The Modern Tire Dealer Show

The U.S. Senate has rolled back California's electric vehicle (EV) mandate — so what does that mean for tire dealers amping up their EV service business? Craig Van Batenburg has been in the hybrid and EV world for decades, and he spends his days training technicians how to safely work with high-voltage systems. Craig says tire dealers need to take the politics out of the EV conversation and focus on what really matters — caring for customers and their vehicles.

What does it mean to create a truly customer-centric environment at your tire dealership — and how can it benefit both your business and your team? Randy O'Connor, owner of D2D Development Group and MTD columnist, joins this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show to break it down. 

Is the customer always right? "No," says Dennis McCarron. Find out why in this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show.  

With an uncertain economy, more tariffs and the unpredictability of President Donald Trump, are private equity groups still as interested in tire dealerships as they have been in recent years? MTD's Mergers & Acquisitions Columnist Cole Strandberg weighs in on the current state of the market in 2025. He says private equity groups are seeking creative ways to join the tire industry.

NAPA Auto Care has a new program that helps technicians purchase the tools they need. Learn more on this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show.

In this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show, husband-and-wife duo Ini and Ijeoma Ibanga share their journey from running a traditional brick-and-mortar tire shop to launching their own mobile tire service, I&I Mobile Tire Services. Learn how they're revolutionizing the industry by delivering tire solutions directly to customers—whether at home, on the road, or on the job site. Tune in to hear how their innovative approach is redefining convenience and customer service in the tire business. 

Sponsored Podcast: In this special episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show, David Henry, sales development manager at Hunter Engineering Co.'s training department, discusses why you should get on-board with ADAS service and what's needed to make that happen.

In this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show, Aubrey Amborn, director of sales for NetDriven, provides advice on how to keep up with customers' shopping preferences so you can capture more business.

The Right to Repair movement is gaining momentum, and its impact on independent tire dealers is more significant than ever. In this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show, Bill Hanvey, president and CEO of the Auto Care Association, breaks down the latest legislative updates, what's at stake for tire dealers and how the industry can take action. Tune in to hear how these changes could affect your business and what you can do to stay ahead. 

Following the rules of safety is the best way to ensure tire dealers send their personnel home and in good health at the end of every workday. But Kevin Rohlwing, chief technical officer for the Tire Industry Association, says taking safety seriously also benefits your customers. “It's not just the health and safety of your employees. It's the health and safety of your customers.” We cover some of the basics of safety in a retail tire dealership with Rohlwing on this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show. To boost your tire dealership's safety knowledge even more, visit the TIA website to find the association's full year schedule of training.

In this special episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show, MTD's editors provide a preview of MTD's 2025 Facts Issue, our exclusive, comprehensive look at the U.S. tire industry. 

Operational changes Spencer Carruthers made during COVID-19 have become the "new normal" at his dealership, West Bridgewater, Mass.-based Kenwood Tire - and he couldn't be happier. Find out why in this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show. 

In this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show, Logan Wilks, vice president of Albertville, Ala.-based Wilks Tire & Battery Service, discusses how having "an infinite mindset" helps his dealership overcome present-day challenges.

Join Larry Sutton, founder of RNR Tire Express, and Adam Sutton, CEO of RNR Tire Express, for an insightful conversation on this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show. This dynamic father-and-son duo shares their experiences navigating the challenges and rewards of working together in a family business. They also discuss how RNR Tire Express stays ahead in the ever-evolving tire industry, offering valuable lessons for dealers and industry professionals alike. 

Beth Barron is Modern Tire Dealer's reigning Tire Dealer of the Year. And in the 30-plus years she's been working at Chabill's Tire & Auto Service, the business has undergone plenty of changes. Barron isn't afraid of change, and shares four key decisions that have helped propel Chabill's Tire & Auto Service into a more profitable and efficient operation. Learn from her award-winning style on this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show. 

In this special, post-election episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show, Roy Littlefield IV, vice president of government affairs for the Tire Industry Association, explains how a second Donald Trump presidency could impact independent tire dealers.

The tire industry seems to be full of disruptions. Randy O'Connor, owner and principal of D2D Development Group, says for the most part disruptions in the tire industry have leveled out. However, there are many things tire dealers can do now to help them get through industry disruptions. O'Connor touches on this and more in the latest episode of the Modern Tire Deale Show.  

Sponsored Podcast: In this special episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show, John Amato, director of training for Autel, answers frequently asked questions about how tire dealers can maximize TPMS profit potential. 

David Gray wants his company, Gray's Tire & Service Center, to be "the Chick-Fil-A" of tire dealerships. He explains why in this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show.

Joe Tomarchio, the man who helped Monro Inc. more than triple in size through 60-plus acquisition deals, doesn't think tire dealers should fear the growing interest of private equity in the tire industry. He explains the positives he sees for independent tire dealers as they face new competitors, and new buyers in the market. Join Tomarchio for this exclusive conversation, and learn what he's doing in retirement, on The Modern Tire Dealer Show. (Hint: he's not really retired. He's just slowing down from 90 mph to about 70 mph.)

There's a lot that can be said about Joe Tomarchio. A co-founder of the Mr. Tire store chain that he and his brother sold to Monro Inc. in 2004, he has spent more than 50 years in the tire industry. He has fine-tuned his retail strategy after also leading more than 1,100 tire and automotive service locations in 27 states for Monro. He sees things as black and white — and that includes everything from the importance of human capital and paying employees well to charging customers appropriately and operating profitably. (He says tire dealers always know prices, but they don't know their own value.) Tune into this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show for a pep talk, and some tough love, from Tomarchio.

Finding the right vendor is crucial to the success of an independent tire dealership. In this episode of the Modern Tire Dealer Show, Steve Kruse, co-owner of Mitchem Tire Co., a four-location dealership in Springfield, Mo., shares insights on the importance of vendor relationships and how to identify the right partners for your business model. 

M&A expert Michael McGregor discusses why smaller tire dealerships are attractive targets for acquisition by private equity groups in this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show.

Sponsored Podcast: John Amato, director of training for Autel, explains how TPMS tools have evolved in this can't-miss episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show. 

Complaining about problems in the workforce doesn't help you fill the open spots on your roster. And strategist Mike Brown says a gift card for lunch or doughnuts for breakfast only goes so far to incentivize team members to do great work day after day. Brown, the founder and CEO of Brainzooming, says tire dealers need to zero in on the critical role their workers play in making their businesses successful and more profitable, and then design compensation packages and incentives that feed into that system.

Employee training is crucial in the automotive and tire industry, but finding time can be a challenge. In this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show, Dave Boyes, president of Today's Class, shares insights on the importance of online training and how it can be the solution. 

In this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show, JP Brooks, chief revenue officer at Fitment Group, examines retail tire pricing at the mid-year point and provides a preview of what to expect during the second half of 2024. 

When it comes to planning for the future of your tire dealership, it can be easy to become overwhelmed with all of the things to consider and prioritize. We talked with Kevin Rohlwing about what tire dealers need to do today to prepare for the tire store of tomorrow, and it surprisingly all came down to one word. Rohlwing, the chief technical officer for the Tire Industry Association, shares his thoughts on The Modern Tire Dealer Show.

Sponsored Podcast: Will the future of TPMS be direct or indirect? John Amato, director of training for Autel, explains the differences between direct and indirect TPMS systems, the advantages of each and more.

What's the difference between business intelligence and artificial intelligence? Dave Vogel, general manager, and Jayson Roach, account manager for ASA Automotive Systems Inc., come on The Modern Tire Dealer Show to discuss how utilization of business intelligence can bolster a tire dealer's business. Check out the latest episode now. 

In this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show, retail tire sales and leadership coach Mike Townsend discusses how making customers feel like they have been served, instead of "sold," can turn them into lifelong ambassadors for your business. 

Nick Fox is president of Fox's Point S, a four-store tire dealership in Great Falls and Helena, Mont. The second-generation tire dealer is working to expand his family's tire business, and has a goal of doubling his store count in the next four years. He tells his story on the latest episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show.

Sponsored Podcast: In this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show, John Amato, director of training for Autel, explains how bluetooth TPMS sensors work, the advantages of using them and more.

Employment seems to be a hot topic in every industry now. Kevin Allen, executive coach for the Automotive Training Insitute, comes on the Modern Tire Dealer Show and discusses how to keep current employees engaged – and the difference that engagement will make on your business.  

Is discounting the biggest drain on your profitability? Dennis McCarron says no - and explains what you can do to boost your gross profit - in this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show. 

Industry analyst John Healy covers all corners of the tire industry, and he says the beginning of a new year can set the tone for what's to come. So what does that mean for tire dealers? Healy believes the end of 2023 has positioned 2024 to be a year of opportunity. And that applies to dealers, but also manufacturers. One tiremaker certainly poised for change is Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. There's a new CEO. There are changes looming in some of the business units, and the expectation to find $1 billion in savings. Healy breaks down all the details in this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show. 

In this special episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show, MTD's editors provide an exclusive preview of MTD's 2024 Facts Issue, our in-depth look at the tire industry. Check out MTD's Facts Issue at moderntiredealer.com. 

As the tire industry kicks off the 2024 year, Michael Spencer, co-owner of Atlanta, Ga.-based TireSouth Inc., shares his goals and predictions for the coming year. Spencer talks inventory, employment and more in this can't-miss episode of the Modern Tire Dealer Show. 

In this special, year-end episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show, MTD's editors review some of the biggest stories and trends of 2023 - and why they matter.

Sun Auto Tire & Service has doubled its store count and revenue over the last two years. Tony Puckett, Sun Auto Tire & Services CEO, discusses what's next for the company in this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show. 

As more electric vehicles (EVs) hit the market, tire dealers are going to need to learn how to service EVs and EV tires. Robbie Bushnell, vice president of tire repair products at 31 Inc., comes on the Modern Tire Dealer Show to talk about repairing EV tires. 

When Russ Devens helped create the Safety Leadership Summit, he and other organizers agreed on one big principle: “There's no competition in safety.” And that has guided them through four summits and many hours of conversations. Devens, the director of safety and risk management at McCarthy Tire Service, has helped bring together dozens of safety leaders from some of the largest tire dealerships in the country to help create and share best practices. He talks about the summit, and some of the safety lessons learned along the way, in this week's episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show. 

Jon Langerak, MTD's Tire Dealer of the Year, has successfully employed "patient capital" to build his dealership, Wonderland Tire Co. In this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show, Langerak explains what "patient capital" is and how you can apply it to your business. 

In this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show, Phillip Baird, regional sales associate, BKT, shares best practices to help you prepare your customers' tires for winter storage. 

Despite continuing consolidation, there's still a place for independent tire distributors. Gabriel Granatstein, CEO of Canada Tire, explains why in this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show.  

The transition from traditional marketing to digital marketing is getting more popular within the tire industry and it's important for tire dealers to keep up with their online presence. Leeanne Bolger, director of marketing for CJ's Tire and Automotive, comes on the Modern Tire Dealer Show to talk about this transition and offer tips for other dealers. 

Thinking about acquiring a single-store dealership? Listen to this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show first. M&A expert Michael McGregor offers some valuable advice.

If the topsy-turvy conditions of tire sellout and worries over inventory levels are leaving you stressed, we have some good news. MTD columnist and industry analyst John Healy breaks down the big issues of the first half of 2023 to help you steer your tire dealership through the rest of the year. Healy, an analyst from Northcoast Research, rejoins us on the latest episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show to provide an outlook on what's still to come in 2023.

In this sponsored episode of the NOLN Podcast, Neal McGlinchey, Manager of Field Training, Valvoline Global Operations, spoke with Matt Hudson, Content Director of National Oil & Lube News, about the nuts and bolts of preventive maintenance services and what products and services are most effective for quick lubes to offer. To find out more, please click here: https://partner.valvolineglobal.com/

Artificial intelligence is becoming a hot topic within the tire industry. Jason Rook, president of the Independent Tire Dealers Group, comes on the Modern Tire Dealer show to discuss how the tire industry will evolve because of AI. 

In this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show, Paschal Dellavedova, Manager, OTR Sales and Service, Western Region, BKT Tires, discusses radial versus bias tires for construction applications, differences between bias and radial tires, how dealers can ensure they are making the right recommendations and more.