PONTIAC Ill. — Earlier this week, one of our Leadership 2.0 guest bloggers tipped us off to some interesting developments at AutoZone. According to a recent report from the Pontiac Daily Leader based in Pontiac, Ill., the auto parts retailer is testing out a new Rural Store Program in 58 markets — Pontiac being one of them.
 
According to the report, the new program would expand the stores’ inventory to include products for servicing agricultural and heavy equipment. Among the product categories that will reportedly be stocked are OEM and OE-equivalent air and oil filters, belts, electronic ignition parts, calipers, brakes, rotors and radiators.  
                                                                                                                       
The Pontiac Daily Leader quoted local AutoZone store manager Larry Blair, who said the test program would add about $100,000 worth of merchandise to the store’s inventory. Delivery will be available to customers in a 35-mile radius, he said.