CarAdvise adds Les Schwab Tire to its service provider network

CHICAGO — Les Schwab Tire Centers, the nation's sixth largest tire retailer, has allied itself with CarAdvise L.L.C., an online comparison-shopping platform for vehicle maintenance and repair.

Word of Les Schwab's move comes just a week after the nation's No. 1 independent tire retailer, Discount Tire/America's Tire, agreed to be part of the CarAdvise service network.

Les Schwab's move expands the CarAdvise network by over 480 points of sale, predominantly in the Northwest, Rocky Mountain states and California.

Bend, Ore.-based Les Schwab did not comment on its decision.

CarAdvise CEO Greg Tapas called the late Les Schwab, founder of Les Schwab Tire, an "innovator" for the business principles he employed when founding his company nearly 70 years ago.

" …today, we've added to those innovative ways by creating our unique partnership," he added, noting that "innovation through technology" has enabled CarAdvise to create a new way for consumers to interact with tire and maintenance vehicle services.

CarAdvise's online vehicle service program helps drivers reduce vehicle tire service expenses while saving time and effort associated with maintaining their vehicle's tires, Chicago-based CarAdvise said. Through the platform's technology, drivers can schedule appointments, approve and pay for services, and view their service history from their digital devices.

Adding Les Schwab's 480-plus retail outlets throughout the U.S. will provide CarAdvise's 400,000-plus members more options to handle their vehicle service and repair needs, Mr. Tepas said. CarAdvise states members can book services at over 20,000 retail locations throughout the U.S.

Les Schwab Tire Centers' stores are located in California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington.

Other major retail tire and auto repair networks that are listed as part of the CarAdvise network include Firestone Complete Auto Care (and the Tires Plus and Wheel Works associated stores), TBC Corp.'s NTB and Tire Kingdom chains, Icahn Automotive's Pep Boys and AAMCO networks, Sears Auto Centers and Meineke Car Care Centers.

CarAdvise advertises that customers save on average 15% to 40% versus retail price for services, depending on the shop, service and type of vehicle. CarAdvise guarantees that the cost of services procured through its platform are lower than retail prices available directly.