AKRON (April 21, 2005) — Goodyear and Pilot Travel Centers L.L.C. have signed an agreement for the tire maker's Wingfoot Commercial Tire Systems L.L.C. subsidiary to operate eight Pilot Truck Care Centers.
The truck care centers, located in five states, will retain the Pilot name though Wingfoot will operate them. A wholly owned subsidiary of Akron-based Goodyear, Wingfoot operates 171 commercial tire sales, service and retread facilities in the U.S.
According to its Web site, Pilot sells Goodyear, Michelin, Dunlop, Bridgestone, BFGoodrich, Firestone and Kelly brands at the eight truck care centers. A Goodyear spokesman said that while the centers' future brand offerings still are being discussed their current lineup will remain for now.
Pilot and Wingfoot hope to expand the truck care centers beyond the eight outlets by the end of 2005, Goodyear said. Pilot Travel Centers, which caters to professional drivers and traveling motorists, also operates 271 travel centers in 40 states and licenses 13 locations in four states. Pilot's Web site also said as many as 12 new truck care locations will open in 2005.
The agreement is “significant for both Goodyear and Pilot,” said Steve McClellan, vice president of Goodyear Commercial Tire Systems. “Goodyear greatly expands its truck service network, and Pilot instantly becomes a one-stop shopping experience for drivers of commercial trucks.”
Goodyear said the Wingfoot-operated centers will provide new tires, retreads, limited mechanical service, preventive maintenance and roadside assistance.
In April 2004, Pilot said it would increase the availability of commercial truck tires at its truck stops, starting with 30 locations by 2005. The firm is a 50-50 joint venture owned by Pilot Corp. and Findlay, Ohio-based Marathon Ashland Petroleum L.L.C.