Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Rubber News
  • European Rubber Journal
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • Current Issue
  • News
    • OPINION
    • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
    • COMMERCIAL TIRE
    • GOVERNMENT & LAW
    • Humanitarian Award
    • RETAIL TIRES
    • SERVICE ZONE
    • TIRE MAKERS
    • Best Places to Work
    • Mid-Year Report 2022
    • RUSSIA WAR IN UKRAINE
  • Aligning with ADAS
  • Data
    • DATA STORE
  • Custom
    • SPONSORED CONTENT
  • Events
    • ASK THE EXPERT
    • LIVESTREAMS
    • WEBINARS
    • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
    • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
  • Resources
    • DIRECTORY
    • CLASSIFIEDS
    • SHOP FLOOR
    • AWARDS
    • BALANCING
    • DEMOUNTING
    • SAFETY
    • TIRE REPAIR
    • TPMS
    • TRAINING
    • VEHICLE LIFTING
    • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Best Places to Work
  • ADVERTISE
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
April 20, 2017 02:00 AM

Millennials seek dealers with quality apps

Miles Moore
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    Clemson Tire Conference photo
    Evankovich

    HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C.—Tire dealers who want the younger generation's business would do well to have good apps and be ahead of the game technologically, according to two speakers at the 33rd Clemson University Global Tire Industry Conference in Hilton Head.

    "Your use of technology will determine your future success," said John Evankovich, director of Sam's Club Tire & Battery Centers, at the presentation he made April 19 with David Martin, director of sales for American Tire Distributors.

    Millennials — those born after 1989 — are changing dealers' relationships with their customers, and changing them fast, according to Mr. Evankovich.

    Millennials shop online for whatever products they want, and get all the information they need within seconds by searching online, he said.

    Clemson TIre Industry photo

    Martin

    "We in the tire industry have a big advantage," Mr. Evankovich said. "Consumers still have to come into the dealership for service. The relationship between dealer and customer will still matter, but your app will determine whether you get that next click."

    Mr. Martin said we are living in an "Age of Acceleration," in which the availability of both knowledge and the technology to obtain it are expanding exponentially.

    "It took 38 years for 50 million people to have radios, and 13 years for 50 million people to have televisions," he said. "Pokémon Go had 310 million followers a week after it was introduced.

    "You've got to understand the heart of the new information flow," Mr. Martin said. "It's the consumer. They still need help installing tires, and this works to the installer's advantage if he takes the time to understand what's going on."

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Tire Business would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor Don Detore at [email protected].

    Most Popular
    1
    Nokian reverses course, begins 'controlled exit' from Russia
    2
    BKT USA attributes success to teamwork
    3
    Bridgestone's TireConnect adds direct referrals to independent dealers
    4
    One killed, two injured in shooting at WeatherTech facility
    5
    Big O adds 3 to Hall of Fame, honors top dealers
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Newsletter Center

    Staying current is easy with Tire Business delivered straight to your inbox.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Subscribe to Tire Business

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • RSS

    Our Mission

    Tire Business is an award-winning publication dedicated to providing the latest news, data and insights into the tire and automotive service industries.

    Reader Services
    • Staff
    • About Us
    • Site Map
    • Industry Sites
    • Order Reprints
    • Customer Service: 877-320-1716
    Partner Sites
    • Rubber News
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Automotive News
    • Plastics News
    • Urethanes Technology
    RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Media Guide
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Classified Rates
    • Digital Edition
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    Copyright © 1996-2022. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • OPINION
      • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
      • COMMERCIAL TIRE
      • GOVERNMENT & LAW
      • Humanitarian Award
      • RETAIL TIRES
      • SERVICE ZONE
      • TIRE MAKERS
      • Best Places to Work
      • Mid-Year Report 2022
      • RUSSIA WAR IN UKRAINE
    • Aligning with ADAS
    • Data
      • DATA STORE
    • Custom
      • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • Events
      • ASK THE EXPERT
      • LIVESTREAMS
      • WEBINARS
      • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
      • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
    • Resources
      • DIRECTORY
      • CLASSIFIEDS
      • SHOP FLOOR
        • BALANCING
        • DEMOUNTING
        • SAFETY
        • TIRE REPAIR
        • TPMS
        • TRAINING
        • VEHICLE LIFTING
        • WHEEL TORQUE
      • AWARDS
        • Best Places to Work
    • ADVERTISE
    • DIGITAL EDITION