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The Pulse: Tire Dealers Rank Their Top Business Concerns

Each week, The Pulse provides insight into the buying, sourcing and brand-loyalty habits of counter personnel and professional technicians. This week, using Babcox Research, we look at the top five business concerns for tire dealers today.

The Week in Review (March 2-6, 2009)

The Week in Review offers a snapshot of the most highly read stories of the week as seen on aftermarketNews. To access the complete stories, simply click on the highlighted links. If you missed reading one of our daily news emails, just click on the link that says “News Archives” at the bottom of the page to begin catching up on the latest industry news.

SURVEY RESULTS: Majority of Readers Say Health Insurance is the Most Important Employee Benefit

The percentage of people (workers and dependents) with employment-based health insurance has dropped from 70 percent in 1987 to 62 percent in 2007.

The Pulse: Use of Premium Vs. Second Line Parts, Month by Month

In a recent survey conducted by IMR, technicians were asked the following two questions: Generally speaking, what percent of the parts you use are premium line parts? What percent of the parts you use are second line parts?

The Week in Review (Feb. 23-27, 2009)

The Week in Review offers a snapshot of the most highly read stories of the week as seen on aftermarketNews. To access the complete stories, simply click on the highlighted links. If you missed reading one of our daily news emails, just click on the link that says “News Archives” at the bottom of the page to begin catching up on the latest industry news.

Executive Interview with Dave Caracci, Chairman, Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium

It’s hard to tell which is Dave Caracci’s stronger characteristic: humility, humor or enthusiasm. He’s got all three in spades and applies this passion to his role as chairman of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS). The 2009 GAAS takes place May 6-7 in Chicago, amid crisis in the struggling auto industry. Commenting on why it’s more important to attend this year than ever before, Dave had this to say: “There are many leaders on the front lines of the aftermarket, trying to make decisions that not only affect them and the others working beside them today, but that may affect their survival for years to come. Who do they listen to? Where do they go for leading edge concepts or to identify short term shifts from long term trends? That is what GAAS is all about.” Read on to hear more about the 2009 GAAS from Symposium Chairman Dave Caracci.

SURVEY RESULTS: Texting to Business Clients an Etiquette No-No

Less than 40 percent say they have used text-messaging to communicate with a business client.

The Pulse: Where Brake Shops Source Parts

Each week, The Pulse provides insight into the buying, sourcing and brand-loyalty habits of counter personnel and professional technicians. This week, using Babcox Research, we look at the part sources for the typical brake specialist. Data comes from the Babcox Brake & Front End 2008 Shop Profile.

The Week in Review (Feb. 16-20, 2009)

The Week in Review offers a snapshot of the most highly read stories of the week as seen on aftermarketNews. To access the complete stories, simply click on the highlighted links. If you missed reading one of our daily news emails, just click on the link that says “News Archives” at the bottom of the page to begin catching up on the latest industry news.

More Details on Supplier Industry’s Formal Proposal for Financial Assistance

In all, the three bridge suggestions, which have been recommended in combination with each other, ask for up to $25.5 billion in financial assistance from the government.

SURVEY RESULTS: Most Prefer to Reach Out to Co-Workers via Email or In Person

When given the choice between convenience or personal interaction AMN Readers were nearly divided when voting on their favorite way to communicate during the workday.

The Pulse: Tire Dealership Ownership Breakdown

When asked about succession planning, only 16 percent said they plan to pass the family business down to a child.