Friday, January 05, 2007 Tire maker rolls out auto repair services
A TIRE company will start offering automotive services to cater to a bigger market.
Goodyear Philippines is calling on all its dealers in the country to convert to the new Goodyear Autocare format to provide a wider service reach for its customers.
Goodyear Autocare, which replaces the Goodyear Servitek brand, is now a “one-stop shop” for tire and automotive services catering to the motoring needs of the local market.
“The preference of our customers is not just about taking good care of their car tires but the car itself and we want to reach out to that market,” Goodyear Philippines Inc. general manager for marketing Ramon Miguel Barredo told a press conference during the opening of Goodyear Autocare store in Maguikay, Mandaue City last Wednesday.
New brand
“By repositioning our stores under the new brand, we can clearly and correctly convey what we offer our customers—which is quality automotive service,” said Gerry Alava, Goodyear’s general manager for branded retail.
Barredo added that while the conversion to the new brand name is open to its dealers only by invitation, the company is slowly encouraging its current Servitek dealers to buy the format.
Protection
He said that because the Autocare format “in some ways” competes with the Servitek centers, Barredo advised current Servitek dealers to “transcend for their own protection.”
He said the company plans to have a unified branding in all its outlets in Asia in the next five years.
Under the new Goodyear Autocare center, existing Servitek centers will undergo an upgrade in facilities and a retraining of current staff.
On the other hand, motorists can expect 24/7 automotive services such as car repairs, mechanical inspections, tire assistance and a 35-point car “health check-up” every time they visit.
Complete line
For its first Autocare center in the country, Goodyear partnered with EBR-SN Tire Plaza, a subsidiary of EBR Marketing Corp. (EBR-MC), in providing a complete line of automotive services.
EBR-MC is a family enterprise, owned by Ernesto Rizarri, which is engaged in various retail and service products like tires, batteries, chemicals, lubricants and other related products.
Prices
“Goodyear Autocare is more than a strong concept. It gives credibility and assurance to customers that we keep their vehicles running reliably and safely,” said Rizarri, who is the dealer and owner of Goodyear Autocare in Cebu.
Meanwhile, Barredo said the company has set different price lists for every automotive service but he assured customers that the prices are “relevant.”
Goodyear Autocare Cebu is the first to open among Goodyear service centers in Asia. It is the third outlet to open in the Asia Pacific.
“The company has chosen Cebu because of our strong partnerships with local dealers, the province’s progressive economy and there is always a market for quality tires here,” Barredo said.
Goodyear, a manufacturer of tires, has 118 retail outlets in the country and four of them are in Cebu.
Goodyear will celebrate the 20th year anniversary of its branded retail network. (MMM)
