Kansas City, Mo.--The Automotive Service Association of Missouri and Kansas (ASA-MO/KAN) had its monthly meeting at V's Restaurant in Kansas City on April 19, at which the more than 50 attendees heard about the possibilities in tire sales from speaker Bob Kotan, general manager of Tire Centers LLC.
Before Kotan's talk, Sheri Hamilton, executive director of ASA-MO/KAN, opened the meeting with an announcement about health insurance now available in Missouri and Kansas through ASA membership. Hamilton handed out fliers and invited members to call or visit the Web site for more information at 866-422-3303 or www.asashopmedicalplan.org. Kotan, speaking on "Trends in the Industry," pointed out that private-brand tires are losing in sales and that major brands are on the upswing. "Ford Motor Co. dealerships are focusing on the tire business, and in 2006 they had 3 percent of the market and are gearing up to do 10 percent by 2010."
On the other hand, Kotan said, "Big Box" people such as Wal-Mart are looking at reducing the number of their express lube and tire centers.
Kotan said repair shops can benefit from selling tires and should look at them as a part of their sales strategy. "A shop can make more money per bay hour with a semiskilled technician selling tires than it can selling other maintenance items," he said.
Kotan also handed out an overview for tire sales called "The Selling Process at a Glance." After his talk, he answered questions from the audience.
The next meeting will be May 17 at 6:30 p.m. on the subject being "Where are our Future Technicians." That meeting will be held at BTC Exhibit Hall (Room 2003), formerly the Kansas City Market Center. Call ASA-MO/KAN at 816-781-5801 to make a reservation.
The guest speaker will be Rich Echols with Automotive Youth Education Systems (AYES) and automotive instructors, including Stan Abrahamson of Longview Community College Automotive Program. The cost is $10 a person, which includes dinner. RSVP at 816-781-5801.
The AYES program, originally funded by the auto manufacturers, recently received a $2.2 million grant from the federal government to expand. This is another opportunity for independent automotive service facilities to be able to take part in a successful internship and mentoring program to help attract new technicians into our industry.
Comment on this article
Send This Link To Friend