April 2010 Issue

PM 40014105
volume 7 / Number 2 / APRIL 2010 / $4,95
www.autosphere.ca
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Atlas Tire Wholesale
Inc.
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Making
With Consumers
Contents
14
C O V ER ST O R Y
April 2010
54
f e at u r e s
10
Aftermarket Industry Event
The 2010 AIA Grand Forum
32
Leader Profile
Focus on Quality
12
A New Season Is On Its Way
Tire Companies Involved in Motorsports
33
Scrap Tire Recycling
Magnum Canada
14
Be Tire Smart: Making a Difference With
Consumers
Study Shows that Education Is the Key
34
More Than Tires
Maintenance Opportunities
36
Garage Business
Up in Smoke
38
OK Tire Bids Farewell to Nelson Gray
Senior Vice-president Retiring After 46 Years
40-50
SPECIAL SECTION
2010-2011 Winter Tires
54
Business Matters
Stuck in the ’80s
SPECIAL SECTION – LIGHT TRUCK TIRES
20
Winter Tires
Light Trucks Get New Tires
22
Michelin’s LTX M/S2
A New Generation of Tires for
Light Trucks and SUVs
WCTD 2010 Convention
24
Conventional Wisdom
Western Canada Tire Dealers Rally to the
Cause in Edmonton
RE G U L ARS
26
An Enduring Contribution
WCTD Hall of Fame Awards
4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Editorial
28
Tipping Point?
Alberta’s Predicament Revealed at WCTD
Tire Stewardship Seminar
6, 8, 9, 53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Industry News
Safety in the Workplace and Quality of Repairs
You Have a Legal Responsibility
53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Advertisers
30
18, 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Commercial Tires
| www.autosphere.ca | April 2010 | Tire News |
3
editorial
True, you might mot see as many customers this way, but you will have served each
customer better. In short, you’re telling your
customers that you are more interested in
doing a quality job for them than in making
a quick buck.
Easy come, easy go
Customers who are simply interested in a
quick fix might not be the ideal customers for
you if you stay focused on quality. But that’s
not necessarily a bad thing. You want to do a
Quality
Takes Time
good job because you want repeat business.
How will you handle the flood of business coming your way this spring?
about quality will value your honesty and the
W
Clients who want a quick fix and who shop on
price alone are not loyal and you can’t count
on them for repeat business.
On the other hand, customers who care
Contributing Editors
Shirley Brown, François Charron, Éric Decarries,
Jack Kazmierski, Daniel Lafrance, Jil McIntosh,
Tim Pawsey, Dave Redinger
Copy Editor
Shirley Brown [email protected]
Production
Olivier Rhême [email protected]
Valérie St-Cyr [email protected]
Circulation Manager
Nancy Belleville [email protected]
Administration
Wendy Allain [email protected]
Marie-Hélène Côté [email protected]
concern you have for their safety and well-
Advertising
Nathalie Plouffe
416-925-5665
being. They know that it takes time to inspect
[email protected]
a vehicle, recommend preventive mainten-
Luc Champagne
514-945-1299
ance, install a tire, balance it, inflate it with
[email protected]
ith winter behind us, thoughts of
Nitrogen, check the TPMS system, etc. These
spring and warmer weather abound.
are the customers you want to attract, be-
No doubt tire shops will be busy soon
cause once you earn their trust and respect,
[email protected]
they will come back to you year after year.
Subscription
1 year: $19.95 2 years: $34.95 3 years: $49.95
These are also the kind of customers that
Published by
as customers stop by to don a set of summer
tires, balance wheels, check alignment, etc.
Knowing that a tsunami of business is about
appreciate the need to make an appointment
to burst through your doors, you might be
and have things unfold in an orderly manner.
tempted to squeeze as many customers into
They are not cattle, and they certainly don’t
your work day as possible, with an emphasis
want to be treated as such. They know that
on quantity rather than quality. But that could
quality takes time.
be a mistake.
Today’s more sophisticated consumers demand quality. As a business owner, you can
Rémy L. Rousseau
[email protected]
provide that quality by focusing your efforts on
doing the job right the first time and by putting
an emphasis on preventive maintenance.
Each customer’s vehicle provides you with an
opportunity to go beyond a simple install and
balance. Why not do a complete inspection of
For more tips and insight into the tire indus-
the vehicle and explain to your clients what
try, I invite you to visit our unique bilingual
preventive maintenance has to be performed
automotive portal, www.autosphere.ca, for
in order to protect their investment and keep
more great advice and industry insights. We
the vehicle running safely while protecting
too look forward to working with you in 2010
the environment and the well-being of the
and beyond.
passengers?
| Tire News | April 2010 | www.autosphere.ca | Réjean A. Rousseau
450-649-9007
Rousseau Automotive Communication
455, rue Notre-Dame est, suite 311,
Montréal QC, H2Y 1C9
T : 514-289-0888 / 1-877-989-0888
F : 514-289-5151
[email protected]
www.autosphere.ca
Focus on quality
4
Publisher
Rémy L. Rousseau
Tire News Magazine is dedicated to serving the business
interests of the Canadian tire industry. It is published four
times a year by Rousseau Automotive Communication, a
member of AIA Canada.
Material in Tire News Magazine may not be reproduced in
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publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertising and
disclaims all responsibilities for claims or statements made
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in no way to be construed as statements, positions or
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SOME TIRES SCREAM AROUND A CORNER.
THIS ONE PREFERS TO WHISPER.
Introducing the next-generation touring tire that delivers a whisper quiet thrill ride.
Notice the sleeker, more advanced tread pattern designed to grip the road in wet
or dry conditions. Thanks to a 15% lower rolling resistance, the Yokohama AVID
ENVigor provides better fuel economy and wear throughout the year. But if that
doesn’t move you maybe you’ll take comfort knowing that this is one of our most
environmentally friendly tires yet. We’ve incorporated a safer, zero waste rubber
compound for the well-being of the planet. So you can feel even better the next time
you accelerate out of a corner.
www.Yokohama.ca
Industry News
Unimax Appointment
Bridgestone Continues
With NHL Messier
Leadership Awards
Bridgestone America will carry on as presenting sponsor of the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award (recognizes a NHL player
who “demonstrates superior leadership in
hockey and has made positive contributions
to society”) and the NHL’s Mark Messier
Youth Leadership Award.
“I’m very excited to continue my partnership with the Bridgestone team,” Messier
said. “As a company they share my passion
for excellence and community service. The
Youth Leadership Awards is especially close
to my heart—it rewards an amateur player
or coach who represents aspects of youth
hockey that really make a difference: courage, leadership and community spirit.
Said Phil Pacsi, Bridgestone VP, “We’re
delighted to align another NHL marketing
platform to the Bridgestone brand with Mark
Messier, who set the standard for leadership on the ice and off. Mark also uniquely
enables the Bridgestone brand to promote
and reward community leadership throughout
North America.”
CATRA’s New Contact
Information
Please note that CATRA’s contact information has changed. Since it changes every two
years and that the address matches with the
Chair province, contact points do change.
Subsequently, what follows is the new information:
CATRA
c/o
PO Box 5366
Victoria (BC) V8R 6S4
Tel.: 1-866-749-0488
Fax: 250-598-9119
[email protected]
www.catraonline.ca
6
| Tire News | April 2010 | www.autosphere.ca | Pierre Germain, VP, Network Development,
has announced that Jason Callendar has been
appointed as Unimax’s sales representative
for New Brunswick. Jason has several years
of experience in the sales field, mainly in the
heavy-duty automotive parts industry.
Firestone and the DeltaWing
The Chicago Auto Show saw the unveiling
of an unusual design. Indeed, it was at Bridgestone’s booth that the Delta Wing concept
IndyCar race was first shown. This project
could very well be the Indy car of the future—all Indy cars are shod with Firestone
tires.
The Delta Wing Indy car concept had the mandatory
Firestone tires. (photo: Éric Descarries)
A bigger OTR tire?
Could there be an even bigger OTR tire
coming up? Indeed, as the biggest OTR tires
on the market have 63 or 64 as a rim size,
Titan International has announced it would
test its first 73.5-inch “super giant” OTR tire very soon. According to Titan’s Chairman
and CEO Morry Taylor, the tire will be put in
the field during the third quarter of 2010 as
he expects the mining tire market to be better than in 2009. He also added that Titan,
an American company, is taking orders from
abroad, including from Africa and Australia.
In addition, Titan has recently rolled out a
new Ag tire, the Goodyear Sure Grip TD-8
Radial R-2 in size 480/80R50. This tire is
designed for the rice and sugar cane market.
Four New Firestone
Products at the Chicago
Auto Show
Every year, Bridgestone has a big booth at
the Chicago International Auto Show. This
year Bridgestone and its American counterpart Firestone introduced quite a few new
products at the show. There were also a few
other interesting announcements.
For instance, the Firestone brand, with
more than 109 years of history unveiled four
new products at the Chicago Auto Show. The
first one is the Precision Touring, a long wear
tire with a wide footprint designed for better
handling and resistance to hydroplaning. This
tire will come in 20 sizes for 15- to 17-inch
wheels with popular fitments for cars like the
Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Kia Sedona.
Then, Firestone also introduced the Precision Sport, a high-performance all-season tire
that will come in 17 sizes for vehicles like
the Nissan Altima, Ford Focus, and Mazda3.
Firestone’s third new tire unveiled at the
Chicago Auto Show was the Firehawk Wide
Oval Indy 500, the brand’s all-new high-performance flagship product designed for high
response and powerful braking performance;
it has been tuned for both wet and dry handling. This new tire will be available in some
40 sizes for 15- to 20-inch wheels and will
have a W speed rating. It will be a perfect fit
for cars like the Ford Mustang, Pontiac G8,
and even the Honda Civic Si.
Finally, the fourth new surprise was the
Destination ST, an asymmetric non-directional tread design tire built for sport trucks and
performance SUVs and CUVs. This tire will
come in 18 sizes with H, V, and W speed
ratings and Firestone thinks it will be ideal
for vehicles like the Jeep Liberty, Chevrolet
Silverado, and Mazda CX-7.
Firestone introduced four new tires at the Chicago
Auto Show. (photo: Éric Descarries)
THE Ecopia™ EP422™ delivers a smooth comfortable ride and, thanks to improved rolling resistance, helps achieve better fuel efficiency.
With its innovative tread compound and advanced traction technology, this all-season tire is a reliable performer on wet and dry surfaces.
■ Low rolling resistance
■ Sizes from 15˝ to 16˝ ■ UTQG: 400 AA
■ Great all-season tire for hybrid and fuel-efficient sedans
1-866-9 GO TIRE
tiresafety.com
bridgestonetire.ca
Industry News
EPA Confirms Many New
SmartWay Certifications for
Truck Tires
SmartWay is collaboration launched in
2004 between the
EPA (Environmental
Protection Agency,
in the U.S.) and
the freight sector to improve
energy efficiency
and to reduce
greenhouse gas
and air pollutant
emissions. Most recently, it has added
quite a few new truck
tires to its list of veriYokohama 101ZL
fied technologies for lowrolling resistance tires. Among them
are seven Yokohama tires including the 101ZL and 103ZR steer
tires, the RY587 trailer tire and
the TY517MC2 drive tire. The
101ZL and 103ZR steer tires
are part of Yokohama’s Zenvironment line.
SmartWay also added two
Bridgestone tires to its list,
the R260F and R250F commercial units. These two tires
bring Bridgestone’s contribution
to SmartWay to seven units. The
R260F and the R250F radials are
Bridgestone R260F
designed for pick-up and delivery
vehicles used in package and parcel delivery,
beverage hauling, grocery and food services,
and other similar purposes.
Finally, Continental’s new low rolling resistance HDL2 DL Eco Plus, which will be
released in June, is already part of SmartWay.
The HDL2 DL Eco Plus (Heavy
Drive Long Haul Deep Lug)
was designed to provide
long original mileage with the deepest
32/32 (a full inch)
tread depth. This
tire is said to provide great traction
in both wet and
dry road conditions.
This new tire joins
five other Continental
commercial truck tires
approved to be part of
SmartWay. It will be availContinental
HDL2 DL
able in 275/80R22.5.
Eco Plus
8
| Tire News | April 2010 | www.autosphere.ca | Bridgestone Unveiled Its
New Ecopia Tires at the
Chicago Auto Show
Bridgsetone unveiled two new Ecopia tires
at the Chicago Auto Show, the Dueler H/L 422 Ecopia, a first tire ever for SUVs, CUVs,
and light trucks to incorporate the Ecopia
technology, which features low rolling resistance for better fuel economy. It will come
in six sizes for 16- to 18-inch wheels. In
addition, Bridgestone introduced the Ecopia
EP422, an all-season low resistance tire for
fuel-efficient vehicles (available in five sizes
for 15- and 16-inch wheels). Both the Ecopia
EP422 and Dueler H/L 422 Ecopia are built
with a new Fuel Saver sidewall compound
that lowers rolling resistance by returning
energy back to the tire instead of generating
heat like a conventional sidewall would do.
Bridgestone had all three Ecopia tires at its Chicago
Auto Show booth including the new EP422 and Dueler
H/L422. (photo: Éric Descarries)
The AVID ENVigor—
Yokohama’s Grand
Performance Tire
Yokohama’s new AVID ENVigor is now
available and in 69 sizes for a wide array of
vehicle applications. The ENVigor replaces
Yokohama’s popular AVID H4s/V4s and W4
tires and was named “Grand Performance”
due to its collective characteristics.
The ENVigor comes in H, V, and W speed
ratings. It is engineered with Yokohama’s proprietary Adaptive 3D sipes; angled groove
walls and circumferential grooves that resist
hydroplaning; a tapered centre rib and unibloc shoulder for stiffness; a six-pitch tread
variation for reduced pattern noise; groove-ingroove technology
for reduced uneven wear; and
a new silica
compound for
excellent fuel
efficiency.
Goodyear Introduces a New
Super-Single Tire
Goodyear recently announced its all-new
super-single mixed-service tire, the G296
MSA with optimized footprint for steer and
drive positions. Developed for heavy on- and
off-road applications such as mixers, dump
trucks, pumpers, and other specialty heavy
trucks, the G296 MSA will be available in
three sizes: 385/65R22.5 (load
range J), 425/65R22.5 (load
range L) and 445/65R22.5
( l o a d r a n g e L ) w i t h
23/32-inch tread depth
which is 4/32-inch
more than previous
Goodyear super-single
mixed-service tires
corresponding to 23%
more wearable rubber.
The tire will also be
available with Goodyear’s
DuraSeal Technology in
the 425/65R22.5 size. Let’s
mention that this new G296 MSA
is lighter that the manufacturer’s previous
model.
Bridgestone to Invest in an
Iowa Farm Tire Plant
Bridgestone Americas has announced it
would invest some $77 million U.S. in its
Firestone Des Moines, Iowa, agricultural tire
plant over the next three years. This investment will expand its capacity and upgrade
manufacturing to meet the increasing demand for high-capacity radial farm tires in
the U.S. as much as in Canada. The actual
plant is already 65 years old and employs
1,400 people. Its actual capacity is 12,100
units a day.
Kumho’s New Solus HM Tire
Kumho just launched, in the U.S., a new
high-mileage premium all-season tire, the
ecological Solus HM (HM stands for High
Mileage). The manufacturer specified a new
compound for the tread that will allow the tire to last 160,000
km. The new Solus HM
will be available in 23
sizes for 13- to 17-inch
wheels at a T speed
index. This tire covers a
range of vehicle sizes,
from small sedans to
minivans.
Continental Chosen as
OE Tires for the Ram
Medium-duty Truck
Chrysler Group LLC recently chose Continental HSR and HDR truck tires as original equipment fitment for its Ram mediumduty chassis-cab trucks beginning with
the 2011 model year vehicles. According
to Continental, this agreement would be a
multi-year contract for the 4500 and 5500
chassis-cab models. The fitment size will
be the 225/70R19.5 with an exclusive N
speed rating (140 km/h), a notch above the
M speed rating (130 km/h). The reason for
faster speed is an application for emergency
vehicles like fire and rescue and ambulance
vehicles.
LOVE THE BUSINESS YOU’RE IN.
HONESTLY.
Hankook Launches a
New Drive Tire
Hankook unveiled a new deeptread, long-haul, drive-axle tire
at the Mid-America Truck
Show in Louisville, Kentucky—the DL07. This new
tire is aimed at smaller
fleets and owner-operators.
It will soon be available in
285/75R24.5 while Hankook has announced it will
also come in three other sizes during the year—11R22.5,
11R24.5, and 295/75R22.5.
Including Hankook’s e3 technology (Energy, Economy, and Environment), the
DL07 is designed for improved traction and
performance for line-haul applications in allweather conditions.
Satisfied dealers is one of the reasons we’re now Canada’s largest
independent tire retailer. Our owners are shareholders, which means
they not only benefit from a large buying network but they also get
support, business training and an inventory tailored to their needs.
Not to mention the shared profits in a multi-million dollar business with
270 stores coast-to-coast. What’s not to love?
To find out if O.K. Tire is right for you,
call the Franchise Department at
1-800-663-1749 or visit oktire.com
TM
The O.K. Tire mark is a trademark of O.K. Tire Stores Inc.
OKT-09-321 Honestly.indd 1
2/1/10 8:42 AM
| www.autosphere.ca | April 2010 | Tire News |
9
By: Valérie St-Cyr
[email protected]
Photos: Marie-Josée Rousseau
AIA Canada’s Marc Brazeau
AIA Quebec’s Gaëtan Dussault
Rousseau Automotive Communication’s Rémy Rousseau
Aftermarket Industry Event
THE 2010
AIA GRAND
FORUM
On March 24, Quebec’s aftermarket industry met up for a
day of conferences, exhibits,
and networking—it was the
third annual AIA Grand Forum!
This yearly event focuses on
profitability-enhancing tips and
solutions, idea sharing, and the
upcoming trends and challenges
the industry will see in coming years. About 500 forwardthinking aftermarket professionals were present to soak up
the knowledge, meet with their
peers, and visit the trade show.
www.aiacanada.com
10
| Tire News | April 2010 | www.autosphere.ca | AIA Canada’s John Watt
UNLOCK THE POSSIBILITIES. CHOOSE FALKEN.
No longer just a high performance brand, today Falken
offers a complete product line-up. 128,000 km touring,
medium truck, aggressive all-terrain, or ultra-high
performance tires, Falken’s got you covered. World
class customer service, strong fill rates, uncompromised
marketing and motorsports programs, the Falken brand
continues to grow. Unlock your possibilities.
Follow us:
Become a Falken Fanatic at wegetyougoing.com
13649 Valley Blvd. / Fontana, CA 92335 / Tel: 800.723.2553 Fax: 909.466.1169
T IR E
www.falkentire.com
A New Season Is On Its Way
Éric Descarries
Tire Companies Involved
in Motorsports
Ever since there has been auto racing, tire manufacturers have
been involved, so it’s no surprise to see just about every modern
tire maker participating in motorsports these days. Technology has
always been tire makers’ leitmotiv for participating, but there is a
new twist to it this year—environmentally friendly racing tires.
E
[email protected]
This is Pirelli’s last season with the Rolex Series.
ven though it has announced that
in series such as the SCCA Mazda MX-5
it would not be back in the Grand-
Cup and Legend racing. BFGoodrich is
Am Rolex Series next year, Pirelli
also involved in drifting, in which a few
is producing its P Zero Racing slicks with
other manufacturers are involved, includ-
highly aromatic oil-free process in line
ing Falken, a company that has recently
with European Union regulations (the
begun participating in road racing in the
EU believes aromatic oils to be carcino-
ALMS Series. Dunlop is also in ALMS, as
gens). Meanwhile, in England, Dunlop
is Yokohama.
Motorsports (which is part of Goodyear
Dunlop U.K.) has begun producing a re-
Goodyear remains faithful to NASCAR.
It should be noted that in the event that
formulated compound for its Sport Maxx
still continue to play the same role with
Bridgestone is in its last year in F1, it still
race tire used in the British Touring Car
the US F2000 National Championship
continues to provide tires to the IndyCar
Championship. It, too, uses low polycyclic
and the Prototype Lites Championship.
and Indy Light series under the Firestone
moniker. Yokohama is the supplier for the
aromatic materials to comply with EU
regulations. Let’s not forget Michelin’s role
In addition, Bridgestone Corporation an-
Asian Formula 3 series and the FIA World
in environmentally friendly race tires since
nounced last fall that this would be its
Touring Car Championship. It also plays
it began the Green X Championship last
last season as unique tire supplier to
a smaller part in other forms of motor-
year in the American Le Mans Series.
the Formula One Championship Series.
sports, just like Toyo, who is involved in
Who will replace Bridgestone, nobody
SCORE, CORR, a few road racing series,
knows. Michelin, Goodyear, and Pirelli
and… NHRA!
Some changes
Back to the Grand-Am series—Continent-
have expressed no interest in replacing
al announced late last year that it would
the Japanese manufacturer.
be the official tire supplier to the series’
Federal, General Tire, Hankook, Kumho,
Maxxis, Nitto, and a few others are also
Sports Car Challenge, which involves cars
The usual big players
such as BMW M3s, Nissan 350Zs, and
Fortunately, many big tire manufacturers
Hoosier, probably North America’s big-
Ford Mustangs. Its latest strategic alli-
keep supporting and providing tires to a
gest specialty tire maker, again, as it pro-
ance with American specialty tire maker
lot of major series. For instance, Goodyear
vides race tires for series such as ARCA,
Hoosier will be of great help. Three years
is still in all three NASCAR major series
NASCAR West, SCCA Trans Am, NHRA,
ago, Hoosier was official supplier to the
(Sprint Cup, Nationwide, and Camping
USAC Silver Crown, Sprint Cars, Midgets,
Rolex Series and it will be back in 2011
World) and even in the Canadian Tire
Lucas Oil Dirt Racing, and karting. Now
but this time under the Continental name
series—with a racing tire made in Canada!
associated with Continental, Hoosier by
brand, thus replacing Pirelli.
You will also see a lot of Goodyears in
itself is worth its own story…
in some form of racing but let’s mention
Unfortunately, for Cooper, news isn’t as
racing, solo, USAC Crown Silver, sprint
good. Cooper had agreed to become the
cars, NHRA, and more.
presenting sponsor and exclusive supplier
12
for the Formula Atlantic Series powered
BFGoodrich has always played a big part
by Mazda but the season was cancelled
in off-road racing and it will do so again
due to lack of participants. But Cooper will
this year, in addition to its involvement
| Tire News | April 2010 | www.autosphere.ca | Expect Continental to be more active
in racing in the coming years.
Photos: Éric Descarries
many other forms of racing including road
P R O F I L E
Jil McIntosh
[email protected]
Be Tire Smart: Making a Difference With Consumers
Study Shows that
Education Is the Key
It’s always amazing to hear that it’s often the simplest habits that are the hardest to instill.
That’s the case with measuring tire pressure regularly—a few minutes once a month, and drivers can look forward to better fuel economy, longer tire life, and improved safety. Many drivers
already know the benefits: the hard part is actually getting them to do it.
T
14
hat’s the focus of the Be Tire Smart
The Be Tire Smart campaign is man-
Checking the numbers
campaign, which has released the
aged by the Rubber Association of
“We did a study in 2003 to determine how
results of a new national study on
Canada, with additional funding from
Canadians fared in proper tire mainten-
tire maintenance. It seems that while
Natural Resources Canada. The pro-
ance,” says Gilles Paquette, communica-
Canadians overall are still fairly lax about
gram came to Canada in 1999, based
tions manager for the Rubber Association.
how much air is actually inside their tires,
on a successful plan used in the U.S.,
“The key findings then were that at least
there seems to be a definite improvement
while the federal government came on
half of those surveyed weren’t checking
when they’re actively given the message.
board in 2002.
their tire pressure, at least three-quarters
| Tire News | April 2010 | www.autosphere.ca | had a pressure issue, whether under- or
overinflated, and people didn’t know how
to properly measure their tire pressure.”
The campaign operates on several levels,
including a website at www.betiresmart.ca;
brochures handed out at retail stores;
tire clinics; kiosks and displays at auto
shows; a pilot project called the Care-Van
that visited events in Ontario; giveaways
including tread wear indicators and tire
pressure gauges; and the national annual
Be Tire Smart Week, that runs this year
from May 17 to 23, and which includes
extensive media coverage.
A few surprises
The new 2009 study came up with
a few surprises. The survey covered
Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto,
Sherbrooke, and Fredericton, a statistically representative sample of the
Canadian population.
“We’re noticing that the severity of severe
the 2003 and 2009 study may have
the percentage of vehicles with at least one
underinflation has gone down,” Paquette
helped contribute to the drastic change.
tire inflation problem was only 23.4 percent.
says. The percentage of misinflated tires
For example, tire pressure monitoring sys-
has changed appreciably—it now hovers
tems (TPMS) were mandated in the U.S.
“There’s a lot of activity in New Brunswick,”
around 55 percent—but the number of
in 2007 and therefore are increasingly
Paquette says. “For the last four years, the
drivers with tires underinflated close to
available on newer vehicles. These TPMS
New Brunswick Lung Association has
the danger level (considered 20 percent
warning lights may have prompted many
been hosting tire clinics every summer
or more underinflated) has dropped sig-
drivers to check and fill low tires that
and fall, using our materials and educat-
nificantly. In 2003, 23 percent of drivers
they normally would have ignored. “Also,
ing people on tire maintenance. We had a
had at least one tire that was dangerously
since 2003, we’ve seen gas prices spike
pilot project with a driving school that was
low. In the 2009 study, it had dropped
at almost $1.50 or more in some regions
doing active tire clinics throughout New
drastically to an average of eight percent.
of Canada,” Paquette says. “That spurred
Brunswick and Nova Scotia. We’ve got
a whole lot of media attention as to what
people on the ground there actively edu-
“The underinflation has gone down, but
we can do to save on fuel. People were
cating people every year, over and over,
we’re still seeing inflation problems,”
looking for any trick they could. And the
and you see the numbers.”
Paquette says. “Overinflation is becom-
awareness of the importance of tire main-
ing a problem, and that’s telling us that
tenance has gone up. Even though people
people really still don’t know how to prop-
don’t always know how to do it properly,
A new tool for tread
and temperature
erly maintain their tires—that they’re
they’re paying attention to it, and that
This year, the Be Tire Smart program
reading the sidewall instead of knowing
could be a reason as well.”
includes a new item, the Tread Wear
where to look. The consumer attitude portion of our study confirms this trend.”
Education is the key
Indicator Tool, meant as a handout for
consumers. It’s similar to the previous
Education is the key, of course, and the
tread wear tool, which consisted of a
numbers bear this out. Overall, the percent-
credit-card-sized plastic card with informa-
age of vehicles with at least one tire infla-
tion on the Be Tire Smart campaign, along
In-depth study of the data is still needed
tion problem was 70 percent in 2003; this
with a snap-off plastic tag embossed with
to determine all the factors, but Paquette
dropped to 55 percent across the country in
a tread depth gauge and meant to be at-
suggests that some differences between
2009. But in Fredericton, New Brunswick,
tached to a key chain.
Outside influences on
consumer behaviour
| www.autosphere.ca | April 2010 | Tire News |
15
“It’s now a dual tool,” Paquette says. “On
one side it’s still the tread wear indicator,
but on the other side, it has a temperature-sensitive ink that tells you when it’s
time to switch to your winter tires. When
the temperature falls, there’s a mountain
and snowflake symbol that glows dark
blue. It changes very quickly when you
take your keys outside.”
The tool will be given out at auto shows,
while retailers can order them through the
Resources tab on the website, or by sending an email to [email protected].
Focusing on company fleets
“We’re trying to get large corporations
do it freely,” he says. “We ask people to
Another initiative for 2010 is a focus on
with fleets of vehicles on board to educate
answer a short, four-question survey and
small-vehicle fleets of passenger cars and
their employees on the benefits of proper
then we go through it line by line and
light-duty trucks less than 10,000 lbs
tire maintenance—not just the vehicle
give them a detailed education before
GVWR. “People have enough difficulty
they’re driving, but also their vehicles at
they leave the kiosk. The challenge is
maintaining their tires when it’s their
home. They both win, because the com-
motivating behavioural change—how do
own vehicle, so imagine if they’re given
pany may gain an additional 15,000 kilo-
you get people to actually take five min-
a vehicle as part of a company fleet,”
metres on their tires, and the fuel savings
utes and check their tire pressure every
Paquette says. “They’re definitely not
add up, especially if they’re getting fuel
month? We’re examining what’s working
paying attention to their tires. What we
allowances.”
and what’s not. We’ve seen a difference
want to do is make fleet operators and
in New Brunswick. You’re not reaching an
managers aware of the benefits of proper
Creative ways to reach people
tire maintenance, and make them ambas-
“It’s also about finding creative ways to get
seeing a result in the ones we do reach.
sadors of our message.
people doing it. For example, Ontario’s
I have an education program I’m trying
Hydro One office in Orangeville, Ontario
to develop within schools, and it’s in our
did a clinic for their employees last year,
plans to do it.
enormous number of people, but we’re
by challenging them to see how their
different departments fared to the 2003
“The tire manufacturers are very good.
national average of 70 percent. They were
They’re active by financing the cam-
at 63 percent, and were pleased that they
paign, and they’re distributing our ma-
were under the national average. They
terials through their networks. These
made it a kind of game to see who has
companies become leaders for the
the best habits for tire maintenance. That
message.”
wouldn’t be sustainable forever, but it’s
trying to find these neat ways to encour-
Education is still needed
age people.”
While the numbers are encouraging,
Reaching consumers
at every level
Encouragement is everything, and the
Paquette knows that the only way to make
a difference is to tirelessly campaign and
get the word out to as many drivers as
possible.
Be Tire Smart campaign is depending on
numerous channels to get the message
“We asked people, without hints or an-
out. Equally important, Paquette says, is
swers, what would lead them to check
making sure that drivers get more than
their tire pressure,” he says. “What’s in-
just a passing glance at the materials.
teresting is that 57 percent of people still
said they check their tires when they look
The New Brunswick Lung Association has been hosting tire
clinics every summer and fall; Gardez vos pneus en forme,
roulez mieux is the French version of Be Tire Smart.
16
| Tire News | April 2010 | www.autosphere.ca | “We’re active in the auto shows, and we’ve
low. There’s still a lot of education that’s
given away sets of tires, but we don’t just
needed out there.”
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commercial tires
Éric Descarries [email protected]
Exploring New Markets
SOLIDEAL Is Ready
For New Challenges
SOLIDEAL also markets special wheels.
The economy has slowly begun its recovery, yet as the whole world has been looking for better solutions, any solutions, there have been some very active companies who believe the fight is worth it,
and SOLIDEAL CANADA is one of them.
S
OLIDEAL produces a class-leading
tires, load wheels, construction tires, and
range of tire, wheel, and rubber
agricultural tires.
track products and is, in fact, the
global leader in industrial and solid tires
New markets for forklift tires
for material handling and construction
There were some weaknesses in the trad-
equipment. Most of its production facili-
itional counter-balanced forklift industry
ties are located in Sri Lanka, but there is
last year, as it was pretty much tied into
also manufacturing in North America and
the manufacturing sector, especially the
China.
automotive industry. However, the market
for smaller electric-powered forklifts, also
Obviously, the manufacturer had noted
referred to as Narrow Aisle Equipment,
a slowdown in demand for some prod-
remained healthy. Typically, this smaller
ucts last year. Consequently, SOLIDEAL
equipment is used in warehousing, cold
These Portmaster heavy forklift tires are made by SOLIDEAL.
started expanding into newer markets
storage, and logistics—a sector that has
complete line of replacement tires and
and developing new opportunities in non-
kept going strong. This represented a new
wheels, it has thus launched a new initia-
traditional segments such as polyurethane
opportunity for SOLIDEAL, and with its
tive to increase market in this area. But
that is not all.
Construction tires
SOLIDEAL is well established as the market leader in tires and wheels for material
handling equipment. However, the other
half of its business is related to various
products for construction and mining
equipment. The range includes both radial
and bias ply tires, construction wheels,
and rubber tracks.
In Canada, the growth of SOLIDEAL’s
construction business, over the past few
years, has been so great that the company
National Sales Manager Mike Dembe.
According to Dembe, this market represented a huge and growing opportunity
Mike Dembe is SOLIDEAL’s construction tire sales manager in Canada.
18
| Tire News | April 2010 | www.autosphere.ca | for SOLIDEAL, as the company was a
Photos: Solideal
created a sales division now headed by
newer entrant with relatively low mar-
supplier, SOLIDEAL provides tires, wheels,
of SOLIDEAL International (head office
ket share. Consequently, SOLIDEAL has
and rubber tracks to some of the world’s
in Luxembourg). The Canadian head of-
enjoyed a very healthy growth rate and
best known brands such as Caterpillar,
fice is in Toronto with other locations in
has quickly established itself as an innova-
Case, Komatsu, JCB, Nissan, Linde, and
Montreal, Hamilton, and Cambridge. Truly
tive solution provider in this segment,
many others. The SOLIDEAL range of
a global organization, SOLIDEAL compan-
which includes both compact and heavy
products comprises several brands includ-
ies can be found in the U.S., Germany,
construction, OTR, and mining. With the
ing SOLIDEAL, Magnum, Hauler, and the
France, Australia, Mexico, Italy, Sweden,
economy recovering, Dembe thinks that
new Ecomatic line.
the U.K., and many others.
and the approach of a seasonally busier
SOLIDEAL products are sold through au-
Obviously, Dembe knows that the com-
time, the construction industry is set to
thorized dealers in every major city across
ing year is going to be an interesting
strengthen this spring and summer. “At
Canada. Dembe says that selling indus-
one. But SOLIDEAL is ready for such
any rate, winter is usually a slower time
trial tires is a very profitable business for
challenges, and it shows, if only by his
for construction activity in our country,”
tire dealers, who will position themselves
enthusiasm for the company and its
he points out.
as versatile experts in their market. “It’s
products.
due to the effects of stimulus spending
a profitable segment for tire dealers,” he
says. “It sets them apart from other com-
SOLIDEAL is a world leader in tires,
mercial dealers in the area not offering
rubber tracks, and wheels for material
the same range or services.” SOLIDEAL
handling and construction equipment.
provides all the necessary training and
Through its global network of manufactur-
equipment needed to be successful in the
ing, distribution, and service centres, the
industrial tire business.
SOLIDEAL group supports the forklift and
tire dealers throughout the world. The
With some 50 employees, SOLIDEAL
SOLIDEAL group employs over 9,000
CANADA is a wholly-owned subsidiary
people in 20 countries.
These Trackmaster tires are construction units by SOLIDEAL.
A great business
Dembe likes to say that SOLIDEAL is a
strong company that provides the highest
quality products to help dealers and users
reduce their overall cost per hour. “We are
problem-solvers with a responsibility to
help our dealers grow their market share
by helping them match the best tire for the
application,” he says. As a leading OEM
SOLIDEAL is marketing tracks for big tractors.
How about winter tracks for skid-steer vehicles?
| www.autosphere.ca | April 2010 | Tire News |
19
SPECIAL SECTION – LIGHT TRUCK TIRES
Éric Descarries
[email protected]
Winter Tires
Light Trucks Get New Tires
There was a time when a light truck was…well, a light truck. Indeed, such vehicles were intended for work only and offered little or no comfort. But times have changed…
N
owadays, many—if not most—
light truck tires with the letters LT or
light trucks come straight out of
simply by a different moniker. Note that
the factory with not only luxurious
P series winter tires will do the job for
interiors, but also with state of the art
most small pick-ups, but when loading
safety equipment including traction con-
the truck or installing winter tires on a
trol, ABS, stability control, all-around air
vehicle with OE tires starting with LT, the
bags, back-up cameras, and more.
new specifically designed light truck winter tires will be the perfect replacement.
Yet, though they all come with good sum-
Incidentally, never replace LT tires with
mer tires, there are very few winter tires
P tires or any light vehicle winter tires,
designed for tougher light trucks such
even if the tires fit or if you think you will
as Class 2 and Class 3 vehicles (i.e. Ford
never “overcharge” the truck.
F-250 and F-350, Chevy Silverado and
GMC Sierra Heavy Duty 2500 and 3500
Among the many brands offering “real”
and Dodge Ram Heavy Duty 2500 and
winter tires (with appropriate com-
3500 for instance) that, in many cases,
pounds, casings, and tread design) are
are also used as personal vehicles or
Michelin has a new light truck winter tire
on the market, the LTX Winter.
house trailer tractors. Too many owners
had to settle for A/T or off-road tires
combined to the four-wheel drive system
to make it through winter.
But things have been changing—many
tire manufacturers have been hearing
the plea and are now offering “real” winter tires for such light trucks. Examples
abound for the 2010-2011 season; if
you browse through this month’s Special
Report on winter tires (page 40), you will
notice that many tire manufacturers have
come up with new light truck winter tires.
Continental first introduced a pick-up truck tire last year
within its ExtremeWinterContact line.
20
| Tire News | April 2010 | www.autosphere.ca | LT tires
Tire manufacturers usually identify their
Toyo is another new player in the light truck winter tire
segment with its all-new Open Country WLT-1.
And other
new products
Ultra Grip WRT,
On the other hand, some tire manufactur-
Nokian
with
ers are coming up with new summer tires.
its already well
One of them is Firestone, a subsidiary of
known Hakka LT,
Bridgestone Americas that presented a
a n d Toyo w i t h
new light-truck tire at the latest Chicago
its all-new Open
Auto Show, the Firestone Destination ST.
Country WLT-1.
This light truck tire is for sport trucks and it
comes with a non-directional tread design
Goodyear also introduced a new light truck winter tire for 2010-11,
the Ultra Grip Ice WRT.
Other manu-
built for all seasons and what Firestone
facturers are
considers “spirited handling.” Tuned for
already offering
performance SUVs, crossover SUVs, and
tires of the same
sport pick-ups, the Destination comes
category or will
with H, V, and W speed ratings. Among
be shortly. Note
some of the most popular fitments, there
that LT tires usu-
will be vehicles such
ally come with
as the Jeep Liberty,
eight or ten ply
the
sidewalls for load-
Michelin with its all-new LTX Winter,
ing and include a load range, either C,
Continental with specific sizes of its
D or E. Consequently, they also require
ExtremeWinterContact, General Tire
different tire pressure as indicated some-
with specific LT sizes of its Altimax
where on the truck or in the owner’s
Arctic, Goodyear with its brand new
manual.
Chevrolet
Silverado, and the
Mazda CX-7.
Firestone’s Destination ST is aimed
at performance light trucks.
SPECIAL SECTION – LIGHT TRUCK TIRES
Daniel Lafrance
[email protected]
Michelin’s LTX M/S2
A New Generation of Tires for
Light Trucks and SUVs
Last fall, French tire manufacturer Michelin introduced a new light truck tire for the North
American market, the LTX M/S2. To do so, Michelin invited specialized press to its Proving
Grounds in Laurens, South Carolina. But before active tests at the track, Michelin asked the attending journalists to use the winding roads surrounding the Proving Grounds for a first driving
impression.
even added silica to its (still secret) com-
exceeding at least 20,000 miles
pound recipe.
than those of its competitors for
its LTX M/S2. The tire thus has a 100,000-
Consequently, after many emergency
mile treadwear warranty while the manu-
stops—always in a very safe environment
facturer guaranties a more regular wear
with instructors, helmets and instruments—
thanks to its Max Touch technology.
we obtained very interesting results. Still
Obviously, this was impossible to verify
with the same light trucks, we came to
but, as far as traction on the road is con-
conclusive numbers. For instance, as the
Michelin LTX M/S2 took 146 feet to stop on
cerned, thanks to a slightly rainy fall day,
we were able to test it on the hilly winding
roads.
Evaluating the tire at the Proving Grounds.
wet pavement at 55 mph (88 km/h), brand
tires to their limits on specific parts of
A competition needed 198 feet, while
the Grounds, including heavily watered
brand B required 168 feet to do so.
skid pads and control areas with obstacles and cones. Demanding instructors
Finally, let’s point out that when introdu-
kept pushing us to make the most of the
cing this new tire, Michelin mostly insisted
test. Actually, the exercise got to be even
on three factors that the manufacturer
more interesting when we began driving
considers most important on its light truck
similar vehicles with competitive products.
tires: longer durability, better traction,
Not only was the LTX M/S 2 less prone
and a shorter stopping distance.
to sliding, it did much better than the
competition.
Its most important quality…
Obviously, one of the most important
qualities coming out of such a tire has to
It’s on road conditions such as these that the
Michelin LTX M/S2’s traction is most needed.
The real test
22
be a shorter stopping distance (yet, let’s
still mention that “no matter the quality of
the tires on any vehicle, it’s still the driver
that has to control it,” our instructors kept
Following that short ride, we had a real
repeating). Drivers have to respect the
opportunity to test out the new tire at
distance between vehicles, yet technology
Michelin’s Proving Grounds. Indeed, still
can be of some help in case of emergency.
driving the same pick-up trucks provided
To do so, Michelin included its 3D Active
by the company, we could push the new
Sipes technology in the new LTX M/S2 and
| Tire News | April 2010 | www.autosphere.ca | The Michelin LTX M/S2 was very efficient on wet pavement.
Translated from its original French by Éric Descarries.
M
ichelin advertises a durability
WCTD
2010 Convention
Tim Pawsey
[email protected]
Conventional Wisdom
Western Canada Tire Dealers Rally
to the Cause in Edmonton
When WCTD’s Board of Directors went to work planning its 2010 convention, given the economic times, they knew they had their work cut out for themselves.
S
ince becoming WCTD president
New executive director
last year, Paul Newton (Sastakoon
Newton also introduced Andy Nagy as
Wholesale Tire) has been working
the WCTD’s new executive director and
hard to revitalize the association, survey-
thanked former executive director Don
ing members about the direction they felt
Blythe for (again) putting off his com-
it should take and designing a convention
plete retirement to help organize the
to focus more on day to day issues facing
convention.
dealers.
Highlights of the more streamlined two
day event included a thoroughly comprehensive Safety Panel, introduced by
Fountain Tire Health and Safety director
Janice Robertson, comprised of senior
representatives of various safety agencies
and workers’ compensation boards from
across the western provinces. ‘Building
a Safety Program’ stressed not only the
moral importance of implementing sound
Janice Robertson, Health and Safety Fountain Tire; Gord
Martin, Motor Safety Association, Saskatchewan; Glen
McIntosh, WorkSafe BC; and Jeff Smith, Work Safe Alberta
Len Ritchot (Market Tire, Saskatoon) takes aim during
Suppliers Night games.
policies but also the resulting human and
engaging in sound safety procedures are
fiscal benefits.
considerable. If you are proactive and take
the initiative you can offset the costs down
Says Roberston, who offered pointers on
the road through initiatives such as COR
Moving the annual general meeting to
how to set up an effective program, “It
[Certificate Of Recognition].”
the start of the program not only brought
pays to be proactive. Not only is there a
more relevance to the convention, it also
real return on the investment, the indirect
Also well received, a wide ranging series
meant that—unlike in previous years when
and direct soft and hard costs of not
of three ‘mini’ presentations by Federated
held at the program’s close—every dealer
Insurance explored topics ranging from
delegate attended and was brought up to
Human Resources to Group Life Insurance
date on the business of the association.
and Risk Management and Hazard
Assessment.
period in our economy; I think things went
The strong business agenda continued,
well—the feeling I got is that this was time
with a highly informative Scrap Tire
and money well spent,” says Newton, who
Management panel (see page 28), while
adds that the results of the survey com-
the association saluted three deserving
missioned will be shared with Ontario Tire
pioneers at the annual WCTD Hall of Fame
Awards breakfast on the closing morning
Dealers Association.
Retired WCTD executive director Don Blythe shares a
moment with new executive director Andy Nagy.
24
| Tire News | April 2010 | www.autosphere.ca | (page 26).
Photos: Tim Pawsey
“We’ve just come through a depressed
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WCTD
2010 Convention
Tim Pawsey
[email protected]
An Enduring Contribution
WCTD Hall of Fame Awards
WCTD honours three pioneers at the Bridgestone-sponsored Hall of Fame Awards.
Moe Tresoor
One time WCTD president Moe Tresoor
was recognized for his contribution to the
industry and the association on whose
board he served for 16 years. He was
also the first Canadian to be elected to
the board of the Tire Retread Information
Bureau and served on the board of the
NTDRA in 1986 and 1987.
Winnipeg-born Tresoor went to work for
Dominion Rubber (now part of Michelin)
as office boy in 1949, quickly ascending
come Saskatoon store manager.
Bridgestone’s Jim Schmidt (right) congratulates Hall of Fame inductees Garry Dickinson, Bernice Herperger
(on behalf of her late husband Stan), and Moe Tresoor.
several years before it became the hub it is
born salesman, who even as a small child
Tresoor bought a Shell station before
today. During the recession of 1981, D&D
used to sing You Are My Sunshine for nick-
working with Quaker State Motor Oil,
went into soft receivership and in his words,
els and dimes. During his ten years with
eventually returning to tires with Kelly
“when the dust settled, Bridgestone had
BFG, he won numerous trophies, and was
Springfield. Following positions with York
become the company’s banker.”
the first BFG sales person to sell over a $1
and Penner Tire, he and a partner pur-
million in one month.
chased Penner’s Steinbach, MB Bandag
D&D was purchased by Kal Tire in 1983,
plant and established Expertire, in 1976.
after which Dickinson headed in a new dir-
Herperger went on to purchase Wholesale
Following the sale of the company in
ection as the owner of a still-thriving Duty
Tire, Regina, a company that he grew
1990, Tresoor tried unsuccessfully to
Free store.
into a formidable operation that became
retire on numerous occasions but found
In paying homage to his one time competi-
Saskatchewan and Manitoba. When
He continues to serve on the board of Tire
tor and long time friend, Dale Parsons of Kal
Herperger sold to OK Tire in 1997, he
Stewardship Manitoba—although admits
Tire said Garry’s mission was “to make not
agreed to stay on and manage for six
he might be ready to retire (again) “in the
only his own business successful but make
months—and stayed for six years.
not too distant future.”
our industry a better more profitable, and
Garry Dickinson
safe place to work.” Parsons said Dickinson
Sadly, Stan Herperger’s life was cut short
was instrumental in growing the WCTD to
by asbestos cancer in February 2007.
Victoria born Garry Dickinson went right
the size it is today, and congratulated him
from high school to work for his father at
on being “a true pioneer in this industry.”
D&D Tire, which later was reorganized as
26
the foundation for OK Tires’ push into
it hard to leave the industry he still loves.
In saluting him, former OK Tire president
Don Blythe said: “There will never be
a Vancouver based company. Dickinson
Stan Herperger
was an early pioneer in tire leasing, build-
The late Stan Herperger, who was born
beat, kind and generous person you will
ing up a substantial new tire and Bandag
north of Stockholm, Saskatchewan, didn’t
ever meet. On top off all those qualities
business to serve the needs of trucking
become involved in the tire industry until
Stan was an astute businessman. He
giant Arrow Transfer. In a visionary move,
he was hired by BFGoodrich in his mid-
changed the face of the tire industry in
he relocated the company to Coquitlam,
30s. Herperger, as it turned out, was a
Saskatchewan...”
| Tire News | April 2010 | www.autosphere.ca | another Stan Herperger! The most up
Photos: Tim Pawsey
the corporate ladder to eventually be-
WCTD
2010 Convention
Tim Pawsey
[email protected]
Tipping Point?
Alberta’s Predicament Revealed at
WCTD Tire Stewardship Seminar
Western provinces have been highly successful in establishing comprehensive tire recycling programs, all self sustaining—with only one exception
in 1999, which ensures a comprehensive
is subject more to weathering than tread
fire in Hagersville, Ontario engulfed
sharing of expertise and resources be-
wear). General across the board rate fee
an estimated 14 million tires for 17
tween agencies across the country.
increased approximately 100% (including
a raise of from $15 to $30 on 25-inch rim
days—and galvanized governments at all
levels into addressing the previously ig-
However, even though numerous simi-
nored problem of abandoned scrap tires.
larities do exist across provincial juris-
and over farm tires).
particularly when it comes to establishing
Saskatchewan Scrap Tire
Corporation
processing fees for larger tires, such as
Speaking on behalf of Saskatchewan Scrap
Medium Truck, farm, and OTR sizes.
Tire Corporation’s Theresa McQuoid,
dictions, inconsistencies also remain—
Tire Stewardship Manitoba
Randy Johannsen detailed successes in
a program that now encompasses 1,200
Mike Solkolski of Tire Stewardship
retailers, served by four tire collection
Manitoba reported that the cost of re-
companies, supplying tires to two proces-
cycling has doubled since the original
sors. Since the agency’s inception, scrap
program’s inception, requiring the board
tire material has been removed from over
to reluctantly raise Eco fees charged as of
300 historical sites and approximately
January 1, 2010.
300 km of rubberized asphalt have been
laid down. Current SSTC fees range from
Rus Matichuk of Cutting Edge Tire Recycling expresses
concerns over the future of OTR processing in Alberta as
concerned dealers look on.
“The new fees more accurately reflect true
$4 for passenger and light truck tires to
costs and help eliminate cross-subsidiza-
$75 for 39 ins. OTR sizes.
Progress made over the last two dec-
tion [between tire sizes],” says Solkolski,
ades was apparent during a Provincial
who also presented results of a survey
However, fees will continue to be evaluated
Tire Recycling panel, chaired by Tire
that revealed the average life of a rear
and raised if necessary, reports McQuoid,
Stewardship BC operations manager
agricultural tire to be 17.4 years (al-
who also notes strong public and media
Rosemary Sutton. Industry-run agencies
though the end of a farm tire’s useful life
support for the agency’s activities.
across the region delivered compelling
presentations detailing the success at all
levels, underscored by a Canadian diver-
!"#$%&'()*+,-)#&*./0/1./00
!"#$%&'()*+,-)#&*./0/1./00
sion rate of 93%, a ratio “almost unheard
./0"$1"&'(")*+,-$
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of,” said Sutton.
0/2
A common theme was one of a maturing of programs in all provinces. Much of
the credit can be traced to the formation
of CATRA (Canadian Association of Tire
32
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32
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| Tire News | April 2010 | www.autosphere.ca | CC2
./0"$1"&'(")*+,-$
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Recycling Agencies), an alliance formed
28
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Photos: Tim Pawsey
I
t’s exactly 20 years since a giant
Recycling by province
Alberta Recycling
Management Authority
On a contrasting note, Brad Schultz of the
Alberta Recycling Management Authority
reported the original recycling fee of $4
per tire, regardless of size, remains unchanged since the original program’s
inception in 1992. Currently, revenue
from passenger and light truck tire fees
is heavily subsidizing medium truck tires,
and there is no fee charged for OTR and
“We know there is a need for a tiered system—we need your
support to end this cross subsidization,” says Brad Schultz of
the Alberta Recycling Management Authority.
Tire Stewardship BC
farm tires.
ARMA’s fees are set by the government.
However, while various studies and costs
have been established and consumer poll-
Tire Stewardship BC Executive Director
ing indicates strong support for change,
Mike Hennessy reported that the “industry
“there is no political appetite” to levy a
is behind the wheel” of a program based
varied scale of charges as in other prov-
on the principal that “everyone pays their
inces, says Schultz, who advised the fund-
fair share.” As a result, TSBC is “stable and
ing no longer exists to process OTR tires.
sustainable,” he says. However, Eco fees
are not collected on vehicles imported
“We still feel positive but we need in-
from the U.S., an estimated loss in rev-
dustry’s help to lobby our politicians to
enue to Canadian agencies of $6,631,176
remedy the cross subsidization that’s
(2008). However, said Hennessy, BC will
taking place (especially with OTR), as has
start to collect fees on these tires as of
been addressed in other provinces,” said
May 1, 2010.
Schultz.
Tire Stewardship Manitoba
• Fees set based on actual cost of recycling
different tire types
• Strong potential for Tire Derived Fuel
• Significant expansion of processor operations
• Rubberized asphalt used to re-pave 800 metres
of Portage Avenue
• Plans for more drop off points
Saskatchewan Scrap Tire Corporation
• Non profit, non-government agency
• Serves 1,200 retailers
• Total of 704,847 tires removed from retail
locations in 2009:
- 600,338 passenger / light truck
- 92,546 medium truck
- 10,707 AGR
- 1,256 OTR
• Fees constantly under review
Tire Stewardship BC
• Original program established 1990; first program
in North America
• Wholly industry run agency
• Sets own fees: receives 100% of revenue
• All stockpiles eliminated
• Program fully monitored by Check,
Chase & Collect system
• Needs to collaborate with other provinces on OTR
• Stable and sustainable
Alberta Recycling Management Authority
• Fee of $4 regardless of tire size unchanged
• 90% of revenue comes from passenger tires
• Medium truck accounts for 50% of
expenses (OTR = 6%)
• Provincial government sets fees
• Albertans polled, receptive to increases
• Program unsustainable without
increased revenues
“Focus on your business,
...not your insurance”
PBL Insurance Limited and The Economical Insurance Group® (TEIG®) have custom-built a
comprehensive insurance package to cover the special needs of Tire Dealers.
Program Highlights
“At PBL, Garage Operations happen to be our specialty! PBL Insurance Limited and TEIG are well known across
Ontario for their comprehensive and competitive garage insurance programs. The brokers at PBL are not
generalists—we specialize in the garage business. As brokers, we know the tire business and how to protect it.
“We recognize that securing your investment properly is important to you. We also recognize that controlling your
costs is important, too. We work closely with you to balance coverage and cost realizing that both are critical to you.
“We are easy to deal with and we make it a point to deal in person. Give us a try—we can properly cover your
garage operations, your property, automobiles, pollution risks, business interruptions, employee tools, and more.
“You’ll like the way we personally work with you.”
Doug Searle
Director of Business Development
PBL Insurance Limited
1-888-254-8294
PBL Insurance Limited
www.pblinsurance.com
Member of the OTDA
François Charron
[email protected]
Safety in the Workplace and Quality of Repairs
You Have a Legal Responsibility
Did you know that if one of your employees is assigned a task for which he isn’t trained, or if
he isn’t aware of the health and safety program in place at your facility, you or your representatives could be charged with criminal negligence?
T
he same could be true for a car
accident involving bodily injuries
or death that is found to have been
caused by a previous repair done in a
rough-and-ready fashion, or without respecting the manufacturer’s procedures
and standards.
Bill C-45
Bill C-45, enacted as a law in 2004,
modifies the Criminal Code to allow for
a business to be prosecuted for criminal
negligence towards its employees (Article
217.1) or its clients (Article 219).
Employer’s obligation
Quality of repairs
Question:
You must also communicate your occu-
For its part, article 219 of the Criminal
How does this affect your business?
pational health and safety plan to your
Code stipulates that, “…Everyone is crimi-
employees and train them on any poten-
nally negligent who, in doing anything, or
Answer:
tial hazards and on the use of protective
in omitting to do anything that it is his duty
First, it does affect your responsibility as
equipment. In the event you are not ta-
to do, shows wanton or reckless disregard
an employer with respect to occupatio-
king these measures, and an accident
for the lives or safety of other persons.”
nal health and safety. Second, it affects
occurs in your repair shop causing bodily
your responsibility as a service provider.
injuries and even death, you could be
Needless to say that you have the obli-
facing sanctions and heavy fines. In other
gation, as a shop owner, to ensure that
words, if the Workers Compensation
every car repaired in your facility is being
Article 217.1 of the Criminal Code states
Centre concludes that there was negli-
repaired in accordance with the stan-
that you have the responsibility, as an
gence following a serious injury or the
dards and requirements of the car manu-
employer, to ensure that your workplace
death of one of your employees while
facturer. It is fairly simple to avoid finding
does not represent, for your employees
working in your workplace, a police inves-
yourself in such a situation: first, contact
and the general public, any hazards of
tigation will follow, which could lead to
the Workers Compensation Centre to ob-
bodily injuries or even death; it also
charges of criminal negligence*.
tain information about the measures you
Criminal negligence
need to take in order to ensure the safety
states that you have the obligation to
take “the necessary measures” to ensure
In addition, criminal responsibility can
and security of your employees; second,
their safety. You are bound to know your
now be attributed to the owners, ma-
make sure all your employees know and
obligations under the laws and standards
nagers, employees, representatives, or
apply the standard repair procedures
relating to occupational health and sa-
sub-contractors of a business, depending
of the car manufacturer. You are in the
fety, the potential hazards in your repair
on the nature of the offence, as opposed
driver’s seat…
shop, and the measures undertaken to
to the “legal entity” as was the case in
circumscribe or eliminate them.
the past.
* Until now, there have only been three cases leading to accusations.
30
| Tire News | April 2010 | www.autosphere.ca | www.cchst.ca/oshanswers/legisl/billc45.html
SIGNATURE FAMILY
SIGNATURE
SP SPORT SIGNATURE
SIGNATURE CS
Touring
All Season
High Performance
All Season
Crossover Vehicles/SUVs
All Season
Atlas Tire Wholesale Inc. is committed to delivering value to our clients. Our pricing
program on the Dunlop Signature Family delivers a top quality product at a low price.
Sample Sizes
SP Sport Signature
Signature
P215/55R17 93V
P175/65R14 81T
205/50R17 93V XL
185/65R15 88H
225/50R17 94W
195/65R15 91H
225/45R17 94W XL
P185/60R15 84T
235/45R17 97W XL
195/60R15 88H
245/40R17 91W
P195/55R15 84V
225/45R18 95W XL
235/65R16 103T
245/45R18 100W XL
P205/60R16 91H
225/40R18 92W XL
P215/60R16 94V
235/40R18 95W XL
225/60R16 98T
205/55R16 91H
Signature CS
215/70R16 100S
215/55R16 93H
225/70R16 103S
205/50R16 87H
225/65R17 102H
225/60R17 98T
235/65R17 104H
225/55R17 97V
215/50R17 93V
P235/65R18 104T
P235/60R18 102T
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Atlas Tire + DUNLOP = True Value
DUNLOP ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT &
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E-mail us for our toll free numbers.
B2B WEBSITE
www.tiredistribution.com
View inventory / place orders 24/7
Atlas Tire Wholesale Inc.
YOUR SOURCE FOR DUNLOP TIRES
20 Years of Service to the Trade
WEST
6290 SHAWSON DRIVE
MISSISSAUGA, ON L5T 1H5
TEL (905) 670-9791
FAX (905) 670-0581
EAST
140 McLEVIN AVE., # 6 & 7
SCARBOROUGH, ON M1B 3V1
TEL (416) 292-8202
FAX (416) 292-8177
TOLL FREE NUMBERS AVAILABLE
[email protected]
www.tiredistribution.com
Jack Kazmierski
[email protected]
Leader Profile
Focus on Quality
Like his employer, Oliver Winschiers is keenly focused on delivering top quality.
W
h i l e s o m e p e o p l e s hy away
from pressure and would rather
pursue a career where prob-
lem solving is not on the daily menu,
Oliver Winschiers, general manager of
Continental Tire Canada, loves a good
challenge.
Winschiers began his career in the auto
industry in 1998 with Siemens, and when
Continental acquired Siemens VDO in
2007, Winschiers became a key contributor to the ongoing success of his new
employer.
Oliver Winschiers believes educating the client is the key to success.
Driven to be the best, Winschiers thrives
under pressure. “What fascinates me
Currently, Continental employs over
want to compete against these compan-
about the auto industry is that you al-
134,000 people in 46 countries and
ies. That’s not the segment we want to
ways have to be the best in technology,
boasts sales in excess of $31 billion.
be in.”
reliability and safety, but under extreme-
Winschiers has been a part of this multi-
ly competitive circumstances, and that’s
national industry leader on both sides of
Instead of giving in to price pressures,
very challenging,” he admits.
the Atlantic, working in Europe, USA, and
Winschiers believes educating the client
as of July, 2009 here in Canada.
is the key to success. “The key is to com-
Keenly focused on quality, Winschiers
municate value to the consumer,” he says.
feels at home as part of the Continental
Price wars
team. “Being a German company,” he
The current business environment,
or that of their children in order to save
points out, “Continental is always very
Winschiers admits, is tough. While raw
$50 or $100 on a set of tires, and they
strict in terms of quality requirements,
material prices have risen, consumers’
need to understand that a quality tire will
and the company has a long proven
willingness to spend money on new tires
cost more because of the research and
history.”
hasn’t. At first glance, cutting costs in
development that has gone into making it.
order to compete and increase sales might
Value is not about purchasing the cheap-
seem like a good idea, but Winschiers
est tire—it’s about the development and
While most North Americans think of
doesn’t see it as a viable, or advisable,
technology that goes into the tire to keep
Continental as a tire company, in reality,
solution.
the customer safe.”
technologies, including head-up displays,
“If you start a price battle, trying to offer a
Motivated by challenging situations, and
ABS and ESC modules, TPMS, and much
cheaper and cheaper tire you have to cut
driven to excel and succeed, Winschiers
more. “The company was founded in
costs in terms of R&D, raw materials, and
feels right at home as part of the
1871,” Winschiers adds, “and we have a
production. Once you do that, you might
Continental family—an organization that
strong history developing world-class prod-
compromise the quality of the product,”
perfectly suits his style and echoes his pri-
ucts. Look under the hood of almost any
he says. “And that’s not something we
orities. “Performance is our passion, and
vehicle and you will find Continental prod-
want to do. You will always find someone
it’s my passion too,” he says. “I am goal-
ucts. We make a lot more than just tires.”
who can make a tire for less, but we don’t
oriented and so is Continental.”
Beyond tires
“They don’t want to jeopardize their life
they make and market many automotive
32
| Tire News | April 2010 | www.autosphere.ca | Shirley Brown
[email protected]
www.distributionpdg.ca
Scrap Tire Recycling
Magnum Canada
Magnum Recycling USA, a subsidiary of Magnum D’Or
Resources, is a leader in green rubber and scrap tire recycling,
producing next generation rubber recycling solutions for custom compounds, retread compounds, and much more. Best of
all, it has a large facility right here in Canada!
M
agnum’s Canadian facility is The
applications call for finer mesh material,
Magog, located in Quebec’s Estrie
so most ambient grinding plants have a
region and, as it turns out, this
number of consecutive grinding steps.
is the perfect place because it’s situated
on the Canadian-U.S. border. Magnum’s
As a company, Magnum also has exclusiv-
proprietary “green” technology provides
ity to the patent relating to the re-compos-
a unique solution to the challenges of
ition of rubber powder plus global rights
stockpiles of scrap tires and rubber scrap.
for processing rubber into a powder with
The company has been granted exclusivity
a particulate size less than 50 microns, as
for North America and future global rights
well as a new liquefaction process. These
to an array of next generation cost saving
patented processes allow Magnum to pro-
custom compounds and processes tar-
duce high quality materials in industrial
geted at a wide spectrum of applications.
quantities.
Ambient process
Recycling solutions
We looked at how Magnum processes
Joe Glusic, Magnum’s chairman says,
these scrap tires into chips and granules
“Magnum has positioned itself in the
for use in a variety of applications. The
global arena by locating a facility in
process is called ambient, meaning all
Malaysia. This puts us in prime position to
size reduction takes place at/near ambi-
be the first public company to operate and
ent temperatures—no cooling is applied
produce turnkey rubber recycling solu-
to make the rubber brittle. Before that
tions, and maybe actually revolutionize
happens, the tires are first processed into
the way rubber is recycled and processed
50-mm chips in a preliminary shredder.
worldwide.
Italy
n
i
e
d
a
M
lity!
a
u
q
f
o
Synonym
ted!
n
a
w
s
r
to
Distribu
Then the chips enter a granulator and
are reduced to 10-mm while taking out
“To stay ahead of the competition is to be
most of the steel and fibre at the same
the competition. In Quebec we have the
time. After the granules emerge, the rest
best R&D programs and incentives in North
of the steel is removed magnetically while
America. That’s why you see a lot of phar-
the fibre is removed through a combina-
maceutical companies establishing their
tion of shaking screens and wind sifters.
activities in the eastern townships.”
Magnum tells us that there is demand
for the 10-mm rubber granules but most
www.magnumresources.net/canada
1-888-327-0222
Shirley Brown
[email protected]
More Than Tires
Maintenance Opportunities
You own a tire shop… you sell and install tires. Does that mean you don’t provide any other
automotive service at your shop? If not, why not?
T
he vehicle is up on your hoist and
motorists are keeping their current vehicle
you’re changing the tires. Have you
longer. That means it needs service on
noticed anything else that needs
a routine basis. Your shop could provide
to be done on that particular vehicle? Is
some of that service and add to your bot-
there anything else that you can do to
tom line.
make a sale or to make your customer
happier with your services? Maybe it’s
Other items to check
time you looked at some other possible
If you have a qualified technician or two,
opportunities.
this is where they get some business
other than tires for you. The tech could be
You might like to get into other options in
checking the brakes—pads and rotors—
your shop along with tires. You might want
for wear as well as checking out the brake
to take a look at the last time the oil was
fluid line. This is a big maintenance item
changed in the vehicle. The old dirty oil
and a big safety feature as well. This
could be draining while you’re changing tires.
service alone could prevent a serious ac-
When the vehicle comes down, put the new
cident and is one your customer will cer-
oil in and the customer is good to go—and
tainly thank you for.
you’ve made another sale! You might also
like to make the customer even more aware
The exhaust system is another main
of your service by washing the car before it
safety feature—a leaking exhaust is bad
leaves the shop, which is always a nice touch.
for the vehicle’s occupants as well as
Smaller services could also be put into place,
emitting noxious fumes into the atmos-
such as topping up the windshield washer
phere. The technician should be looking
fluid and checking the antifreeze. As we said,
at this item and making recommenda-
small items but they can add up.
tions for its repair. Steering and suspen-
Technical services
You may or may not have a qualified
technician in your employ. If you do, there
34
sion are other systems to check out for
wear and tear, all while the vehicle is on
the hoist.
about a captive audience and a way to get
new customers!
are many other services he could perform
Storing tires
while the vehicle is in your shop for new
It’s also possible that you have the room
There are many other possibilities you
tires or the seasonal change of tires.
to store your customers’ tires from one
can add to your list of services, so instead
Maybe it’s time to decide whether or not
season to the other. That could be a big
of just tires, you could be adding main-
you want some more maintenance oppor-
service… not many people have room to
tenance items for your customers’ well
tunities on your customers’ vehicles.
store their seasonal tires where they live.
being. Once the word gets around that
One tire dealer that we know of and have
you’re “more than just tires,” you could be
Because of the way the economy has been
written about also stores tires for auto-
gaining more repeat customers and likely
shaking out over the last year, many, many
mobile dealers and their customers. Talk
some new ones.
| Tire News | April 2010 | www.autosphere.ca | P ZERO
P ZERO ASYM.
ROSSO
DIR.
P ZERO
NERO M+S
P ZERO
NERO ALL-SEASON
P6
ALL-SEASON
P4
ALL-SEASON
NEW ECO TIRE
SCORPION ZERO
ASSIMMETRICO
Z
SCORPION
ZERO
ZZ
SCORPION
STR
SCORPION
ATR
SCORPION
VERDE
Atlas Tire Wholesale Inc.
YOUR SOURCE FOR PIRELLI TIRES
20 Years of Service to the Trade
WEST
6290 SHAWSON DRIVE, MISSISSAUGA, ON L5T 1H5
TEL. (905) 670-9791 FAX. (905) 670-0581
EAST
140 McLEVIN AVE., # 6 & 7, SCARBOROUGH, ON M1B 3V1
TEL. (416) 292-8202 FAX. (416) 292-8177
TOLL FREE NUMBERS AVAILABLE
[email protected]
www.tiredistribution.com
Dave Redinger is a mechanic with over 45 years experience. He owns and
operates his own shop in the Toronto area. Dave hosts “Dave’s Corner Garage”
seen on national television—Sun TV on Sunday mornings. Dave’s Corner
Garage deals with automotive issues.
Dave Redinger
[email protected]
Garage Business
Up in Smoke
If rumours are right and the Drive Clean program is going to
change, then perhaps it will change for the better.
T
here are rumours that the Drive Clean pro-
re-think the program. Was Drive Clean necessary?
gram (Ontario’s emission testing program)
Not really. As older vehicles went out of service,
will be undergoing major changes in the com-
and technologies improved, the fleet basically
ing years. The changes include phasing out of the
mandatory dynamometer test and relying on the
cleaned itself up.
data supplied by the onboard data stream. Here
Focus on safety
we go again!
I always felt this program hurt the financiallychallenged owners who drove these older vehicles.
Think back for a moment. Do you remember how
Drive Clean is a cash grab. However, while the
we were all going to get rich with all the new busi-
government focuses solely on emissions, a serious
ness emission testing work was going to bring in?
concern remains unchallenged—safety.
How about the close to $100,000 most shops
invested in this equipment? So is all this stuff now
In Ontario, a vehicle is only inspected if and when it
worthless? Well the hard truth is that we, as an
changes hands. In effect you can drive oblivious of
industry, were duped.
the mechanical condition of your car and not have
No return on investment
to worry about complying with safety standards.
Reality bites! Take into account the 100k invest-
Annual testing is the norm in Great Britain. Called
ment, the loss of a service bay, the cost of training
the MoT (shorthand for Ministry of Transport),
and keeping an emissions tech, and it all adds
vehicles must meet a minimum safety standard in
up to a major disappointment. We never saw the
order to be licensed for the road.
promised return on investment.
I’m not suggesting that we introduce annual test-
Over 90% of
tested vehicles
are passing,
and the level of
On a personal note, when approached with this
ing and scrap the Drive Clean program. What I’m
opportunity, our shop declined the offer because,
suggesting is we marry the two. Have a mandatory
quite frankly, we didn’t see how it would benefit
minimum mechanical inspection performed when a
our business. The whole thing didn’t make sense,
vehicle is emission tested. Just think of the bene-
so we opted out.
fits to public safety and the industry.
However, some shops did step up. They were con-
Maybe it’s time for us to tackle the safety stan-
vinced that they would get loads of emission work
dards issue. We have invested a lot of time and
from this program. In the beginning, that was true.
energy in emissions testing, so why not put forth
But as time passed and the old dirty cars were
the same effort to launch a vehicle safety program?
emissions-related
taken out of service, that “extra” work quickly dried
up. Soon over 90% of tested vehicles were passing,
The expertise is already out there. We have tens
work has dropped
and the level of emissions-related work dropped
of thousands of professionals in the Canadian
steadily.
aftermarket that can do the work, and the need for
steadily.
36
such a program is clear. The only think missing is
The number of vehicles that pass emissions testing
the political will to make it happen. It’s up to our
continues to rise, prompting the government to
legislators to make a move.
| Tire News | April 2010 | www.autosphere.ca | Engineered
for the real world.
OK Tire Bids Farewell to Nelson Gray
Senior Vice-president
Retiring After
46 Years
Jil McIntosh
[email protected]
After 46 years with OK Tire, Nelson
Gray has finally decided to take some
time for himself. The Vancouver-based
senior vice-president is retiring from
the company.
“
I
started in January of 1964, back when
it was called O.K. Rubber Welders,”
Gray says. “Originally I was articling to
be a chartered accountant, but I didn’t like
auditing. One day I was reading the newspaper and there was an ad for an accounting clerk. I replied for the job and got it.
It was in the office of the gentleman that
started OK Tire in Canada, Art Poyntz.
“He had a retread plant and a couple of
stores of his own, and there were a few
franchises at that time, but not many. We
were already delivering retreads to the
stores and other customers, and I convinced him to start a wholesale business.
From that point on, I just grew that side
of the businesses, and we grew his retail
observation he’s made over the 35 years
Real working knowledge
store presence up to the point where he
he’s known him. “What you see is what
Don Blythe, retired president of OK Tire,
had 13 or 14 of its own retail stores.”
you get. If you’re straight with him, he’s
agrees. “What’s most important with
straight with you, which is a very easy
Nelson is his negotiating skills with the
way to do business. He brought a lot of
suppliers. He has a real working know-
Gray worked his way up as well, and at
professionalism and respectability over
ledge of the tires, and what’s required
one point was named company president.
the years. With Nelson, we always have a
by the stores to fill the needs of the cus-
“I acted as president for a year and a bit
good relationship with our suppliers, and
tomers. He’s been the backbone of the
until they hired (Greg) Sims,” Gray says.
that’s his forte.”
company.”
was an operational person, not a vision-
Baker credits Gray with several major
Gray plans to spend some time travelling,
ary person like Mr. Sims is. He has a lot
deals, including one that brought Kumho
first to Hawaii and then to Europe, but
of marketing background and has done a
to Canada. “Nelson started that right from
he also wants to keep busy. “I’m search-
tremendous job in getting OK Tire more
square one,” Baker says. “In those days, it
ing for a volunteer job,” he says. “I’d love
front and centre in the retail market.”
was a lot different dealing with offshore
to get involved with the Cancer Society,
companies. Another time, the company
Red Cross or Special Olympics—not a
ran into trouble about 25 years ago, and
job where I have to punch the clock, but
Gord Baker, dealer development manager
we were in tough times. Nelson put a plan
where I can contribute. I’m not one for not
for British Columbia, agrees that Gray’s
together and the banks bought it, and
working.”
strength is that he’s a “numbers guy”—an
we’ve never looked back.”
Working his way up
“I was never comfortable with that job. I
By the numbers
38
| Tire News | April 2010 | www.autosphere.ca | Congratulations, Nelson Gray,
on your retirement!
From all your friends
at Kumho Tires.
09BFS063 TireNews-8.125x5.125
1/27/09
3:48 PM
Page 1
Congratulations
Nelson
for your many years of support,
from your friends at Bridgestone Canada Inc.
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Éric Descarries [email protected]
2010-2011 Winter Tires
with the collaboration of Nathalie Plouffe
Believe it or not, it’s already time to talk about winter tires for the upcoming season. We, at Tire News,
obviously know that it’s not even summer yet—in fact, spring has barely begun! But, as you know, “tire bookings” are just around the corner…
For most of Canada, winter 2009-2010 wasn’t as bad as the two previous ones. Granted, some parts
of the country went through a “snow hell,” but the better part had a very mild winter. However… who knows what Mother Nature has in store for us next year?
Speed ratingSpeed in km/h
Unfortunately, consumers can be as unpredictable as Mother Nature herself.
160
Q
170
Some might back off, thinking that next winter will be as mild as this one.
R
180
Thankfully, there are others, safety conscientious people, who will look for the
S
190
best products tire manufacturers have to offer.
T
200
But, because of Mother Nature’s shifty ways, being well prepared is never a bad
decision. Consequently, here is a rundown on what most major manufacturers
have to offer for the upcoming cold season. You can tell your customers that you
are ready!
U
H
V
W
BFGoodrich
Bridgestone
and slush. The
American brand BFGoodrich—a member of
Bridgestone’s star tire, the now legendary
WS - 70 w i l l b e
the Michelin family—is back in 2010-2011
Blizzak, has climbed another notch to be-
available in 35 T
with a very popular product, the Winter
come the WS-70. It now includes a proprie-
speed rated 15-
Slalom, now with the KSI (Key Snow & Ice)
tary NanoPro-Tech rubber compound for
to 18-inch sizes in
moniker. BFG offers a large array of pro-
snow and ice, improved water drainage with
the 70 to 45 as-
ducts at a very reasonable price in 36 sizes.
wider air bubble channels compared to the
pect ratios in July.
It now features the ETEC System (Equal
WS-60, new 3D sipes for improved ice and
Please note that
Tension Containment), which will assure a
snow performance with improved block stif-
the WS-60 will still
maximum contact of its footprint on the
fness, and four main grooves for drainage
remain available in 19
210
240
270
Blizzak LM-60
popular sizes.
ground, at no matter what speed. This tire is
Blizzak WS-70
available for 14- to 17-inch wheels in the 75
Bridgestone will also offer the Blizzak DM-V1
to 50 series with an S speed rating.
winter tire for light trucks and SUVs in 35
sizes for 15- to 22-inch wheels, all with an
R speed rating and Multi-cell and NanoPro
Tech rubber technologies. Bridgestone is
also bringing back the Blizzak LM-60 performance tire for sporty vehicles and it will
be available in 34 sizes for 17- to 20-inch
wheels. All LM-60 tires have an H speed
rating.
Continental
German tire manufacturer Continental is
Winter Slalom KSI
40
| Tire News | April 2010 | www.autosphere.ca | Blizzak DM-V1
now well established in North America. It
also uses some of its well-known technologies for its winter tires, including the all-new
THE RIGHT TIRE
CHANGES EVERYTHING.
Introducing a special winter compound for greater safety. For Light Truck and Full Size Van owners,
including fleet operators, MICHELIN® LTXTM WINTER tire offers the familiar benefits of the LTXTM, yet it’s
tailored to the demands of winter. And that means that this commercial Light Truck tire provides
excellent traction and grip through snow, ice, slush, dry and wet weather conditions for safe driving
winter after winter. See how the right tire changes everything at michelinman.ca.
Copyright © 2010 Michelin North America, Inc. All rights reserved. The "Michelin Man" is a registered trademark licensed by Michelin North America, Inc.
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2010-2011 Winter Tires
Dunlop
Weather-Master S/T2
ExtremeWinterContact
holes and the stud size is moulded into the
sidewall for easy reference.
ExtremeWinterContact.
Graspic DS-3
This high performance tire is available in
The Weather-Master WSC is a completely
more than 40 sizes for just about every light
new Cooper winter tire with directional
This is the Dunlop Graspic DS-3’s second
vehicle on the market for wheels from 13 to
design and high silica tread compound; it is
season. This popular tire features a pre-
17 inches, including light trucks in the 2500
studdable. The tire was developed for SUVs,
mium silica-based glass fibre tread that
category. Speed ratings include Q and T.
CUVs, and light pick-up trucks but it still fits
helps the tread remain soft at lower tempe-
many passenger car applications. Micro-
ratures and Miura-shaped siping (tri-dimen-
In addition, Continental is now offering
gauge sipes offer better biting edges for
sional) that enhance tread block stiffness
a new specific tire within its large array
traction in the snow; as for ice, there are 12
to help better steering feel and even tread
of tires, the ContiWinterContact TS830P,
rows of studs for 132 (optional) studs. There
wear. The Dunlop Graspic DS-3 is available
which features control
are also eight half-worn indicators. This
in 35 sizes for 13- to 18-
under extreme bra-
new Cooper product will be offered in ten T
inch wheels
king manoeuvres. It
speed rated sizes for 16- to 18-inch wheels.
is recognizable by its
Finally, the well-known Discoverer M+S
Japanese tire
in the tread pattern
with its patented “snow groove” design tech-
manufacturer
centre, combined
nology with biting edges for excellent snow
Falken Tires took
with a high num-
and ice traction will be back. The Discoverer
the world by sur-
ber of sipes. The
M+S is being offered in 14 to 20-inch SUV
prise last year
TS830P is offered
sizes and 15- to 18-inch truck sizes.
by introducing
in 15 sizes for 16with H and V speed
ratings in the 55 to 45
Eurowinter HS439
its first ever winter
and 17-inch wheels
ContiWinterContact
TS830P
Falken
high block rigidity
tire, the Eurowinter
Discoverer M+S
ratios.
HS439. Mostly specialized in making custom wheels, Falken has been pretty busy
developing its own line of passenger tires.
The Eurowinter HS439 is a directional tire
Cooper
with large grooves in its silica compound
American tire manufacturer Cooper is back
treadwear. Available in close to 40 sizes,
in 2010-2011 with three major products:
the Eurowinter is offered for 13- to 19-inch
the Weather-Master S/T , the Weather-
wheels.
2
Master WSC, and the Discoverer M+S. The
Weather-Master S/T2 is Cooper’s premium
In addition, Falken recently introduced
studdable winter passenger tire available
a specific tire for light trucks and SUVs,
in an extensive size coverage in a broad
the WildPeak A/T,
assortment of 80 to 45 series. The 80,
an all-season, all-
75, and 70 are S speed rated, while the
purpose tire with
65 to 45 series are T speed rated. The
a symmetric five-
Weather-Master S/T has new stud pinholes
rib pattern and
2
rigid block tread
for better retention. There are even more
Weather-Master WSC
42
| Tire News | April 2010 | www.autosphere.ca | WildPeak A/T
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2010-2011 Winter Tires
i*Pike Rw11
design. Though intended for off-road use, it
Ultra Grip Ice WRT, which is aimed at light
a stone ejection
can also be suggested to light truck owners
trucks and SUVs including 250-2500 series
design. In their
including LT metric sizes with choices of 15-
pick-ups. It will be available in 16 popular
P-Metric form,
to 20-inch wheel diameters.
sizes for 16- to 18-inch wheels, including six
they are available
LT sizes with E load range indexes.
for 16- to 20-inch
General Tire
Since the introduction of its Altimax Arctic
wheels in the 70 to
Hankook
55 series, all with a T
speed rating, while the
line of tires, General Tire has created a
Korean tire manufac-
unique place in the winter tire segment for
turer Hankook has
itself. Last year, General Tire, a subsidiary
long been reco-
15- to 20-inch sizes in the 85 to 65 aspect
of Continental Tire, introduced many more
gnized for its
ratios with the first two sizes in the C load
sizes in its catalogue. Using a unique Quad-
great winter
tech technology, this winter tire assures
tires. Among its
great handling and traction on snow and
star products
Infinity
ice covered surfaces. The Altimax Arctic
are the Icebear
Infinity Tyres is new to our market. This
has directional pattern with centre sta-
W300, the stud-
company belongs to the Al Dobowi Group
bility rib and all-weather natural rubber
dable Winter
in Dubai and has its tires made by Shandon
and silica tread compound.
LT-Metric series include
index while the rest have an E load index.
i*Pike, and the
Linglong in China. It offers many types of
truck oriented
tires including passenger, light truck, bus
available in more than
i*Pike Rw11. The
and truck, OTR, agricultural, and industrial
50 sizes for 13- to 17-
W300 is a studless win-
tires including solid tires. Its newest winter
inch wheels including
ter high performance tire with asymmetrical
tire is the INF-049 Winter, a product that
quite a few LT light
pattern design with multiple thin sipes and
already has good reviews in Europe. This
truck sizes. All have a
outer longitudinal rib blocks for better
year, it is available in 26 sizes with S, T, and
Q speed rating.
breaking and cornering. It will be available
H speed ratings to fit a wide array of popu-
in some 55 sizes for 15- to 18-inch wheels
lar cars. The INF-049 has an asymmetric
in the 65 to 35 aspect ratios with H, T,
design and, according to the manufacturer,
and V speed ratings. The Winter i*Pike is
it is intended to offer excellent traction in
Hankook’s studdable winter performance
all weather conditions while still running
tire and it is recognizable by its V-shaped
smooth and quiet. All INF-049s contain
tread design. Offered in S and T speed
silica based tread compound for what the
ratings, this tire is available in 56 sizes for
manufacturer calls IGP, Infinite Gripping
13- to 18-inch wheels.
Performance. It is offered at an affordable
The Altimax Arctic is
Altimax Arctic
Goodyear
Ultra Grip Ice WRT
Icebear W300
price.
Finally, Hankook’s i*Pike Rw11 has all-new
specifications. Available in Q and T speed
ratings, this tire is specifically designed
for SUVs and light trucks. Larger than the
existing product, the newer Rw11 is offered in 37 sizes out
44
American tire manufacturer, Goodyear is
of which 25 are
well known in the winter tire segment—it
P-Metric and 12
has served North American customers for
are LT-Metric,
decades. One of its best known brands of
which
winter tires still is the Ultra Grip family of
n o n - ex i s t e n t
tires and for the upcoming season, it will
b e fo re. T h ey
offer a new winter tire for light trucks, the
eve n i n c l u d e
| Tire News | April 2010 | www.autosphere.ca | were
Winter i*Pike
INF-049 Winter
Pay less
Get more
Links to distributors
Links to clients
Free technical support
Free updates
No contract
I’ZEN KW23
I’ZEN WIS KW19
Kumho
and ice braking. It will be available in 37
Korean tire manufacturer Kumho has
sizes for 15- to 19-inch wheels.
quite a few new interesting products for
the upcoming winter season. Among them
In addition, Kumho still markets its succes-
is a new I’ZEN KW23 winter tire, which is
sful I’ZEN WIS KW19 winter tire. This tradi-
easily recognizable by its lateral groove
tional passenger car tire features optimized
design for self cleaning and improved
lateral grooves for better self cleaning and
snow driving. Its stud pinholes are ran-
snow driving, and random stud holes for a
domly placed in order to reduce noise.
quieter ride. The I’ZEN KW19 is available in
The I’ZEN KW23 will be available in 36
33 sizes for 14- to 18-inch wheels.
sizes for 13- to 17-inch wheels with Q, T,
H, and V speed ratings. The same tire is
Marangoni
also available as a run-flat in 13 sizes for
Italian manufac-
16- to 18-inch wheels.
turer Marangoni
Discover why it’s
Canada’s repair
and tire shops
# 1 choice!
is bringing back
The other new product by Kumho is the
its
I’ZEN KW27, a SUV tire with an aggressive
again for the
asymmetric pattern. Designed for winter
upcoming cold
use, this tire offers wide lateral grooves for
season. Among
snow traction and multiple sipes for snow
them are consu-
classics
mer favourites,
the 4-ICE and
the Meteo Grip
4-ICE
E+. The 4-ICE features the SPE (Solid
Particules Encapsulation) technology to
help in winter driving. Its blocks include
the dovetail siping system with 25%
more sipes for better performance on
snow and ice. Bloc sequences and stud
positioning are random, for a quieter
ride.
The Meteo Grip E+ also includes the SPE
technology and a directional
To install your free
trial software, call us at:
1-800-268-4044 or
1-450-963-8940
tread design with randomly plaI’ZEN KW27
ced pin holes. The E in its name
W W W . V L C O M . C O M
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2010-2011 Winter Tires
Latitude X-Ice Xi2
Meteo Grip E+
indicates that it is en-
and pumping
at T and H speed
vironmentally-frien-
technology
ratings.
dly and helps reduce
gives it stabi-
fuel consumption.
lity in winter
driving. Add to
that Michelin’s
Comfort Control for
S-600
Nankang also offers
the S-600, a tire with
a more traditional aggres-
sive winter tread pattern but with variable
Michelin
a smooth, quiet, vibration-
pitch tread geometry to keep it quiet. Also
French manufacturer Michelin has always
free ride.
very reasonably priced, this tire is available
in 14- and 15-inch sizes with 70 to 60 as-
been a big player in the winter tire segment,
so it should come as no surprise that it is
Finally, Michelin reports that it now offers a
pect ratios with T and H speed
back for the 2010-2011 with both well-
new winter tire for larger pick-up trucks and
ratings.
known products and many new models.
vans, the Michelin LTX Winter. It includes
Michelin is bringing back its X-Ice Xi2, which
many of Michelin’s advanced technologies
Nexen (Roadstone)
is available in a wide array of sizes for 14- to
but mostly new dynamic 3-D Active Sipes
N exe n i s a n o t h e r
that feature more than 1,000 grip-
South Korean tire
ping edges, a maximized contact
manufacturer that is
patch, and the manufacturer’s
slowly making its way
19-inch wheels in the 65 to 45 aspect
ratios.
MaxTouch Construction.
In addition, Michelin is very
aware that many consumers
onto the Canadian
market. For the up-
are choosing crossover SUVs
Nankang
that can be equipped with
Nankang is a Taiwanese
three products to offer:
bigger wheels and tires. For
tire manufacturer that
the all new Winguard
them and most SUV and light
offers advanced winter
Sport, the Euro win, and the
truck owners, the manufac-
tires to the Canadian
Winguard SUV.
turer is offering more sizes
market for the 2010-
coming winter, it has
Winguard Sport
for its popular Latitude X-Ice
2011 season, the SV-1
The V-speed rated Winguard Sport features
Xi2 truck tire. Now available in
and the SW-5. Showing a
rounded shoulders, fine siping, and multi
sophisticated tread design,
angle tread blocks that allow it to bend a
compound and construction,
high degree of dry surface performance
SV-1
nine sizes (seven of them made
in Michelin’s Nova Scotia plant),
this tire will provide, according to its
they are offered at very reasona-
stability with plenty of traction on snow and
manufacturer, powerful grip under accelera-
ble prices in a wide range of sizes for 14- to
ice. Designed for performance coupes and
tion and braking, and its 3D sipes’ locking
18-inch wheels in the 65 to 40 aspect ratios
sedans, it is available for 16-, 17-, and 18inch wheels in the 55 to 40 aspect ratios.
The Euro win is like the Winguard Sport’s little brother, delivering a mix of performance
KW27
LTXI’ZEN
Winter
X-Ice Xi2
SW-5
Euro win
46
| Tire News | April 2010 | www.autosphere.ca | Winguard SUV
TIRES
SAFETY - PERFORMANCE - RELIABILITY - VALUE
Add Durability and Reliability to your work force.
Goodride Tires - Your Partner on the Road.
CR960
Abrasion
Performance
Visit us and learn more at:
CR976
Abrasion Resistant
Tread
www.GOODRIDETIRE.com
CM980
Special Tread
Compound
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2010-2011 Winter Tires
Winter Icecontrol
Observe Garit KX
and handling on dry roads and grip when
that meets
featuring Microbit
the weather turns bad. It is available for
t h e 2 01 2
Technology with
13- to 16-inch wheels in the 70 to 55 as-
European
ground walnut
pect ratios in T and H speed ratings. It’s the
Union regu-
shells combined
kind of tire that will fit sporty compact and
l a t i o n s. I t
to the tread com-
midsized sedans.
will be reco-
pound. It is availa-
g n i za b l e by
ble in 55 sizes
The Winguard SUV is very easy to descri-
its new tread
for 13- to 20-inch
be—it’s the Winguard for light trucks, SUVs,
design featu-
and crossover SUVs. It is available for 15- to
ring semi block ar-
18-inch wheels in the 55 to 40 aspect ratios
rows, different shape of zig-zag siping
and T, H, and V speed ratings.
and the addition of thinner sipes. The
Toyo’s other star tire is the Observe Garit
square shoulders are made to improve
KX, an H speed rated unidirectional winter
the contact area. It also features an all-
performance tire for luxury and sports cars
Winter has never frightened
new Silica 7 compound, improved rolling
that also includes Microbit Technology. This
Finnish manufacturer
resistance, Aromatic
tire is available in 25 sizes for 15- to 19-inch
Nokian; its engineers
Oil Free construc-
wheels in the 55 to 40 aspect ratios.
are always looking for
tion, and noise
a better solution for
reduction.
Nokian
Uniroyal belongs to the Michelin family and
there is a Nokian
Toyo
Hakkapeliitta 7 new
Japanese ma-
tion of winter tires, the
generation tire that
nufacturer Toyo
studdable Tiger Paw
has shyly showed
is preparing for
Ice & Snow II that
up on some select
yet another big
features a state of
European markets,
winter season in
the art polymer
2010-2011, as it
technology that
is introducing a new
keeps its mole-
America for the
light truck winter tire, the Open Country
cular grip and
2 010 - 2 011 s e a s o n …
WLT1. Like many tire manufacturers, Toyo
compound flexi-
at least not before some
is aware that light trucks, including light
bility. It also fea-
adjustments are made for our market’s
commercial vehicles, also need appropriate
tures a Durashield
needs. Consequently, Nokian’s famous
winter tires. The 10-ply WLT1 is available
construction for a
Hakkapeliitta 5 will remain the most im-
in some 15 sizes for 16- to 20-inch wheels
quieter ride and mul-
portant product the Finnish manufacturer
with an E load range.
tiple deep sipes to help
this product won’t
make it to North
Hakkapeliitta 5
it announces a new genera-
will offer in Canada in its regular or studded
Tiger Paw Ice &
Snow II
road grip. Uniroyal’s engineers designed a
version. For light truck owners, Nokian also
In addition, Toyo is bringing back some of
treadwear optimised by computer to reduce
has the Hakka LT available with C, D and E
the best winter tires on the market, inclu-
the growling sound of the tire.
load index.
Pirelli
48
50 aspect ratios.
Uniroyal
Open Country WLT1
more grip. While
wheels in the 70 to
ding the very popular
Observe G-02
Vredestein
plus, a passen-
Dutch tire maker Vredestein has great win-
Though it already has many great winter
ger tire desi-
ter products to offer, such as the Icetrac,
tires in its catalogue, Italian manufacturer
gned for se-
the Snowtrac 2 and 3, and the Wintrac
Pirelli is introducing yet another new tire,
vere winter
Xtreme and 4Xtreme, all designed by Italian
the Winter Icecontrol. Available in 28 sizes
conditions
artist Giugiaro. Add to that the most recent
for 14- to 17-inch wheels, all with a W speed
for
most
Arctrac offered for passenger cars and its
rating, the new Icecontrol is a completely
cars
and
light truck equivalent, the Arctrac SUV. The
new product, starting with an all-new casing
light trucks
Arctrac shows angular 3D shoulders with
| Tire News | April 2010 | www.autosphere.ca | Observe G-02 plus
FOR DRIVERS WHO WANT TO GET
THE MOST OUT OF THEIR CARS
‘
IT S
BRIDGESTONE
Potenza
OR NOTHING.
RE050
G019 Grid
RE92
RE760 Sport
Turanza
Insignia
EL42
Dueler
EL400
SE200
H/T (D684II)
H/T (687)
H/T 470
H/L Alenza
H/L 400
H/P Sport
Atlas Tire Wholesale Inc.
YOUR SOURCE FOR BRIDGESTONE TIRES
20 Years of Service to the Trade
WEST
6290 SHAWSON DRIVE
MISSISSAUGA, ON L5T 1H5
TEL (905) 670-9791
FAX (905) 670-0581
EAST
140 McLEVIN AVE., # 6 & 7
SCARBOROUGH, ON M1B 3V1
TEL (416) 292-8202
FAX (416) 292-8177
TOLLL FREE NUMBERS AVAILABLE
[email protected]
www.tiredistribution.com
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Arctrac
2010-2011 Winter Tires
the completely asymmetric design of its
treadwear while the SW602 will show a
directional tread design with swooping
stepped inner
surface of its
water channels. The SW601 will share
grooves for ad-
some of its sizes with the Goodride brand
ditional diagonal
and will be available in 16 sizes for 14- to
grip and stability
17-inch wheels in the 65 to 45 aspect ra-
in snow. It comes
tios while the SW602 will come in 14 sizes
with intelligent stud
for 13- to 17-inch wheels in the 70 to 45
distribution (yes, it’s a
aspect ratios with T and H speed ratings.
studdable tire). The Arctrac is available for
13- to 17-inch wheels in the 70 to 45 aspect
W.drive
Yokohama
ratios, all with Q- and T-speed ratings. In
its truck version, the Arctrac SUV comes in
W.drive. The IG20 uses two technologies
eight sizes for 16- to 18-inch wheels in the
to eliminate water, shelled microbubble
70 to 55 aspect ratios. All have a T speed
to absorb micro amounts of water on the
rating.
ice surface, and absorptive carbon flakes
that even absorb water. This well-known
product is available in more than 50 sizes
for 13- to 18-inch wheels in the 80 to 40
aspect ratios.
In addition, for light trucks Yokohama offers its Geolandar I/T G072 that includes
the same features as the IG20 mentioIG20
ned above. Add to that directional tread
design and V-reverse shaped blocks for
better wet traction. It comes in 36 sizes
for 15- to 20-inch wheels including a few
Ja p a n e s e m a n u fa c t u re r Yo ko h a m a
Snowtrac 3
Wintrac Xtreme
Westlake
LT models with a C load index.
has three winter tires in its cata logue for the 2010-2011 season: the
Finally, the third model offered by
IG20, the Geolandar I/T G072 and the
Yokohama is the W.drive, a high-performance model with a new compound that
adapts to a wide range of temperatures.
Polyhedral 3D sipes help maintain block
stiffness while the asymmetric design
helps high performance in dry, wet, and
snowy conditions. The W.drive comes in
12 sizes—eight reinforced models for
16- and 17-inch wheels in the 55 and 50
SW602
aspect ratios and four for 18-inch wheels
in the 50 to 40 ratios. All W.drive tires
have a V speed rating.
Westlake is an increasingly popular brand
from China and with time, it shows that
Chinese manufacturers are stepping up their
quality and performance. Westlake tires will
be marketed as SW601 and SW602 models. The SW601 will be recognizable by
50
| Tire News | April 2010 | www.autosphere.ca | Geolandar I/T G072
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CHALLENGE S
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Industry News
Advertisers
Pirelli Shows Its P Zero Corsa Tire System
at the Geneva Auto Show
Pirelli Tyre S.p.A. unveiled a new ultra-high performance P Zero Corsa
System at the Geneva Auto Show in Switzerland, a concept that adds
technology to Italian supercar manufacturer Automobili Lamborghini
S.p.A. The P Zero Corsa was designed for the all-new Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera with 235/35ZR19 and 295/30ZR19 sizes
unique to the Gallardo Superleggera. Among this tire’s characteristics
are compounds and solutions that decrease rolling resistance. They also
have front directional tread design with asymmetric rear design that
decreases possibility to hydroplaning. The new tires feature designs and
materials derived from Pirelli’s motorsports program.
Yokohama’s Upgraded Orange
Oil-Infused Race Tire
Yokohama Tire introduced its upgraded environmentally-sensitive
ADVAN ENV-R2 racing tire in Sebring, Florida. The orange oil-infused
racing slicks utilize sustainable resources—orange oil and natural rubber to help cut petroleum use during manufacturing.
Normal racing tires contain little or no natural materials. The
ENV-R1 increased the renewable,
natural content to 15%. The ENVR2, the official spec tire of the
Patrón and ALMS GT3 Challenge
Class races, increases it to 20%.
Yokohama’s orange oil technology is part of the company’s overall global environmental strategy.
The proprietary technology, which
combines orange oil with natural rubber to form a new compound
called “Super Nano-Power Rubber,” is used in race tires and the dB
Super E-spec, an everyday passenger car tire.
Dunlop and Bridgestone Tires
for the New Toyota Sienna
Toyota is introducing a totally new 2011 Sienna minivan. Though its
main line-up will include regular tires, the Japanese manufacturer will
also market a sportier version of its van, the SE, which will use bigger Dunlop SP Sport 7000 235/50R19
performance all-season tires. In addition,
the AWD (all-wheel drive) LE and Limited
versions of the same vehicle will come
from the manufacturer with Bridgestone
Turanza EL-400 RTF run flat tires in
235/55R18. The new Sienna is already on
sale in Canada and the U.S.
AIA Canada
www.aiacanada.com
23
Atlas Tire Wholesale
www.atlastire.com
autosphere.ca
www.autosphere.ca
Bridgestone
www.bridgestone-firestone.ca 7, 39
Continental
www.continentaltire.ca
2
Distribution PDG
www.distributionpdg.ca
33
Duret & Landry
www.duretlandry.com
56
Falken
www.falkentire.com
11
Fastco
www.fastco.ca
Goodride Tires
www.goodridetire.com
31, 35, 49
51
27, 43
47
TIRES
SAFETY - PERFORMANCE - RELIABILITY - VALUE
Add Durability and Reliability to your work force.
Goodride Tires - Your Partner on the Road.
Hankook
www.hankooktire.ca
Kumho
www.kumhotire.ca
55
CR960
13, 39
Visit us and learn more at:
Michelin
www.michelin.ca
41
OK Tire
www.oktire.com
9
PBL Insurance
www.pblinsurance.com
29
Pirelli
www.pirelli.ca
25
Rubber Association
of Canada
www.betiresmart.ca
CR976
Abrasion
Performance
CM980
Abrasion Resistant
Tread
Special Tread
Compound
www.GOODRIDETIRE.com
14-16
Shad’s R&R
52
Solideal Canada
www.solideal.ca
21
Toyo
www.toyotires.ca
37
VL Communications
www.vlcom.com
45
Yokohama
www.yokohamatire.ca
5
Westlake Tires
www.westlaketire.com
17
TIRES
While you focus on the task at hand, let durability and
reliability work for you when you need it most.
WestLake Tires - For all your Journeys
All Steel Truck &
Bus Radials
| www.autosphere.ca | April 2010 | Tire News |
53
CR960
CM980
CM973
CR976
CM998
CM958
CM938
CM922
CM925
CM957
CM961
CM913
CM997
CR966
CM912
Bias Truck Tyres
CL991
CR992
CL939
CR918
CR936
CR940
CR942
CRCM920
CM937
Jack Kazmierski
[email protected]
Business Matters
The tire business has
changed dramatically
over the past 30 years, but not all shops have
kept up pace.
Stuck in the ’80s
I
f you’ve been in the tire business long
more) then shouldn’t the price the custom-
that needs to be asked is, “Do you really
enough, you likely remember what
er pays to have his tires installed and bal-
want to compete to win the business of
life was like in 1980. For starters,
anced have gone up as well? But in many
customers who can’t or won’t pay for a
tires were a lot smaller. It’s almost hard to
cases, it hasn’t. And that’s something that
quality job?”
believe that we were all driving on tires as
needs to be addressed.
In every market there are consumers who
small as 12 or 15 inches.
Today’s tires are more sophisticated than
shop on price. There’s nothing wrong with
If you think really hard, you might even
anything we had 30 years ago. Not only
that, except that these consumers will
remember paying a mere $1,500 or so
are the tire compounds different, but to-
never be loyal to you. They will never re-
for the equipment needed to change
day’s tires come with fancy TPMS systems,
turn for repeat business because all they
and balance these tires. And how much
are sold in increasingly larger sizes, come
are interested in is the lowest price.
were most shops charging for these
in run-flat versions, are offered in ultra-
services? Probably in the $6 per tire
low-profile configurations with expensive
They don’t care about the fact that you
range.
rims, and so on. It takes more time and
take pride in your work and that you
skill—as well as more sophisticated equip-
want to do a quality job. Nor are they
Fast-forward 30 years and tire sizes have
ment—to work with today’s tires, than it
concerned with how much time and
swollen to 18, 19, 20, or even more
did 30 years ago.
money you have spent on training, or
inches, and the price of equipment has
Bargain tire service
entry for a wheel balancer or tire changer
If so much has changed during the past
quality equipment operated by quality
is nowhere near the $1,500 you would
30 years, why are some shops still stuck in
personnel.
have paid 30 years ago. Today’s fancy
the ’80s with respect to what they charge
equipment will set you back as much
their customers? It’s not uncommon to
If you want to attract an uninformed clien-
as $25,000 or more, depending on the
find ads announcing bargain-basement
tele who is unwilling to pay a fair price and
brand, and the number of bells and whis-
pricing not much higher than the $6 per
will likely never buy from you again unless
tles you order.
tire consumers were paying way back in
you consistently undercut the competi-
the Miami Vice days.
tion, then by all means continue to give
Do the math
54
the fact that you need to charge a fair
grown exponentially. Today, the price of
price in order to provide quality work on
away your services at 1980 prices. But if
Now, hold on just a moment. Let’s do the
“But if I ask for more money then the cus-
you would like to succeed and prosper to
math here quickly. If the price of equip-
tomer will go elsewhere,” some will say.
see another 30 years, then you’re going to
ment has gone up at least 10-fold (if not
Although that might be true, the question
need to rethink your strategy.
| Tire News | April 2010 | www.autosphere.ca | Hankook Tire Canada Corp. : 30 Resolution Drive, Brampton, ON, L6W 0A3
1-800-843-7709
Experience CORGHI’S technology. ASK FOR A
DEMONSTRATION, IT WILL CONVINCE YOU.
TO SCHEDULE OUR DEMO TRUCK, CONTACT OUR ONTARIO
SALES MANAGER: THIERRY LEFEBVRE
EM7440
A9824TI-DV-1000
ARTIGLIO 50
• Sales • Service • Leasing/Purchasing
• Financing available
Are you ready for your summer tire sprint?
For information : 416-902-5663
www.corghiontario.com
Ontario