AKRON — Goodyear is expanding its Mobile Install service to Atlanta and Chicago, where it plans to deploy an undisclosed number of mobile installation vans to meet growing demand for online shopping and mobile delivery in those metro areas.
With these additions, Goodyear's mobile-fitting service is now available in 10 larger metro areas throughout the U.S. The company debuted the service in 2017 in Los Angeles and Orange County, Calif., and Raleigh, N.C., to evaluate the efficacy of this tire-servicing alternative. Since then it has added mobile service in Cleveland/Northeast Ohio; Charlotte, N.C.; Silicon Valley, Calif.; and Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas.
The Mobile Install program, which runs through Goodyear's company-owned retail network, is offered at extra cost beyond standard installation.
Goodyear did not disclose how many vans it plans to have in operation in Atlanta or Chicago or how many are in operation already at the other areas where it's offered.
"With our mobile tire installation option, we aim to accommodate customers who prefer not to leave their homes to get tires installed, as well as those who could simply benefit from the time saved," Ryan Hartschuh, mobile planning and development manager at Goodyear, said.
"Our state-of-the-art van delivers the same quality mounting, balancing and installation process that you'd expect, without so much as leaving your home, workplace or even your kids' soccer practice."
Booking Mobile Install is part of the online tire-buying process on Goodyear.com. After customers finalize their tire choice and their zip code is confirmed, the site will offer the Mobile Install option at checkout if it's available in their area.
If they choose the Mobile Install option, customers will select a time and place for installation.
On its site, Goodyear provides a checklist of physical conditions consumers must consider to ensure a smooth installation experience, including:
- Vehicle must be parked in a safe place to perform services;
- There needs to at least five feet of space on all sides of the vehicle being serviced; and
- If parked in a covered location, there needs to be 10 feet of vertical clearance for the van.
In Chicago Goodyear has 14 company-owned Goodyear Auto Service locations in the metro area and a handful of others in outlying suburbs, whereas in Atlanta it has only four in the metro area.
Goodyear claims Mobile Install is highly rated by customers in those areas where it's already offered and has grown in popularity as COVID-19 has changed in-person shopping habits.