Consolidated Tires to open Ga. store
GREENVILLE, S.C.-Consolidated Tires Inc. plans to open a retail and commercial outlet in Toccoa, Ga., in June.
Consolidated bought the store from North Georgia Tire and Auto Care, which had shut its doors several years ago, Greenville-based Consolidated said.
``We're very excited about our new location in Toccoa,'' President Will Dennis said. ``(The store) will allow easier access to both existing and potential commercial customers in north Georgia in addition to a growing retail market in the Toccoa-Stephens County area.''
The dealership plans to offer Michelin, BFGoodrich, Kumho and Toyo brands among others in the retail part of the shop along with a range of undercar services such as alignment, brake repair and oil changes. The store also will offer a wireless ``hot spot'' for customers to access the Internet.
``Because we are only open during the work week, we felt it would be a disservice to our customers not to offer them access to the Internet and their e-mail while they waited for services to be completed on their vehicle,'' Mr. Dennis said.
On the commercial side, Consolidated sells various new brands, as well as Michelin retreads produced at Consolidated's plant in Pelzer, S.C. Its other four stores are all in South Carolina.
Big O offering free XM radios with tires
CENTENNIAL, Colo.-Big O Tires Inc. is offering customers at all of its locations a free XM radio with the purchase of a set of Big O brand tires.
>From May 13 through July 7, customers who buy a set of tires will receive a certificate from the store redeemable for a free Delphi RoadyXT Radio. To receive a free radio receiver, customers must subscribe to a year's XM radio service and pay a reduced activation charge, Big O said.
Customers can fax, e-mail or mail their completed registration and original sales receipt to register for the promotion. Once registered, Big O said customers will be contacted to arrange selection and delivery of their XM device.
Tire Rack debuts online wheel tool
SOUTH BEND, Ind.-Mail order and Internet retailer Tire Rack has launched a tool on its Web site to help consumers try out the look of various types of aftermarket custom wheels before purchasing them.
Tire Rack's site, www.tirerack.com, features an Upgrade Garage where users can select their current vehicle, one they're considering buying or any other vehicle and select wheels from a list of products that fit the particular vehicle. A print feature generates a pdf image that can be printed or saved.
The tool is free and does not require registration. Tire Rack said it does not limit how many images users can print or save, and it has 31 brands of wheels in stock to peruse.
Royal Tire now a Mighty franchise
ST. CLOUD, Minn.-Royal Tire Inc. has secured a Mighty Auto Parts franchise with exclusive distribution rights in central Minnesota.
In February, the St. Cloud-based dealership began supplying Mighty Distributing System of America automotive products to non-affiliated automotive service providers within its new franchise territory, nine of its own retail outlets and dozens of its wholesale tire customers that operate under Royal Tire's TireOne affiliated dealer program banner.
Royal Tire President Pat Duininck said the dealership's Mighty franchise fits its business culture and will contribute to increased sales and efficiencies.
Rick Lang, Royal Tire's consumer division manager, said that through Mighty, Royal Tire can give its TireOne participants a competitive advantage in preventive maintenance sales.
Atlanta-based Mighty has 115 franchised distributors, 30 of which are owned and operated by major tire dealers.