NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 9, 2018) ― Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (Bridgestone) today announced the company has enhanced its TireConnect online tire quoting and sales platform to include integration with a custom wheel visualizer, competitive tire pricing guide and accurate quoting of Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) kits and valves. The expanded functionality positions Bridgestone dealers as a single source for quoting tires and wheels while creating a seamless tire buying experience from online to in-store. As part of the enhanced offering, TireConnect also will leverage aggregated competitive data provided by a third party, enabling dealers to price their inventory accordingly.
“At Bridgestone, we want to empower our dealer network to win and sell more tires online,” said Erik Seidel, president, consumer replacement tire sales, U.S. and Canada, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations. “Consumers want access to real-time product and pricing information online, and we are excited to further enhance our TireConnect platform to provide that information. TireConnect is a powerful sales tool that allows dealers to build relationships with customers, ultimately driving sales and boosting loyalty.”
A tire pricing research module has been added to give dealers access to national pricing averages and minimum advertised pricing where applicable, all in an easy-to-use dashboard. The new technology was included in a nationwide update to the TireConnect platform this spring through the addition of a new price guide module. The feature enables dealers to quickly and easily make informed decisions about price structure, ensure compliance with manufacturer pricing guidelines and serve as a trusted resource for their customers by helping them research competitor prices, all without having to leave the store.
In addition to visibility into aggregated competitive tire pricing, the TireConnect online platform now offers dealers the capability to provide more accurate pricing for TPMS kits. TPMS kits are highly specific and many dealers have traditionally found it easier to set a flat price. The TPMS offering allows tire dealers to provide accurate quotes and better inform consumers about their specific TPMS offering.
The TireConnect platform also now interfaces with the iConfigurator wheel visualizer to enable dealers to add wheel quoting and sales to their online offering. Dealers who elect to integrate this functionality into their websites will be able to provide customers with a visual tool that allows them to see what the vehicle and wheels will look like together, followed by a seamless online purchasing experience.
Bridgestone acquired TireConnect in 2015 to provide its nationwide network of affiliated retailers with a turn-key, online tire sales tool that allows dealers to quote and sell tires on their existing websites while getting full credit for the sale. Following a nationwide roll out of the platform in 2017, TireConnect has powered more than 6 million tire searches and is utilized by more than 2,500 dealer locations.
The company worked with Fitment Group, Icon Internet Media, Inc. and Tiremetrix to integrate the new technologies and functionality into the TireConnect platform.
For more information about the Bridgestone TireConnect platform, visit TireConnect.ca.
About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.:
Nashville, Tennessee-based Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world’s largest tire and rubber company. BSAM and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers, and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies are also engaged in retreading operations throughout the Western Hemisphere and produce air springs, roofing materials and industrial fibers and textiles. The BSAM family of companies also operates the world’s largest chain of automotive tire and service centers. Guided by its One Team, One Planet message, the company is dedicated to achieving a positive environmental impact in all of the communities it calls home.
About Fitment Group
Founded in 1999 Fitment Group is the tire industries leading provider of business intelligence and data solutions to include; tire pricing analytics, demand planning, tire and wheel fitment data, catalog and visualization. http://www.fitmentgroup.com/
About Icon Internet Media, Inc.
Founded in 1994, Icon Internet Media, Inc. has specialized in Marketing for the Automotive aftermarket Industry. For over 20 years we have evolved with the needs of our clients, grown thru innovation, and made the commitment to be the firm that invests in the future of this industry. The iConfigurator was developed by Genuine Automotive Enthusiasts – the iConfigurator is the only Visualization Software that caters to every vertical in the Automotive Industry. www.icon-media.com | www.iConfigurators.com
About Tiremetrix
Tiremetrix, LLC is a privately-owned Michigan based automotive information software company. TPMS Manager and Tire Registration Plus are software-as-a-service products created by Tiremetrix and used by tire dealers and automotive service centers throughout North America. Tiremetrix provides software platforms used by service providers in over 80 countries worldwide. For more information visit http://www.tiremetrix.com.
