October 2009 Issue

Transcription

October 2009 Issue

PM 40014105
VOLUME 6 / NUMBER 6 / OCTOBER
2009 / $4,95
www.autosphere.ca
GCR Tire Centres
Solid Business,
Solid Customer Service
Benoit Côté
Drive safely with the
best winter tires,
Blizzak by Bridgestone,
available in our 40 stores
in Eastern Canada…
…and GCR can also supply
you with industrial, farm,
forestry, truck, retread,
off-the-road and
mining tires.
Dartmouth ................................................................... 902-468-8473
Truro ........................................................................... 902-895-5497
Antigonish ................................................................... 902-863-1104
New Minas .................................................................. 902-681-7305
New Glasgow ............................................................. 902-755-3866
Bridgewater ................................................................ 902-543-4644
Moncton ...................................................................... 506-857-2052
Grand Falls ................................................................. 709-489-6518
Clarenville ................................................................... 709-466-2606
Corner Brook .............................................................. 709-634-4105
St.John’s ..................................................................... 709-722-6644
Paradise ..................................................................... 709-364-9215
Sudbury Commercial .................................................. 705-566-5880
Sudbury ...................................................................... 705-674-5214
Sault Ste-Marie ........................................................... 705-945-6001
Timmins ...................................................................... 705-264-9481
Val D’Or ...................................................................... 819-825-0115
Ottawa ........................................................................ 613-828-6413
Amos .......................................................................... 819-727-2553
Rouyn ........................................................................ 819-797-6060
Port Credit .................................................................. 905-274-7400
Québec City ................................................................ 418-681-0511
Jonquière .................................................................... 418-542-6535
Chicoutimi ................................................................... 418-543-0241
Alma ........................................................................... 418-668-8311
Baie-Comeau.............................................................. 418-589-2046
St-Félicien................................................................... 418-679-1851
Chibougamau ............................................................. 418-748-2623
Trois Rivières .............................................................. 819-375-4809
Rivière Du Loup .......................................................... 418-862-2011
Roberval ..................................................................... 418-275-2221
Charlesbourg .............................................................. 418-627-0940
Victoriaville ................................................................. 819-758-8286
Rimouski ..................................................................... 418-722-7735
Dolbeau ...................................................................... 418-276-2852
La Malbaie .................................................................. 418-665-2541
Wabush ...................................................................... 709-282-3662
Dorval ......................................................................... 514-636-2551
Granby ........................................................................ 450-770-8745
Drummondville............................................................ 819-475-1680
www.gcrtires.com
Contents
14
October 2009
23
COVER STORY
F E AT U R E S
8
NASCAR in Montreal
A Question of Tires
23
Tom Gravalos in Montréal
Racing Is Important to Pirelli
10
Keeping Up With the Competition
Yokohama Introduces Two New Tires
24
12
Continental Tire Canada and Pival International
Dedicated to Service
Winter Tires
How to Tell Your Customers
They Really NEED Winter Tires
26
An Interesting But Limited Alternative
Studded Tires Are Still Available
27
Garage Business
The 5 Year Plan
14
GCR Tire Centres
Solid Business, Solid
Customer Service
16
Doing Business With Asia
It’s All About Building Relationships
28
Networking Breakfast Series
Getting Together for Business
18
Tune-ups
They’re Not Just for Cars Anymore…
30
Emission System
Exhaust Technology—So Much Better Today!
20
Build Your Business
Focus on Profitability
22
REGULARS
4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Editorial
How Are You Handling Telephone Shoppers?
Your Telephone Staff Make
All the Difference,
Says J.D. Power
6, 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Industry News
14, 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Commercial Tires
29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Advertisers
CALENDAR
October 2009
November 2009
October 13-18
October 21
★ www.equipauto.com
★ Mireille Schippers 1-800-808-2920,
Équip Auto 2009
Parc d’expositions, Paris-Nord, France
AIA Ontario Forum
Doubletree by Hilton, 655 Dixon Rd., Toronto
ext. 264
★ [email protected]
★ www.aiacanada.com
November 3-5
November 3
★ www.aapexshow.com
★ Thérèse Santostefano
AAPEX Show 2009
Sands Expo Center, Las Vegas, NV
November 3-6
AIA Canada • Canada Night 2009
Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas, NV
1-800-808-2920, ext. 225
SEMA Show
Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
★ [email protected]
★ www.aiacanada.com
★ www.semashow.com
| www.autosphere.ca | October 2009 | Tire News |
3
EDITORIAL
As we emerge from the recession we must be
ready to embrace opportunities as they come
our way. That might mean having enough
trained employees on hand to handle extra
business, having enough stock in our warehouses to satisfy growing customer demand,
as well as preparing ourselves mentally for
Copy Editor
Shirley Brown [email protected]
Have you cut prices in order to attract cus-
Production
Olivier Rhême [email protected]
Valérie St-Cyr [email protected]
uncertain times? If so, maybe it’s time to look
at your pricing structure now that things are
The economy has been tough,
but the light at the end of the
economic tunnel is well in view
now.
E
getting better, especially if you’re in a market
where customers are starting to spend again.
Have you cut down on advertising, believing that it would save you money or limit
expenses during tough times? Perhaps it’s
time to look at advertising again. This is a
great time to negotiate long term contracts
with the media that will see you benefiting
from stronger win-win relationships in the
very economic downturn is followed by
a period of recovery. Unfortunately, the
fact that good news follows bad news is
Contributing Editors
Raynald Bouchard, Éric Descarries,
Jack Kazmierski, Jil McIntosh
better times ahead.
tomers who themselves may have been facing
Profitability
Publisher
Rémy L. Rousseau
near future.
Measured progress
often forgotten when we’re busy trying to keep
I’m not suggesting you open up your cheque
our heads above financial waters.
books and start spending like mad. My point
Circulation Manager
Nancy Belleville [email protected]
Administration
Wendy Allain [email protected]
Marie-Hélène Côté [email protected]
Advertising
Nathalie Plouffe
416-925-5665
[email protected]
Luc Champagne
514-945-1299
[email protected]
Réjean A. Rousseau
450-649-9007
[email protected]
Subscription
1 year: $19.95 2 years: $34.95 3 years: $49.95
Published by
Rousseau Automotive Communication
is that it’s time to look towards the brighter
future ahead of us, loosen the purse strings
your eyes off your woes, and notice the light
in a measured fashion, increase advertis-
at the end of the financial tunnel as it barrels
ing, hire the people you’ll need for the busy
towards us all. The gloom and doom we feared
months ahead, stock your warehouses and be
only a few months ago seems to be well behind
ready to make money again.
[email protected]
www.autosphere.ca
Some of us may have been paralyzed by fear
Tire News Magazine is dedicated to serving the business
interests of the Canadian tire industry. It is published seven
times a year by Rousseau Automotive Communication, a
member of AIA Canada.
us, the recession wasn’t as deep as we may
have feared, and a new day is dawning.
Prepare for better days ahead
As world economies fell into financial despair,
at some point in the recent past. Now it’s time
to emerge from that fear and face the future
with a view to profitability... once again.
those of us with businesses to run wondered
what kind of sacrifices we would have to make
in order to survive. We prepared ourselves for
the worst, while hoping for the best and knowing full well that we might have to cut down on
Rémy L. Rousseau
[email protected]
staff and limit expenses in order to survive. In
a nutshell, we got ready.
4
455, rue Notre-Dame est, suite 311,
Montréal QC, H2Y 1C9
Well, I’m here to tell you to lift your heads, take
So how about now? Now that we’re seeing a
Please remember to visit our automotive por-
recovery, are we getting ready for better days
tal, www.autosphere.ca, for great business
ahead? If not, we definitely should be.
advice and insight into our industry.
| Tire News | October 2009 | www.autosphere.ca |
T : 514-289-0888 / 1-877-989-0888
F : 514-289-5151
Material in Tire News Magazine may not be reproduced in
any form without written consent from the publisher. The
publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertising and
disclaims all responsibilities for claims or statements made
by its advertisers or independent columnists. All facts,
opinions and statements appearing within this publication
are those of the writers and editors themselves, and are
in no way to be construed as statements, positions or
endorsements by Rousseau Automotive Communication.
Publications Mail Agreement 40014105. Return
undelivrable Canadian addresses to
Rousseau Automotive Communication / Circulation
Department, 455, rue Notre-Dame est, suite 311,
Montréal QC, H2Y 1C9
INDUSTRY NEWS
2009 Tire Shipments May
Drop 16%, Says RMA
Tire shipments are projected to drop by
about 16% this year, mainly as a result of
a nearly 45% decline in OEM passenger car
tires and an almost 43% drop in OEM commercial truck tires, according to the Rubber
Manufacturers Association (RMA). Vehicle
miles traveled seem to have stabilized and
domestic economic conditions for both the
consumer and commercial sectors appear to
have bottomed and are poised for a rebound
in 2010. The tire industry is expected to
realize a nearly 8% growth in 2010, reaching
the 260 million unit level. www.rma.org
ERRATUM
NASCAR Tests Bigger Tires
You probably noticed that, in the Winter
Tire report in our last issue, we used the
wrong picture for both the Michelin Pilot
Alpin PA3 and the Yokohama IG20. Our sincere apologies to you, readers, and to the
concerned manufacturers. The right pictures
are as follows.
For years, NASCAR has been using the
same tire rules, based on a 15-inch wheel.
But nowadays, as cars go faster than ever and
braking might require bigger discs to be more
efficient and safer, Goodyear—NASCAR’s only
official brand of tires—is experimenting with
a larger tire based on a 17-inch wheel that
will clear bigger braking equipment.
According to the latest news, as the tires
were to be tested at the Richmond International Speedway, the new tire will be one
and a half inch taller and one and a half inch
larger than the actual tire. If you’re wondering why the new tire doesn’t have the lower
profile it has in other series, remember that
the Goodyear tires used on NASCAR’s faster
tracks also have an inner liner in case of a
blow-out.
Goodyear expects to test out the tire with
multiple cars on a faster track. Changing tire
sizes will require much work from race teams
to adapt the new configurations to the actual
cars. NASCAR is also pondering with fuel injection to replace the mechanical carburetors
but that won’t come into use before, at least,
2011.
Yokohama IG20
TIA Members Happy
About Heightened Internet
Opportunities
Tire dealers are booting up increased connections between themselves and potential
customers via Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn
as the Tire Industry Association (TIA) has
opened accounts on each of the three popular social networking sites.
“I had been deliberating putting TIA on
these sites for a while,” explains Richard
Porter, the organization’s director of marketing communications. “Then, two of our
board members—Wayne Croswell and Gordon
Gough—encouraged me to proceed; and so
here we are.”
“Everyone at TIA is excited about our new
presence on these major social networking
sites,” TIA Executive Vice President Roy Littlefield. “We encourage all of our members to
consider ‘staking their own claim’ by putting
their own presence on these sites that reach
millions of people.” www.tireindustry.org
Michelin Introduces
the LTX M/S 2
Michelin has introduced a revised version of its popular LTX light truck tire, the
M/S 2. This new product features 3D Active
Sipes that interlock to preserve rigidity in
the blocks, a new silica tread compound,
Michelin’s Comfort Control technology that
reduces vibrations and road noise, Advanced
MaxTouch construction, and Three Steel-Belt
durability with an extra steel belt so the tire
can handle loads up to 13,500 lb. The LTX
M/S 2 will be introduced gradually in North
America during 2009 and 2010 for a total of
38 sizes for 15- to 20-inch wheels.
6
Pilot Alpin PA3
NASCAR is testing with bigger tires
for the upcoming seasons.
Bridgestone Has a New OTR
Tire Plant in Japan
Japanese tire manufacturer Bridgestone recently opened a new off-the road tire plant in
Kitakyushu in Japan. It is the first new plant
constructed by Bridgestone in its own country in the last 33 years and it incorporates
some of the most advanced environmental
technologies. The Kitakyushu plant replaces
the older Shimonoseki Plant, which became
unable to meet the significant increase in
demand in the OTR market.
GO THROUGH
SLEET, ICE AND SNOW
WITH BLIZZAK
DM-V1
DM-Z3
LM-22
LM-25
LM-50
LM-60 MZ-03
W965
BLIZZAK WINTER TIRES
Atlas Tire Wholesale Inc.
YOUR SOURCE FOR BRIDGESTONE TIRES
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
[email protected]
www.tiredistribution.com
WS-60
Éric Descarries
[email protected]
NASCAR in Montreal
A Question of Tires
Motorsports are always a challenge for tire manufacturers. For American manufacturer Goodyear, it sometimes is a
real nightmare, depending on the track on which the race is being held. Last year, Goodyear went through hell as
year. Also last year, Goodyear provided a rain tire for the first time to NASCAR teams as the NAPA Auto Parts 200
Nationwide race held at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal had to be held in the rain, a first for NASCAR—
and for Goodyear, whose rain tires were almost ten years old. This year, Goodyear was ready, with some 600 new
rain tires developed upon the production Eagle F-1 A/S design and based on a new carbon fiber sidewall casing.
Canadian NASCAR champ Andrew Ranger took full advantage of the
Goodyear tires to finish third in the Nationwide series.
Each team is allowed five sets of tires and there were
43 teams in the Montreal race, but the teams only get
them just a few hours before practice.
Goodyear had brought
a new Eagle race tire
to Montreal. The tire
manufacturer is now
testing with a new 17inch Eagle race tire for
NASCAR. The tire will be
one-half-inch higher and
wider and should offer
better grip.
Each race tire is balanced and signed by the
technician who balanced it.
The NASCAR Canadian Tire series also uses a
dedicated Goodyear Eagle tire.
8
Pirelli P Zero tires were used in the
Rolex Grand Am that raced the day
before the NASCAR races. Here, they
are protected from sun rays.
Pirelli was ready
for the rain.
Photos: Éric Descarries
its Eagle race tires were disintegrating at an alarming rate at the Indianapolis event. The problem was solved this
NASCAR posted the recommended pressure for its
Eagle race tires for the Montreal race.
Goodyear had 600 of those new NASCAR rain tires for
the Montreal race. They came in handy!
The Formula 1600 Tour makes
it mandatory to use a specific
Dunlop tire that is designed for
both rain and dry pavement.
EXPERIENCE CORGHI’S TECHNOLOGY. ASK FOR A
DEMONSTRATION, IT WILL CONVINCE YOU.
TO SCHEDULE OUR DEMO TRUCK, CONTACT OUR ONTARIO
SALES MANAGER: THIERRY LEFEBVRE
A9824TI-DV-1000
ARTIGLIO 50
FOR INFORMATION : 416-902-5663
WWW.CORGHIONTARIO.COM
ONTARIO
Keeping Up With the Competition
Éric Descarries
[email protected]
Yokohama Introduces Two New Tires
The dB super-E-Spec
wet pavement. The dB will be available in
Hybrid cars are developing at a very
four sizes: 185/65R15 88H, 195/65R15
rapid rate. Among them are cars like
91H, 195/55R16 87V, and 215/60R16
the Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight.
95V.
Though the Honda is pretty recent, the
Prius has been on our market for quite
The ADVAN Neova AD08
a while so, for many owners, this might
The other new product Yokohama intro-
mean replacement tires in the near fu-
duced at its Niagara event was the
ture. Yokohama has an option for those
ADVAN Neova AD08, which replaces
who like the brand and it is its new dB
the previous 07 model. This high-per-
super-E-spec. First of all, let’s point out
formance tire has been improved with a
that the Japanese manufacturer prom-
new microsilica compound that still per-
ises no compromise in grip or in rolling
forms on wet pavement but reduces wear.
resistance thanks to its proprietary com-
Among the other technologies mentioned
pound that works in at least two different
are steel inserts in the sidewall for more
modes as it is silent while driving straight
rigidity, large grooves with light slicing in
and active while cornering and braking.
their wall to balance stress and fight off
A quick look at the tread design will show
irregular wear, and an optimised contact
circumferential grooves that allow good
patch. Finally, the unique grooves include
traction on wet pavement. Quietness is
two central grooves for a faster response
attained thanks to the Five Pitch Tread
at high speed and shoulder with curved
Blocks technology that breaks up noise.
grooves for more stability in the curves
But what really counts is Yokohama’s
at high speed.
Tire manufacturers are regularly coming out with new products
to keep up with the most recent automotive technologies and
development—and that is just what Japanese manufacturer
Yokohama did last August by introducing two new tires, the dB
super-E-spec, a product specifically designed for hybrid cars
and the ADVAN Neova AD08 designed for high-performance
automobiles.
This is the new dB super-E-spec by Yokohama.
Yokohama had provided us with Toyota Priuses to
try out its new eco-focused tire.
This is the high-performance ADVAN Neova 08.
Nano-Power Rubber Compound with less
petroleum-derived oil. As a matter of
To try out the tire, Yokohama had brought
fact, Yokohama has used orange oil and
a few performance vehicles, includ-
other natural elements.
ing a Porsche 911, an Audi S4, and a
Participants drove performance cars at the Niagara
airport to try out the new ADVAN tire.
Mitsubishi Evolution, to drive in special
10
Yokohama had arranged a presentation
sections designed on the local airport
in the Niagara Peninsula region to try out
tarmac. Participants were all impressed
its dB tire mounted on Toyota Priuses.
by the tire’s performances, especially
The handful of specialized journalists all
how they helped keep control of the car
noticed how quiet the tire was—espe-
in the long and fast sweeping curve. The
cially when the Prius was running on its
new Yokohama ADVAN Neova 08 is avail-
electric motor—but, unfortunately for
able in 31 sizes for 15- to 19-inch wheels
Yokohama, it did not rain so the company
in the 205 to 255 aspect ratios, all with
couldn’t prove the tire’s effectiveness on
V- and W-speed ratings.
Yokohama provided a Porsche for performance driving.
Jil McIntosh
[email protected]
Continental Tire Canada and Pival International
Dedicated to Service
Y
essly clean
is huge and spotl
New warehouse consolidates three previous locations.
ou can have a great product, but
art fire and security system. WAMOS, an
and the Port of Trois-Rivieres in Quebec.
that’s only half the equation: you
inventory management system, monitors
A fifth facility will open in Vancouver in
also have to be able to get it to
stock availability in real time, through the
2010. The company has been in business
online application ContiLink.
for seven years; La Barbera has 25 years’
your customer on time. To help do this,
experience.
Continental Tire Canada has opened a
new warehouse in Oshawa, Ontario, oper-
Now in full operation, the warehouse
ated by Pival International.
employs 75 people and moves about
Continental’s high standards
20,000 tires a day. Other tire brands are
“We handle auto parts, so we have OE ex-
The grand opening took place with a
handled, but 90% of the warehouse is
perience with the auto companies, but we
ribbon-cutting ceremony on September
dedicated to Continental Tire.
specialize in tires,” he said. “We’ve deliv-
16, attended by executives from Pival
ered Continental/General Tires to General
International and from Continental Tire
A seamless extension
Canada and North America, as well as the
“We have a lot of experience with tires,”
from people who understand logistics
mayor of Oshawa, and several tire dealers
said Pival International president Mario
and tires, because tires require special
and company representatives.
La Barbera. “We handle up to eight mil-
handling. For every customer we’ve had,
lion a year and can target our services
we’ve grown their winter tire business,
to the customer’s requirements. We’re
because we understand getting seasonal
Continental Tire will have up to half a mil-
a seamless extension of (Continental’s)
products to market. Continental has high
lion tires in inventory in the 400,000 sq.
supply chain.”
standards, and they felt we measured up
Half a million tires
Motors for six years. Our team was built
Photos: Jil McIntosh
The warehouse
to it.”
ft. warehouse, which consolidates three
previous locations. The building features
The Oshawa warehouse is one of four Pival
52 dock doors all around the perimeter
operates, along with Valleyfield, Montreal
for easy access, an inside rail spur capable
of holding 20 boxcars, and a state-of-the-
Mario La Barbera,
Michael McDerm
ott, National Acco
unt
Manager, Contine
ntal Tire Canada
s, General
Oliver Winschier
12
ntal Tire Canada
Manager Contine
Dominique Lacro
ix, director
of operations, Co
ntinental
Tire North Ameri
ca
president of Pival
International
Features & Benefits
improved tread pattern:
Parallel central ribs to improve vehicle handling
Stable shoulder blocks with Force Transmission Links to increase performance
Circumferential central groove for fast drainage, slush expulsion and better self cleaning
increased sipe density and 3D Drop sipes:
More grip edges for better snow handling performance
nordic silica compound:
Innovative winter grip polymer for improved snow traction, performance and ice grip
*
NORD FROST 5
SIZES AVAILABLE
NORD
*FROST 5
1 3 inc h
1 5 5 /8 0 R 1 3 7 9 T S L
1 7 5 /7 0 R 1 3 8 2 T S L
1 4 inc h
1 7 5 /7 0 R 1 4 8 4 T S L
1 8 5 /7 0 R 1 4 8 8 T S L
1 9 5 /7 0 R 1 4 9 1 T S L
1 7 5 /6 5 R 1 4 8 2 T S L
1 8 5 /6 5 R 1 4 8 6 T S L
1 8 5 /6 0 R 1 4 8 2 T S L
1 6 inc h
2 2 5 /7 5 R 1 6 1 0 4 T S L
2 1 5 /7 0 R 1 6 1 0 0 T S L
2 2 5 /7 0 R 1 6 1 0 2 T S L
2 1 5 /6 5 R 1 6 1 0 2 T XL
2 0 5 /6 0 R 1 6 9 6 T XL
2 1 5 /6 0 R 1 6 9 5 T S L
2 2 5 /6 0 R 1 6 1 0 2 T XL
2 0 5 /5 5 R 1 6 9 4 T XL
2 1 5 /5 5 R 1 6 9 7 T XL
1 5 inc h
2 0 5 /7 0 R 1 5 9 6 T S L
2 1 5 /7 0 R 1 5 9 8 T S L
1 8 5 /6 5 R 1 5 8 8 T S L
1 9 5 /6 5 R 1 5 9 1 T S L
2 0 5 /6 5 R 1 5 9 4 T S L
1 8 5 /6 0 R 1 5 8 8 T XL
1 9 5 /6 0 R 1 5 8 8 T S L
2 2 5 /5 5 R 1 6 9 9 T XL
1 7 inc h
2 2 5 /6 5 R 1 7 1 0 2 T S L
2 3 5 /6 5 R 1 7 1 0 8 T XL
2 3 5 /5 5 R 1 7 1 0 3 T XL
2 0 5 /5 0 R 1 7 9 3 T XL
2 2 5 /5 0 R 1 7 9 8 T XL
2 2 5 /4 5 R 1 7 9 4 T XL
1 9 5 /5 5 R 1 5 8 9 T XL
1 8 inc h
2 4 5 /4 0 R 1 8 9 7 T XL
NEW SIZES FOR 2009
Dealer Enquiries Welcome
Call (905) 670-7354 Ext. 270
e-mail: [email protected]
www.gislavedontario.ca
ATLAS TIRE WHOLESALE INC.
Exclusive Gislaved Distributor for Ontario
COMMERCIAL TIRES
Jil McIntosh
[email protected]
GCR Tire Centres
Solid Business, Solid Customer Service
Bridgestone-owned stores handle all types of tires.
forestry, agricultural, off-road, earthmover
and industrial tires, along with rubber
tracks and wheels.
Every type of tire
“Specifically, we have been a commercial
tire business, but we sell all the other
types of tires you can find out there,”
Côté says. “The majority of our sales are
Bridgestone, Firestone products, of course,
but we can also sell other products.”
GCR Tire Centres do offer wholesale to
independent dealers if there isn’t a GCR
location nearby, but most of the company’s sales are to the end users. “Since
we are mainly commercial, we have a large
customer base of trucking and transportation fleets, and also civil work, excavation
businesses and mines,” Côté says. “We will
I
and several of our locations have bays
f you’re in the large truck tire business,
More than 60 years
you don’t need to be told how the eco-
The GCR name has been around for more
cars and light trucks, for example, brakes,
nomic downturn has hurt the freight
than 60 years, starting in Texas and later
suspension, exhaust and alignments.”
transportation sector, and the resulting
on in Canada. GCR stands for Griffith,
effect on tire sales and maintenance.
Crawford and Rose, the names of the com-
Snowy weather helps sales
Getting through it has depended on a
pany’s founders. Bridgestone acquired it
Fewer goods moving in trucks may have
solid business case and customer service,
in 1987 and a few years later CTR, a well-
been a challenge for CGR Tire Centres’
such as that of GCR Tire Centres.
know tire dealership in Canada, became
commercial business, but snowy weather
where we do light mechanical work on
part of the Bridgestone family. Other
has been a boon. “In the last two years,
“We are a wholly-owned division of
additions to the group were made along
eastern Canada has had significant snowy
Bridgestone,” says Benoit Côté, general
the years, to create the current group of
winters, and Bridgestone Blizzak is a well-
manager of GCR Tire Centres in Canada.
locations all under the same name now
known and highly respected winter tire
“We have 40 stores, six truck retread
in Canada.
that’s seen by a lot of people as the best
plants, and one OTR retread plant. Six
14
deliver, mount, dismount and repair tires,
winter tire right now,” Côté says. “We’ve
of our locations are in Ontario, 22 are
In total, there are some 200 stores across
done very well with it lately. As you know,
in Quebec, and 12 are in the Atlantic
the two countries, handling everything
in Quebec they implemented a legislation
Provinces.” The six truck retread plants
from passenger car and light truck tires,
that made mandatory use of winter tires,
are Bandag franchises.
to medium- and heavy-duty trucks, mining,
so we had a very busy fall, and a fairly
Photos: Marie-Josée Rousseau
Pierre Gareau, Retread Operations coordinator, Benoit Côté, general manager, and Bruno Cloutier,
Truck and OTR Retread plant manager—Quebec City
opportunities in mining, and when there
were big mining projects, they had a tendency to put a location there,” Côté says.
Retreads are popular
Retreads are naturally very popular in the
trucking business and also in the mining
industry. The company produces retreads
for everything from highway truck tires to
the 51-inch mining tires that can stand
almost as tall as twelve feet. “They’re
expensive, and there was a shortage for
a long time due to high demand, and
customers had a hard time finding them,”
Côté says. “We retread most of those, and
it works very well. For OTR, we use hot
or cold capping. In hot capping, we put
uncured rubber around a casing and cure
it while molding it, or sculpting the tread
design after curing. The cold capping
process is similar to the one we use for
truck tires, applying the pre-cured tread
on a prepared casing. We use the Bandag
process for our truck retreads. We have
six manufacturing plants, spread out from
Ontario to Newfoundland, which is definitely an asset.”
A large network
busy spring as well when it was time to
about the tires once they have been put
GCR Canada is part of a large network
take them off.
on the vehicle.”
of tire centers, which include GCR Tire
“We expect another busy winter. We
Close to the customer
think this new legislation influenced
Much of the company’s success lies in being
people in Ontario and Atlantic Provinces
close to the customer, and in the case of
to believe in the importance of having
mining, that means having locations near
the right tires in winter for safe driving.
gold, copper and iron ore mines in north-
In today’s world, people want a safe ride,
western Quebec, including Val D’Or and
and a good premium tire will provide
Chibougamau; in Wabush, Newfoundland
that to them. They get good mileage out
and Labrador; and in northern Ontario,
of their products, and they don’t think
with two locations in Sudbury. “GCR saw
Centres in the U.S. and Canada, White
Tire Centres, and TDS, all owned by
Bridgestone.
COMPANY SNAPSHOT
Name
Address
Founded in
GCR Tire Centres
5770 Hurontario Street, Ste 400,
Mississauga Ontario L5R 3G5
Phone
Fax
Website
1-877-468-6270
Number of
employees:
905-568-2364
www.gcrtires.com
Brands sold
400
Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton,
Bandag
1945 in the U.S.; acquisitions in Canada took the GCR name in 2002
15
Jil McIntosh
[email protected]
Doing Business With Asia
It’s All About Building Relationships
Once a place that was all but a mystery to most North Americans, the Asian Pacific area is now
a major force in manufacturing and exportation. At some point in your business, China will have
an impact. The key is forming established and trusting relationships with Chinese companies,
according to Grant Taylor, president of Asia Pacific Products, and chairman of China Pacific
Holdings.
H
is company manufactures tires in
prepaying even prior to that will help build
its own molds in China; in addi-
a relationship, which is a cornerstone of
tion, it represents those factories
Chinese commerce. “If you have no relationship, you have nothing,” Taylor says.
in Canada as their agent, and markets the
factory flag label.
Protect yourself and your products
Relationships and due diligence
Layers of insurance are also essential:
“Doing business in another country is not
marine cargo, in case something happens
like doing business in Canada,” he says.
in transit, as well as product liability in-
“It’s a very long process, beginning with
surance. North American manufacturers
the opening of a relationship, followed
carry that themselves, but Chinese ven-
by a lot of due diligence. There are many
dors don’t necessarily have it, or unfore-
factories, not only in China but in other de-
seen circumstances may crop up, such as
veloping countries, that don’t really under-
a company that goes out of business, or
stand the laws within Canada. Part of the
lets the policy lapse without warning. “It
relationship is one of cooperative spirit,
isn’t that China is neglectful, but that it
to ensure that the products made there
is emerging,” Taylor says. “I went through
are engineered and tested properly, and
this in the tire business 30 and 40 years
ago, with Japan and South Korea. It’s an
then tested properly back here in North
America, and conform to our laws.”
Taylor travels to China at least three times
Grant Taylor, president of Asia Pacific Products, and
chairman of China Pacific Holdings.
long as countries around the world become industrialized.”
a year, and has been making the long trek
Ignore the horror stories
regularly since he began his business ven-
Cultural differences are not a problem,
The U.S. dollar is the global standard in
ture in 2000. He warns that there isn’t re-
Taylor says; ignore any horror stories
China, and that’s what you’ll use for your
ally much point in buying small quantities
of how a fumbled chopstick or mispro-
transactions; local currency is used only
of tires from China, as the cost of insur-
nounced word could sink your venture. “I
for products sold domestically.
ance and testing would quickly wipe out
speak a little Chinese and can get by, but
any profit. If you’re serious about dealing
only with the basics,” he says. “At factories,
“China is a wonderful country, and the
with China, consider it a major, long-term
English is spoken by virtually everyone in
people are very friendly and considerate,”
endeavor. “O.K. Tire is a shareholder in
the export department. English is learned
Taylor says. “Be prepared to visit and
Asia Pacific,” he says. “Asia Pacific has
in the school system.”
to work hard there. And one of the nice
had a very long, rewarding and mutually
16
evolving process that will never stop as
things is that every day, no matter how
beneficial relationship with O.K. Tire, and
But China does operate differently on
difficult the business day has been, at
they made this move to better access the
other levels. Goods must be paid for in
the end, there’s always a wonderful meal,
tire manufacturers in China.”
full before they leave the factory, and
good humor, and laughter.”
canada inc.
www.odessacanada.com
tel: 1-800-363-8337
Fax: 1-450-534-4500
[email protected]
Jil McIntosh
[email protected]
Tune-ups
They’re Not Just for Cars Anymore…
Do you know exactly what’s happening inside your shop?
F
or many years, I worked as an auto
service desk, and give it a glance
• Too-rigid rules: One shop’s owner hit
service department “fixer.” I’d go
regularly. If names aren’t crossed
the roof if a phone rang more than
into shops that were behind on their
off, ask your staff for an update. This
twice. As a result, customers at the
accounts, repair the damage, and retrain
will get them in the habit of follow-
counter would be interrupted two or
people.
ing up. If it’s an all-day job, call the
three times as the advisor cut them
customer halfway through with an
off to pick up the phone. One finally
I worked with the shop staff, not the
update, which goes a long way toward
turned and left. If customer service is
owner, and I know that employees sel-
customer satisfaction.
an issue, you may need to retrain your
staff, or add an extra body to better
dom act the same way when the boss is
around. I saw habits that cut deeply into
• Smoke breaks: How often and how
productivity and customer satisfaction. In
long are your employees stepping out
each case, the shop owner knew some-
for a puff? I counted one who, in addi-
• Inspect the final product: Check
thing was wrong, but couldn’t pinpoint the
tion to her scheduled breaks, racked
vehicles occasionally before they’re
problems.
up an extra hour over the course of
handed back. Is the steering wheel
each day outside the back door. To
clean, are the grimy paper floor
her, it was “just a minute out there.”
mats gone, and have all tools been
But cigarette or not, be sure everyone
removed?
Does your shop need a tune-up?
Watch for these:
• Customer communication issues:
steps away from the job momentarily
These are common if the customer
but regularly throughout the day: it
Smooth-running shops don’t happen
talks to a service advisor, who then
improves overall productivity. Check
by themselves. It takes good employ-
passes information to the tech. It’s
the stress level on busy days and, if
ees, but it also takes a good boss.
even worse if you have a separate
possible, throw in a few minutes of
Don’t micro-manage, but don’t stand
parts department that adds a third
extra down time.
too far back: make sure you know
exactly what’s going on,
person to the mix. I saw the customer’s complaints incorrectly described
Watch for consistent time offenders.
and you’ll see the
to the technician (usually because the
An occasional slip-up is normal, but
results.
advisor didn’t write everything down);
someone who’s always three minutes
advisors “pre-diagnosing” the prob-
late from lunch is stealing 15 minutes
lem, so the tech wasn’t necessarily
of your time every week.
fixing the right problem; neglecting to
call the customer when backordered
• Don’t ignore squabbles: You’ll feel
parts came in; and not calling as soon
like a babysitter at times, but there
as the job was finished. In one case,
will be personality clashes. Left un-
the customer sat an extra half-hour
treated, they can affect productiv-
in the waiting room because no one
ity and even customer relations.
thought to tell him his car was done!
And remember that you’re not
immune. Don’t target an em-
18
distribute the workload.
In a busy shop, a simple solution
ployee you personally don’t
might be old-fashioned pen and paper,
like, and try not to play fa-
which often prompts the memory bet-
vourites, which can cause
ter than a computer screen will. Have
resentment among others
a list of the day’s customers on the
if you take it too far.
1994-2009: 15 YEARS OF INNOVATION AND ACHIEVEMENT
New name and corporate identity.
A new challenge: a diversified line of multiplatform products.
Acquisition of new corporate headquarters.
An investment in the future: Rousseau is here to stay!
Strong leadership with new family members joining the team.
A transition in time and continuity.
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Jil McIntosh
[email protected]
Build Your Business
Focus on Profitability
Profits don’t just happen by themselves.
T
he word “profit” comes from Latin,
an eye on your competitors, too: where do
and it essentially means to “make
they advertise, and what days do they usu-
progress.” And that’s precisely what
ally run? You might not want their names
profit does for your business: it keeps it
to be the only ones people see when they
running and allows you to move forward.
pick up the paper.
There will be leaner and fatter years, but
you must focus on profitability if your
Be aggressive with your database market-
business is going to survive, and then to
ing, and use your computer programs to
thrive.
their full potential. It’s wasteful to send
blanket letters to customers who have just
Achieving and sustaining profitability is a
had their fall maintenance done. Instead,
major theme for Tom Shay of Profits+Plus;
use your database to identify those who
his website, www.profitsplus.org, contains
need a reminder to come in.
information, advice, and numerous free
downloadable tools to help maximize re-
Ask customers what they think
turn. His site covers all aspects of retail,
Customer surveys will give you an idea of
but whether you’re selling tires, tooth-
how your clients view your business. Ask
brushes or toasters, the principles are the
them why they come to you, where else
same. Some of his suggestions include:
they go, and what they’d like to see in your
Learn the financial side
or five questions, and they’ll lose interest.
Certainly you have an accountant, but
Ask what you can do to improve your busi-
he or she is working with your money.
ness for them.
Understanding what your money is doing
can be fundamental to operating your
Hold semi-annual job reviews
business profitably—especially since
Raises should be given on merit, not
your accountant undoubtedly won’t be
on longevity, Shay says. Your employ-
as knowledgeable about the tire industry
ees should have job descriptions, which
as you are. Shay suggests that if you’re
will allow you to set goals; the employee
not familiar with it, consider enrolling in a
would then be working to meet these
Use cash flow plans
basic accounting class at a local college: it
goals, knowing there will be a pay evalua-
Shay’s website contains several tools that
can help you make better decisions, and
tion in six months.
will help you track and understand your
you’ll know what questions to ask your
accountant.
Keep your employees informed
Achieving and sustaining profitability is a major
theme for Tom Shay of Profits+Plus.
cash flow. Keeping tabs will help minimize
the effect of problems and point out op-
They don’t have to see the books, but
portunities for growth. You can’t run your
they should have a good idea of how the
business profitably if you only check your
Shay suggests creating a 12-month mar-
business is functioning financially. This will
progress when the accountant balances
keting plan. If you run advertisements, it
help them understand how small changes
the books. You should know what it costs
will avoid last-minute decisions, and will
can affect profitability and stability. Shay
to run your shop on a daily basis, and
give you the opportunity to negotiate con-
says that most also think their employers
every day, you should know if you met that
tracts with your media outlets, which can
are making more money than they really
number. Profitability doesn’t just happen
save you substantially over the cost of in-
are, which can lead to expectations of size-
at year-end. It’s an ongoing process that’s
dividual ads placed at random times. Keep
able raises at any time.
worth the time and trouble it takes.
Be aggressive with marketing
20
shop. Make it short: any more than four
Jil McIntosh
How Are You Handling Telephone Shoppers?
[email protected]
Your Telephone Staff Make All the
Difference, Says J.D. Power
He can be an aggravation, or a prime opportunity: the shopper who calls numerous stores to get
the best possible price. And according to Chris Denove, vice president of operational research
at J.D. Power and Associates, you could be making an expensive error in not putting your best
salespeople on the line when he calls.
“
Y
ou’re a click away from losing that
Schwab, it was doubly dangerous be-
Finish with a “call to action”
customer completely,” Denove says.
cause the brand they most recommended
How your employee ends the call is vitally
“The salesperson needs to do more
was less well-recognized.”
important as well. Following up immedi-
assessment and fact-finding before he
ately with a “call to action” can make
makes a recommendation. Spend sixty
Focusing on attributes
seconds finding out what the ‘hot button’
The survey found that salespeople tend to
appointment, or mentioning that sales
is, and then tailor the recommendation
focus on specific attributes: for example,
may end soon. One retailer that con-
to the needs of the customer. Based on
those recommending Michelin most often
sistently did this rated very well, even
our research, that simply isn’t happening
stressed quiet ride and fuel efficiency,
though its quotes were typically $100
enough.”
while those endorsing Goodyear focused
over its closest competitor. Naturally, a
on price, value, and special promotions.
straight quote followed by “thanks for
What are your employees
recommending?
or break the sale—trying to set up an
calling, goodbye” is something your call“We don’t have an opinion on whether
ers should never hear.
A J.D. Power survey made more than
it’s good or bad to recommend a tire
4,000 anonymous calls to 2,100 differ-
on one attribute or another, but what
Sell your telephone callers short, and
ent U.S. retail tire locations during 2008
is important is that the salesperson
you’re selling your shop short. Price
and 2009. In each case, the request was
be able to easily and quickly articulate
shoppers shouldn’t be considered an an-
identical: same vehicle, same questions.
why they’re recommending a particular
noyance, but an opportunity to bring in a
The variable was in the replies, Denove
brand,” Denove says. “Customers don’t
new customer—and you won’t do that un-
says: Les Schwab, a western U.S. retailer,
want a salesperson who doesn’t seem
less your employees do everything they
was the highest-priced at $687 for four
knowledgeable.”
can to win him over.
surprisingly, Wal-Mart was the lowest,
The customer may just want a quick
“There’s a reason that great salespeople
at $467.
quote, but “a salesperson needs to be
make a lot of money: they’re worth it,”
tires, followed by Sears at $627. Not
22
a salesperson, not just an order clerk,”
Denove says. “The people dealing with
“It doesn’t necessarily mean that Sears
Denove says. He adds that this is the rea-
these people over the phone can’t just be
and Les Schwab are tire-for-tire more
son why tire shops consistently outper-
clerks. They need to be salespeople.”
expensive,” Denove says. “It means their
form mass-marketers such as Wal-Mart in
salespeople are gravitating toward rec-
J.D. Power surveys. Your employee needs
ommending higher-line tires, and that’s
to take the time to determine what’s im-
where they need to be careful. If these
portant—safety, fuel efficiency, perform-
salespeople would take a little more time
ance, long tread life or whatever—and
and talk to their customers, you’d see a
tailor the tire to the customer’s needs,
narrower price range. In the case of Les
not just to his wallet.
Tom Gravalos, VP
Marketing, Motorsports
and OE Sales for Pirelli
Tire North America,
was Anthony Paulozza’s
guest at the Pirelli Suite
at Le Circuit GillesVilleneuve.
Éric Descarries
[email protected]
Tom Gravalos in Montréal
Racing Is Important to Pirelli
Two years ago, Italian manufacturer Pirelli picked up not only the sponsorship but also the
function of providing racing tires to the Grand Am series. This American sports car racing series
was once tied with Hoosier tires. But why would Pirelli be identified to the Grand Am series?
W
ho better than Tom Gravalos,
business, but also for the brand aware-
performance products very well. We then
v i c e p re s i d e n t , M a r ke t i n g ,
ness. Please note that we are also in the
use this racing technology and adapted
Motorsports, and OE Sales for
VW TDI Cup series, the Ferrari Challenge,
it to the street, whether it is with tires
Pirelli North America to answer the ques-
and the Pirelli Porsche Cup. In Europe, we
for the dry or the wet. It goes both ways,
tion? Tire News caught up with Gravalos
are also very present in rallying. But we
you see—Pirelli is associated to sports
at the NASCAR NAPA Auto Parts 200 last
needed to enhance the North American
cars, so Grand Am seems like the right
August in Montréal as he was overseeing
image of our products. As you might know,
venue!”
the tire operations for the Grand Am race
we are more and more present on North
held Saturday afternoon at the world re-
American cars as original equipment, on
Finally, Gravalos pointed out that Pirelli
nowned Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve thanks to
sporty cars like the Ford Mustang and the
is so involved in racing that the Italian
Anthony Paulozza, Marketing director for
Chevrolet Camaro.
tiremaker opened a state of the art tech
Pirelli Canada.
center for racing tires in Turkey and what
The right venue
we saw on the track at Le Circuit Gilles-
“Pirelli has been in racing since 1907,”
“We see a theme developing,” continues
Villeneuve is a result of what’s made in
began Gravalos. “We have been in Grand
Gravalos. “Grand Am racing helps us
Turkey. As for Tom, he is based in Rome,
Am racing for the last two years not only
promote our products across the contin-
GA where Pirelli also makes state-of-the-
because motorsports help us evolve in our
ent. And racing matches many of our
art computer-built performance tires.
Pirelli was ready for the rain.
Anthony Paulozza (l.) and Nicola Colombo greeted many
Pirelli guests for the Grand Am race in Montréal.
Pirelli tires are used on many types of Grand Am racers.
In the paddocks, the Pirelli tire team was busy with racing teams.
The Pirelli racing tire used in the
Grand-Am series is the P Zero.
Pirelli Canada’s Robert Thibodeau
(2nd from the right) also greeted quite
a few customers.
23
Éric Descarries
[email protected]
Winter Tires
How to Tell Your Customers
They Really NEED Winter Tires
Today’s cars have evolved to a point where many people think they are so safe in them that
nothing bad will ever happen. Indeed, newer cars now come with traction control, stability control, lane departure warning, braking assist and even (almost) collision avoidance at low speed.
But, no matter what, weather still can play tricks on any vehicle. Rain sensors might trigger
windshield wipers, darkness might activate the lights, but nothing can help a driver detect ice
or, worse, black ice on the road. This is where winter tires come in handy.
W
hether we like it or not, there is
they need to have snow tires because
“I have four new or almost new all-
winter everywhere in Canada.
they will tell you they NEVER drive in the
season tires… they should do fine.” This
Granted, there are areas that
snow. Unfortunately, though winter tire
is one of the toughest sells. Obviously,
are milder—though they still get their oc-
technology has evolved, too many people
with time, motorists in Canada have grown
casional snow fall or snow storm and even
still think about “snow tires.” Nowadays,
accustomed to the so-called “all-season”
cold snap—but nowhere in this country
the industry talks about “winter tires”
tires. But lately, it has been proven by
can you hide from Old Man Winter. And
because these new products were de-
the rubber industry that the rubber com-
that is why there are winter tires on the
veloped not only for snowy roads, but
pounds used to make most all-season
market. So why isn’t everyone using win-
also for icy roads and cold pavement.
tires hardens at 7ºC thus decreasing their
ter tires on their vehicles during the cold
Some manufacturers even like to refer to
traction capabilities. Winter tires are built
season?
them as “tires for the cold.” One has to
with totally different compounds that are
stop and look carefully at each manufac-
not only softer than the one found in all-
turer’s technical data on its winter tires
season tires, but they are combined with
First of all, one of the expressions to ban
to see how they were designed to surpass
unique tread patterns that help the tire
from your technical vocabulary are the
any all-season tire.
get better grip on wet pavement or even
Winter tires, not snow tires!
more on ice—which is generally covered
words “snow tires.” Indeed, many of your
customers will never accept the fact that
Understanding the outcome, the Quebec
with an almost invisible film of water that
government made winter tires mandatory
makes it very slippery.
15 for each and every lightweight vehicle
Another argument will go like this: “If it
registered in the province and in use
doesn’t snow, I will wear out my winter
in winter, no matter what the road and
tires very fast.” Actually, one part is true.
weather conditions are. Other Canadian
The winter tires will wear out—but so will
provinces are looking at the situation but
any other tire! Better put all the chances
few of them are thinking of passing such a
on your side and use all the advantages
law. Consequently, it’s up to motorists to
of winter tires… while the summer or all-
judge how important winter tires might be
season tires taken off the car stop wearing
for them. And tire salespeople should be
for a few months!
able to help them!
Always the same arguments
Winter tires are definitely efficient.
24
How about this one: “Why should I pay
more for winter tires?” This is an easy one
The first argument against winter tires you
to answer. Let’s say that a set of four good
will hear from just about any customer is:
winter tires set a customer back $550 to
last year, from December 15 to March
Even performance cars can benefit from winter tires.
car becomes just the same as any other
be sold out and difficult, probably impos-
vehicle. Braking and turning can only be
sible, to find.
improved by the use of winter tires.
With time, Canadian motorists will under-
AWD vehicles still work better with winter tires.
Oh yeah! And the noise winter tires make?
stand all the advantages of running win-
Well, it seems to be disappearing more
ter tires during the cold season, even if
and more depending on the tire brand
it doesn’t snow in their area. Many will
or design. In an area where it snows very
understand that spending all that money
little but where the pavement becomes
for new safety features on a new car will
cold very often, a tire specifically designed
be useless until they also spend the few
for ice purposes would be the answer.
hundred dollars more to get the best trac-
$600. Granted, it is a big expense—but
Studded tires are noisy and less and less
tion possible on the road.
what if in a cold pavement condition, your
popular, especially with today’s techno-
customer has to brake hard (even at slow
logically advanced winter tires. But they
Finally, remind your customers that their
speed) to avoid hitting another car or any
are recommended in very cold and icy
life and the lives of their loved ones ride
obstacle? Any good winter tire will stop
regions. But in that case, residents of
on four small contact patches on the road.
a car or light truck in a shorter distance
such areas know what they are looking
So why spend thousands of dollars in
than a harder-compound all-season tire.
for! Remember—a winter tire is always a
technologically advanced radios, naviga-
Those few feet might avoid the contact
compromise… as long as it is the best one
tion systems and safety items if the vehicle
and, at the same time, save the customer
for your customer!
isn’t glued to the road?
a lot of money and a lot of trouble, and an
increase in insurance premium… worth a
Don’t wait for the first snow fall!
lot more than a $550 to $600 investment
Actually, many more people in Canada,
for the next three years!
out of Quebec, are beginning to recognize
the usefulness of winter tires as pointed
The worst argument has to be this one: “I
out by a few major tire representatives
own an all-wheel (or four-wheel) drive
met by Tire News late in September at a
vehicle. I don’t need winter tires.” That
new tire business opening. One of them
has to be the most common and yet wrong
has even told Tire News that the ROC
argument. Obviously, all-wheel drive or
has ordered more winter tires than ever
four-wheel drive vehicles are very practical
this year. So that means motorists with
for coming out of a snow bank or accel-
the most common cars should not wait
erating on ice. But there is NO danger
until the very first signs of winter (like a
there! Actually, just about any tire will do
snowfall) to buy winter tires. They might
the job with a four-wheel drive or all-wheel
find themselves with a model and size of
drive vehicle. But, from there on, the
tire that is not available anymore. It might
Nowadays, there are even dedicated winter tires
for bigger pick-up trucks.
25
Éric Descarries
[email protected]
An Interesting But Limited Alternative
There are many
good products that
are “pinned” or
“studdable” on the
market.
Studded Tires Are
Still Available
In some northern countries of the world,
studded tires are a must.
But, there are limits set by many local
will limit the production of what they call
Scandinavian country next to Russia
governments on using studded tires on
“pinned” tires to lower speed index prod-
where winter is very long and very
public paved roads. Take for instance
ucts, though there are a few manufactur-
harsh. In most places, roads are not even
Quebec, one of the snowiest provinces in
ers that will produce some higher speed.
plowed to the pavement—even in Helsinki,
the country. Studded tires are permitted
Even the premium Nokian Hakkapeliitta
the capital! Therefore, just about every
from October 15 to May 1 for passenger
5 studded tire (studs are then factory
Finnish car, truck, and bus is equipped
vehicles weighing less than 3,000 kg only.
installed) have a limited T speed index
with studded tires. Local manufacturer
Ontario began permitting in 2005 what
(190 km/h).
Nokian has thus developed a speciality in
it calls lightweight Scandinavian studs,
designing and producing very advanced
but only for vehicles registered in the
In addition, don’t forget to tell your cus-
winter tires, including great studded tires.
Northern part of the province, including
tomers that if they install “pinned” tires
in the Parry Sound and Nippising area.
on their car without choosing the studs,
Canada has many regions that look very
As a matter of fact, studded tires are
they will not be able to have studs added
much like Finland. Some of its northern
permitted just about anywhere in Canada.
later on. In some cases, it is advisable to
areas also have many local roads where
Here is what we found concerning other
buy already studded tires (with studs that
studded tires are very appreciated. In
provinces:
are factory installed), but those are very
rare. And for those who think studs are
fact, not only are they a good idea, but
they’re also a safe decision, especially on
British Columbia
October 1 to April 30
the same as they were twenty years ago,
roads that are icy for a better part of the
Alberta
permitted
let them know that modern studs are en-
winter.
Saskatchewan
permitted
vironmentally friendly and that they will,
Manitoba
(ceramic or ceramic
core studs)
in most cases, wear out at about the same
New Brunswick
Today’s technology has encouraged the
Nova Scotia
use of studless tires for most urban and
PEI
October 1 to May 31
intercity use. Customers must be aware
Newfoundland
November 1 to April 30.
that studded tires are best used in almost
Yukon
permitted
Northwest Territories
permitted
Quite a choice
Consequently, if a customer asks for studded tires, make sure he is aware of some
of the restrictions that go with them, especially if he intends to travel to the United
States. Then, as far as choices are conSome manufacturers do install the
studs in the tires themselves.
26
cerned, in most cases, tire manufacturers
speed as the tires themselves.
extreme conditions, especially where icy
roads are involved. And yes,
they still are a little
noisy.
Studded tires are
great in snowy
regions where
roads are always
icy.
T
ake for instance Finland, a
Dave Redinger is a mechanic with over 40 years experience. He owns and operates
his own shop in the Toronto area. Dave hosts the neighbourhood Mechanic show,
heard on Chum 1050. The Neighbourhood Mechanic can be seen on Dave’s national
Television show on E Channel. Both shows deal with automotive issues.
Dave Redinger
garage Business
[email protected]
The 5 Year Plan
Success requires planning. Stop what you’re doing, sit down,
and plan your future.
F
or many years now, I have been
with our short-term issues that we fail to
Personally, my goal is to slow down and
involved with the media. What
see far beyond the next week, next month,
hand the shop off. I have been in the trade
started out as a regular guest ap-
next quarter.
for close to 45 years and would like to see
my employees take over and continue to
pearance on a local TV call-in show has
lead to my own television projects across
The secret to success lies in the simple
operate the company. In fact, succession
the country.
question, “Where do I see myself and how
planning happens to be a major part of the
do I get there?”
discussions we have within my peer group. I
guess we are all getting
Although I love what I
do and enjoy the benefits, let me tell you—it
Where do you want to be in the next five years?
Whether the next five
wasn’t easy. In fact, we
produced over 550 con-
older.
or ten years will require
secutive radio programs over the last nine
Power of peers
a succession plan because you want to see
years, plus three seasons of television…
Recently we attended the NAPA AUTOPRO
your business carry on, whether your goal is
and that’s on top of running my own shop,
convention in Southern Ontario where a
to grow your customer base, or whether you
writing columns like this one, etc.
group of associate AUTOPROs and I gave
plan to expand and sell franchises, getting
a talk on the benefits of working with our
there requires a plan. So why not take a few
peer group to resolve issues we all may
minutes now, sit down with the people that
Starting out and being new to the radio/
run into. NAPA refers to this association
are most important to you and talk about
TV industry, we hired a mentor to help us
as a “Business Development Group.”
your goals?
ence in the radio and television business.
The benefits of a peer group are endless.
Take the time to come up with a plan and then
It was during our first meeting that he
Having the ability to bounce ideas off
figure out how to put it into action. Moreover,
asked me a question that was so simple,
other shop owners and listening to a var-
make sure to do the planning sooner rather
yet so profound that I still use it today as a
iety of possible solutions goes a long way
than later. Time flies when your havin’ fun.
business philosophy: “Where do you want
to helping you reach your goals.
Five years is not that long off.
Million-dollar question
out—a professional with years of experi-
to be in the next five years?”
All too often we get so wrapped up and
busy with day-to-day affairs that we forget
to plan for the future. But if you don’t
know where you want to be in five or ten
years, how will you get there? How will
you succeed in business and in life if you
haven’t defined what success means to
you and where you want to be in a given
amount of time?
Where do you see yourself and your business and how are you going to get there?
It seems to me that we are so wound up
This article was originally published in the July 2009 of CASP Magazine.
38
| CASP | July 2009 | www.autosphere.ca |
27
Networking Breakfast Series
Jil McIntosh
[email protected]
Getting Together for Business
Breakfast
Meeting people in person helps your business grow.
O
n August 26, business people tum-
more receptive.”
Déjeune
n e t wo r k i n g
r é s a u t a g e
Communication. It’s not simply an Internet
copy of the magazine, but rather, an inter-
bled early out of bed and made
their way to Toronto’s Marriott
The events include a get-together where
active site where you can find news up-
Hotel for a very productive morning: one of
people can meet over a meal, and then an
dated to the minute, pictorials and videos,
the Rousseau Automotive Communication
introduction of each participant, followed
an events calendar, magazine subscription
Networking Breakfast Series, presented
by a keynote speaker. In this case, it was
information, and an opportunity to adver-
by autosphere.ca.
Darren Slind of J.D. Power and Associates,
tise your business. It’s also supplemented
who introduced a survey on the potential
by a weekly electronic newsletter; sub-
The series began in May, and this was
of the aftermarket—an estimated $8 bil-
scribing to it is free and easy from the por-
the third one held in Toronto, along with
lion in neglected service and repairs—and
tal. Rousseau says it’s the only Canadian
four in Montreal. More are planned for
outlined how businesses could tap into
Internet site dedicated to the business of
this year and next, the exact number de-
this area of prospective growth.
automotive collision, mechanical repair,
pending on interest.
An opportunity to meet people
Introductions on your behalf
fleets, and tires.
Getting an invitation to the breakfast ser-
Upcoming forum and exposition
“It gives people an opportunity to get out of
ies is simple: all you have to do is ask, by
He also took the opportunity to introduce
their daily routines, and to network,” said
emailing Jean Boutzis at jean.boutzis@
the Automotive Remarketing Canadian
publisher and founder Remy Rousseau.
autosphere.ca. But if you can’t make it in
Forum & Expo, which will be held at
“We invite all segments of the industry. At
person, and you want an introduction to
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario on May 12
the first one, someone met people at the
another business owner, Rousseau re-
and 13, 2010. This exclusive networking
breakfast and he ended up doing business
minds everyone to “call on us, and we will
opportunity will bring together industry
with him. People don’t have an opportun-
make the introduction on your behalf.”
leaders, with forums, guest speakers,
ity to meet many other people these days;
presentations, keynote speakers and, of
they’re busy, and they’re stuck at their
The meetings are also an introduction
course, the opportunity for golf. Visit auto-
computers. If we get our customers to do
to autosphere.ca, the new Web portal
sphere.ca for more information.
business together, our partners will be
introduced by Rousseau Automotive
Darren Slind of
J.D. Power explains
research information.
Larry Jeffries, executive vice president of CARSTAR Canada; Janet
Taylor, of the Clean Air Foundation; Richard Bannister, president,
RS Finishing; and Mark Brazeau, president, AIA Canada.
Omar Majeed, Marketing manager, Farmbro Van & Truck Equipment; Stephen
Pascoe, director of Customer Service, Ahearn & Soper; and Joe Mercanti,
Ontario & Western Canada Regional Sales manager, Bosal Canada.
The autosphere.ca team: Remy
Rousseau, Jean Boutzis, Leanne
Blackborow, and Alain Gariepy.
Jay Perro, CEO of Automotive Business Consultants; and
Darren Slind, senior director of Client Solutions, J.D. Power
and Associates.
The guests take in a presentation by
Darren Slind of J.D. Power and Associates.
28
| www.autosphere.ca | October 2009 | CASP |
43
INDUSTRY NEWS
New Labelling for Tires in Europe
On October 1 2009, the European Parliament Industry Committee
and Council negotiators came up with a political agreement on a
labelling system for tires. This labelling system is loosely based on
some labelling used for household appliances in Europe. If everything goes according to plan, in three
years from now, all new tires on sale in
Europe will be classified and labelled according to fuel efficiency, wet grip, and
noise performance. The tire label will use
classes ranging from best performance
(green “A” class) to worst performance
(red “G” class). Other than showing how
the tire might affect the car’s fuel efficiency, it will also give more information
about its performance in wet conditions and the noise it will produce
in decibels. In answer to the comments voiced by the European Tire
and Rubber Manufacturer’s Association pointing out that customers
will not physically see the tire and, obviously, its sticker before it is
installed on the car and so, the measure would not have the desired
effect, the E.U. has answered that the ratings will also have to be
shown in catalogues, leaflets and online marketing in order to better
inform the consumer.
Michelin Launches an
International Promotion
In early October, Michelin launched its first ever global advertising
campaign. Its theme, The right tire changes everything, was and still
is intended to illustrate
the competitive advantage of Michelin’s tires
in media outlets all
around the world. This
global campaign first
explains to consumers
the benefits of using
Michelin tires (choosing
the right tire can, according to Michelin, reduce fuel consumption,
increase driving safety,
and extend tread life).
To do so, the brand has
chosen a 3-D animated
presentation featuring
Bibendum, the famous
Michelin character, in
an animated world. The
worldwide campaign
was initially launched
in the U.S. and then gradually deployed in 55 countries starting
in Europe and Asia in early 2010 and then in Canada, Africa, the
Middle East, India, and South America.
Cooper Back to Full Production
Good news—business must be picking up! Cooper Tire announced
early in October that its Texarkana, Arkansas tire plant would be returning to full 24/7 operations at the beginning of 2010. And Cooper
will have to add 200 employees to support the added production
volume at the passenger and light truck tire plant. This announcement follows another Cooper announcement of expansion plans at
its Tupelo, Mississippi plant and the expected increase in production
volume at the company’s Findlay, Ohio plant.
ADVERTISERS
autosphere.ca
www.autosphere.ca
31
Atlas Tire Wholesale
www.atlastire.com
Continental Tire
www.continentaltire.ca
5
Duret & Landry
www.duretlandry.com
9
GCR Tire Centres
www.gcrtires.com
2
Kumho Tires
www.kumhotire.ca
21
NAPA
www.napaonline.ca
11
Odessa Canada
www.odessacanada.com
17
ROUSSEAU
Automotive Communication
www.autosphere.ca
19
TIREMAX
www.tiremax.ca
32
7, 13
29
Emission System
Exhaust Technology—
So Much Better Today!
The environment today is a very large issue… emissions just can’t keep happening if we are to
breathe good air. That’s why exhaust manufacturers have really stepped up to the plate and gotten their systems on the right track.
T
he exhaust system of any vehicle—
is combusted completely. The catalytic
companies who produce converters make
especially the newer models—con-
converter is specifically designed to re-
different models—the universal fit for
ducts a series of essential vehicle
duce harmful emissions from the exhaust
custom jobs that require fabrication and
emissions functions. You know what they
of a “properly tuned” combustion engine.
welding plus direct fit for easy installa-
are, but can you interpret them for your
In essence, the converter transforms
tion. Most manufacturers make both
customer so they know exactly what you
harmful pollutants into less-harmful
models for pre-OBDll vehicles (1995 and
need to do to get their vehicle into the
emissions.
older) and post-OBDll vehicles (1996 and
“non-polluting” level?
The exhaust system has many functions:
to maintain engine performance, to carry
Catalytic converters sometimes fail and
exhaust gases safely to the rear of the
you need to tell your customers that this
Choose correctly
vehicle, to reduce the engine’s sound level,
can happen and, if it does, that it’s an
The large exhaust system manufactur-
and to reduce harmful emissions by using
expensive maintenance item to replace.
ers make catalytic converters for both
a catalytic converter.
We’re told that converters do not fail
domestic and import vehicles. They all
on their own… they have help! If your
design and produce exhaust systems
customer complains that the engine is
that have OE form, fit, and function, in
Lots of factors also determine why an
running roughly, smoke is coming out of
fact, most of these companies produce
exhaust system needs to be replaced
the tailpipe, or that the Check Engine or
exhaust systems for car manufactur-
in order to control harmful emissions
Service Engine Soon light is on, it could
ers and pass that expertise onto their
and to maintain safe vehicle operation.
be the converter. The most common
aftermarket products. As a professional
Materials differ from manufacturer to
cause of failure of a catalytic converter is
technician, you have an economic choice,
manufacturer and some are less effective
overheating; other causes are plugged or
better choice, and best choices to offer
than others so you are better off recom-
contaminated substrate, thermal shock,
your customer and to better meet their
mending a “brand” name product. The
physical damage (road debris, collisions,
specific budget needs when you suggest
condition of exhaust components in the
etc.), and factors such as leaking vacuum
name brand products.
system is another consideration along
hoses, carbon build-up, etc. In other
with vehicle usage. And, of course, there
words, usually other emissions system
Ta ke a l o o k a t t h e Wa l ke r, B o s a l ,
are environmental aspects such as weath-
components contribute to the converter
Maremont, or UltraFit websites. You find
er, temperature, road conditions, etc.
failure. The catalytic converter is de-
a lot of information there along with what
signed to last the lifetime of the vehicle
catalytic converter and exhaust system
The catalytic converter—part of the
but you must remind your customers that
fits what vehicle.
vehicle’s exhaust system—is, according to
this longevity depends on proper vehicle
Walker Exhaust, “the main line of defense
maintenance.
Why replacement is needed
against vehicle emissions air pollution.”
30
newer) and I’m sure Maremont, UltraFit,
Sometimes catalytic
converters fail
Bosal, Walker, etc. all have these types
available.
www.walkerexhaust.com
www.bosal.com
Emission control systems are a necessity
You also need to put the correct catalytic
www.maremont.com
because not every hydrocarbon molecule
converter on the vehicle and most exhaust
www.ultrafitmanufacturing.com
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Pierre Bissonnette
[email protected]
Pierre Bissonnette was the technical instructor for a major aftermarket manufacturer. He holds a teaching certificate in andragogy – which is the art and science of helping
adults, whose general education has been cut short, in their learning process.
Pierre Bissonnette
[email protected]
Guy O’Bomsawin
[email protected]
Guy O’Bomsawin
[email protected]
François Charron
[email protected]
François Charron
[email protected]
Shirley Brown
[email protected]
Shirley Brown
[email protected]
Jil McIntosh
[email protected]
Brian Early
[email protected]
Brian Early is a full-time automotive technician
in addition to his journalistic endeavours.
Brian Early
[email protected]
Éric Descarries
[email protected]
Éric Descarries
[email protected]
Jack Kazmierski
[email protected]
Jack Kazmierski
[email protected]
Jean-Roch Savard
[email protected]
Jean-Roch Savard
[email protected]
Raynald Bouchard
[email protected]
Raynald Bouchard
[email protected]
100
Rémy Rousseau
[email protected]
Mike Davey
[email protected]
Shirley Brown
[email protected]
Norm Rosen
[email protected]
Shirley Brown
Surtitre
[email protected]
Master anglais
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if the environment is considered while
research is being done in order to bring a
superior product to the marketplace.
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102
pratio od dui blaore diam-
Shirley Brown
A D V E RT O R I A L
[email protected]
exemple advertorial
Master Anglais
Exemple
advertorial pg droite
The way you proceed in business today likely depends on how well your shop is run—smoothly and
profitably, with the correct tools at your fingertips.
T
he profitable repair shop of today is
they don’t have any influence
clean and up-to-date—not just with
with shop owners in purchas-
the correct tools, but also computer
ing a system, but that’s not
software. Shop management software
really correct. They do, be-
is a must in order to run a successful
cause the shop owner is most
business.
comfortable with a specific
jobber and wants to be as in-
Marc St-Jacques, vice president of Sales
tegrated as possible with his
and Marketing for Carrus Technologies,
system. The jobber has his
had some suggestions for business suc-
system and a web tool that’s
cess. “Most shops need to simplify the
a transactional web site with a
estimate work order invoice process,”
parts catalogue fully integrat-
Marc states. “Our Shop Management
ed with the jobber system for
System has a lot of flexibility and func-
pricing and inventory. That al-
tionality. The key to success is to find,
lows an installer to buy a Shop
order, and invoice in one single lookup.
Management System without
Looking through catalogues can be time
buying a catalogue—the job-
consuming; entering it twice or more is a
ber’s system already has it. Therefore the
manually. Carrus has the ability to build
waste of time. At over $60 an hour, this
installer has extra value and information
kits to include all the materials used… in-
can amount to a shop’s profit in lost pro-
he doesn’t have to pay for. In this way, the
cluding the small items that are commonly
ductivity! For example, with our Autoway
jobber and installer work together.
forgotten. A ‘master kit’ can be built and
system, a shop has the ability to create
Marc St-Jacques, vice president
of Sales and Marketing for
Carrus Technologies
used each time for a specific job.
an estimate, send it online to its supplying
‘Managing’
jobber to verify pricing, get the labour,
“With a Shop Management System versus
The goal…
then bring it back into their estimate. On
off-the-shelf software, the system manages
“There are also a lot of reporting capabil-
the jobber’s end, he receives the order
‘appointments’ while most other software
ities within the platform. The whole goal
and prints it up… automatically. This is
doesn’t. This is the managing of bays and
of the system is to make the owner have
the way of today, not the future.”
time, something most technicians do not
a better view of running his business…
do well because they’re more interested
a dashboard to see how sales/profits are
in getting the job done and selling the
doing… a punch clock module to calculate
parts.”
the hours techs are able to invoice. They
Shop & jobber systems
Carrus is likely the only player in the
can also see the profitability on parts. A
marketplace that sells jobber systems
as well as repair shop systems. And let’s
Carrus Technologies has the ability to cre-
shop owner is really managing both parts
face it—the two really do go hand-in-
ate kits. These packages encompass not
and time.”
hand thus completing the whole chain
only parts but items that aren’t necessar-
of the ordering process because the two
ily considered ‘a part’—i.e. brake cleaner.
Marc has touched on many common sense
systems ‘share’ the information. This is a
Most installers don’t charge for brake
ideas that shops could well use to make
huge added value. “Many jobbers tell us
cleaner if they’re running their business
their business more profitable today.
103
AUTOMOTIVE SECTION
Leanne Blackborow [email protected]
Best Business Practises
Make a Lasting Impression
In today’s market it is essential for Automotive Service Providers to stand out from their competition. To make an impression that lasts, it takes more than just good service and quality
repairs. A little extra effort to please a customer, especially when it is not expected, goes a long
way to growing the business.
W
hen a customer experience ex-
simple would it be for the technician to
used consistently. When customers re-
ceeds expectations without cost-
take a moment and clean this up for the
ceive a value-added service on their first
ing them more, this is the “wow
customer as a courtesy?
visit, but do not receive the same experi-
factor.” Their purchase is perceived as
ence during the next purchase, they are
being value-added, and they will usually
“Another example is cleaning the inside of
disappointed. Their expectations will not
return to enjoy the same experience. There
the customer’s windshield to improve visi-
be met even if service and quality of work-
are several steps required to maximize the
bility. This can be accomplished in seconds
manship are adequate.
customer experience and the return on
by a shop with the right tool, but this task
investment for the repair facility.
is inconvenient for customers to do them-
Communicate with the customer
selves. One other example is to check and
By providing a value-added service, a
adjust the air pressure of the customer’s
shop may be going above and beyond
John R. Watt, manager of Petro-Canada
tires to specifications. This simple task re-
what would normally be expected. But if
Certigard and Automotive and current
duces gasoline consumption and ensures
they neglect the important communica-
AIA chairperson, explains several ex-
that the vehicle’s tires wear correctly.” Add
tion step, it will not be recognized and
amples of value-added services. “When
to this, that if they “know” they can expect
remembered. Communicate with the cus-
a customer brings their vehicle for ser-
this value-added service every time, the
tomer! When releasing the vehicle, tell the
vice during the winter and melting snow
probability that they always come back is
customer what value-added service was
has left a mess of water and dirt in the
increased immensely.
provided, explain how it benefits them,
Provide a value-added service
driver’s floor well, the guys could get
their pants stained and the ladies ruin
Consistency, a must
the heels of their expensive boots. How
The “wow factor” is effective only when
and promise to provide the same service
during future visits... this last item is key!
Create a process
The “wow factor” needs to be managed.
It must be a process. Every staff member
needs to understand the benefits to the
business of providing these extra services
and know exactly how to deliver them.
The best shops use a tracking report to
monitor the consistency of the item being
done... so that it is done every time.
Facilities that deliver the “wow factor” to
their customers provide a value-added
service, do it every time, tell the customer
what they did and promise to do it again
each time they visit. By implementing this
process your facility will experience inJohn R. Watt, manager of Petro-Canada Certigard and Automotive and current AIA chairperson, explains the “wow factor.”
104
creased customer loyalty and referrals.
Photo: Marie-Josée Rousseau
Results
Emission System
Exhaust Technology—
So Much Better Today!
The environment today is a very large issue… emissions just can’t keep happening if we are to
breathe good air. That’s why exhaust manufacturers have really stepped up to the plate and gotten their systems on the right track.
T
he exhaust system of any vehicle—
is combusted completely. The catalytic
companies who produce converters make
especially the newer models—con-
converter is specifically designed to re-
different models—the universal fit for
ducts a series of essential vehicle
duce harmful emissions from the exhaust
custom jobs that require fabrication and
emissions functions. You know what they
of a “properly tuned” combustion engine.
welding plus direct fit for easy installa-
are, but can you interpret them for your
In essence, the converter transforms
tion. Most manufacturers make both
customer so they know exactly what you
harmful pollutants into less-harmful
models for pre-OBDll vehicles (1995 and
need to do to get their vehicle into the
emissions.
older) and post-OBDll vehicles (1996 and
“non-polluting” level?
newer) and I’m sure Maremont, UltraFit,
The exhaust system has many functions:
Sometimes catalytic
converters fail
to maintain engine performance, to carry
Catalytic converters sometimes fail and
exhaust gases safely to the rear of the
you need to tell your customers that this
Choose correctly
vehicle, to reduce the engine’s sound level,
can happen and, if it does, that it’s an
The large exhaust system manufactur-
and to reduce harmful emissions by using
expensive maintenance item to replace.
ers make catalytic converters for both
a catalytic converter.
We’re told that converters do not fail
domestic and import vehicles. They all
on their own… they have help! If your
design and produce exhaust systems
customer complains that the engine is
that have OE form, fit, and function, in
Lots of factors also determine why an
running roughly, smoke is coming out of
fact, most of these companies produce
exhaust system needs to be replaced
the tailpipe, or that the Check Engine or
exhaust systems for car manufactur-
in order to control harmful emissions
Service Engine Soon light is on, it could
ers and pass that expertise onto their
and to maintain safe vehicle operation.
be the converter. The most common
aftermarket products. As a professional
Materials differ from manufacturer to
cause of failure of a catalytic converter is
technician, you have an economic choice,
manufacturer and some are less effective
overheating; other causes are plugged or
better choice, and best choices to offer
than others so you are better off recom-
contaminated substrate, thermal shock,
your customer and to better meet their
mending a “brand” name product. The
physical damage (road debris, collisions,
specific budget needs when you suggest
condition of exhaust components in the
etc.), and factors such as leaking vacuum
name brand products.
system is another consideration along
hoses, carbon build-up, etc. In other
with vehicle usage. And, of course, there
words, usually other emissions system
Ta ke a l o o k a t t h e Wa l ke r, B o s a l ,
are environmental aspects such as weath-
components contribute to the converter
Maremont, or UltraFit websites. You find
er, temperature, road conditions, etc.
failure. The catalytic converter is de-
a lot of information there along with what
signed to last the lifetime of the vehicle
catalytic converter and exhaust system
The catalytic converter—part of the
but you must remind your customers that
fits what vehicle.
vehicle’s exhaust system—is, according to
this longevity depends on proper vehicle
Walker Exhaust, “the main line of defense
maintenance.
Why replacement is needed
against vehicle emissions air pollution.”
Bosal, Walker, etc. all have these types
available.
www.walkerexhaust.com
www.bosal.com
Emission control systems are a necessity
You also need to put the correct catalytic
www.maremont.com
because not every hydrocarbon molecule
converter on the vehicle and most exhaust
www.ultrafitmanufacturing.com
105

October 2009 Issue

Transcription

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