships with timely delivery of OE tires, technical and sales training, inventory management assistance and prompt invoicing of tires purchased through the program.
We welcome any authorized and qualified tire distributor or dealer to distribute tires through the Goodwrench Tire Program.
We hope this sets the record straight.
Jeff Quigley
Director, Maintenance and Repair Business Line
GM Service and Parts Operations
Grand Blanc, Mich.
Encouraging news
I just finished reading the Feb. 14 edition of Tire Business, and it is so encouraging to hear so many positive statements about the tire business!
They included: Chris ``Chubby'' Frederick's call for more dealerships to get more tire business; Goodyear Chairman and CEO Bob Keegan's pledge to do more ``listening'' and thanking the independent tire dealer for ``teaching'' them; Dan Marinucci's column on ``exit interview'' strategy; Bridgestone/Firestone's renewed commitment to a revamped advertising campaign; Direct Tire & Auto Service's ``sharing'' with the (Watertown, Mass.) community it serves.
Then there was the story on the brave tire tech at Hill Top Tire in Fort Plain, N.Y., who enlisted in the U.S. Army and is volunteering to protect all the great opportunities we have in this country. It makes one proud to have been a small part of this great industry!
Independents, both large and small, get out there and ``take back'' what rightly belongs to you. What does the one commercial state?-``Don't buy your tires where they sell mayonnaise.'' Tires are still sold, mounted and serviced one by one on Main Street U.S.A.
J.A. ``Joe'' DePaolis
President
Consultative Services
Rochester, N.Y.
Just another OE part?
How long does anyone think it will be before a tire is identified only by a car manufacturer's part number-no size, brand or other outside information?
I'm afraid there's a lot of pressure by the tire makers and car makers for alternate methods of distribution. Most other (original equipment) car parts are this way!
John M. Stickley
Manager
Whitehall Tires for Less
Pittsburgh