It's a Jeep Thang

Jeeps are a hot item this year...well...not just this year! They've always been a hot item....mostly because of the myriad of accessories available for them; and the new JK series is absolutely no exception! The single most visually enhancing accessory is absolutely the wheel & tire package...and this one is killer!

Level 8 Tracker in Matte Black

 

 

 

What are you doing to your JK...I'd love hear where you've gone and what wheel is your favorite...??

JK Rolling on some Level 8 Motorsports Tracker wheels

This is one of my favorites!!

Goodyear Introduces the New Assurance All-Season

According to Modern Tire Dealer, Goodyear has introduced it's new Assurance All-Season tire right on schedule.In fact, credit goes to MTD for this picture as well.

The Assurance A/S is available in 41 sizes ranging from 14" to 18" and are being released this month to the Goodyear dealer network.

Some sizes will not be available until September 1st, but they are all being made here in the good 'ole USA!!! On that note...my hat is off to Goodyear...China has been screwing with the tire industry for the last few years, so, go get 'em Goodyear!!

For more detail on the line read the MTD article, or click here.

While I have never been a fan of Goodyear (not that I am NOT a fan either) I really can't say enough about this endeavor...first, the tire comes with a 65,000 warranty, so Goodyear is confident...but second...the fact that it is made here in the USA gets a whole lot of points with me. 

Drive hard folks...and enjoy the road!!

Coil-Over Suspension versus Lowering Springs

If you're serious about truly improving the performance of your suspension, then coil-overs are the way to go...no questions asked! 

First off, lowering springs are great, but most people simply replace the springs without even considering that the factory shocks have a specific travel range. Without matching the shocks (that means replacing them as well) to the new, shorter, lowering springs you are creating a mismatch that is not obvious at first. But it will have an affect on the overall performance and longevity of the shocks. So, without buying the matching shocks, lowering springs by themselves are not recommended, in my opinion.

Top quality and high performance coil-over kits are the right solution...again...if you are serious about the actual performance gain and the improved handling...if it's just looks you're after, go ahead and skip to the end! 

Full blown coil-over kits will dramatically improve performance; they are specifically designed to be the right suspension component for your vehicle, are built and designed as a complete unit, matching springs to shock/strut, and can generally be adjusted for height and ride.

And, now...technology meets, and is paired together with top performance....some of the best suspension upgrades now come with apps that let you make the damping adjustment right from your smart phone...crazy right!?

If you've installed a specific suspension kit (lowering springs or coil-overs) please feel free to post your comment here...I'd love to hear some real "on the street low down" about what you're riding on. Just don't do any bashing, give your real thoughts and opinions please.

'Til next time...drive hard and low!! 

Spring is coming!

While a great deal of the country is creeping in and out of the polar vortex (sorry Al Gore...I'm not buying the whole "global warming" antic) spring is actually right around the corner. Many readers are experiencing the uptick in sales already! After all...tax money seems to come earlier and earlier every year!
Consumers, at least the automotive consumers, seem to want to buy when they have the money in hand...that means we need to be prepared...and that means having inventory on hand ready and waiting!! But how do you take advantage of early buying opportunities to be sure you have inventory at the best price when your cash flow is at it's lowest point? Consider a revenue based loan ...this type of borrowing is based on your revenue and is probably the best way to take advantage of the best early bird special pricing your vendors are going to offer...all year!
If you've got a great new idea...crowd funding might be an option, but this is generally reserved for a brand new idea or product.
As always...drop me a line (using the "contact us" box on the right side of the page) if you have any questions.

Drive fast!

Go Corporate or Go Rogue

This is the gist of the article I just read by Paul Rosenburg at www.freemansperspective.com, a newsletter I subscribe to for the sake of keeping up with some of the world’s issues. This particular article addresses the “end of the American middle class” which is certainly a topic worth a whole other discussion….alas…not today…and not here on this blog. I am NOT a doomsday preacher, and never will be.

What I am is a realist, I like to identify a problem and come up with a solution…and like George W. Bush, once I have committed to my solution, I am going to see it through…and again, Like GW, if I’m wrong…well…that’s on me…and YES…I’ve been wrong before…just ask my wife!

The article I am talking about struck a chord with me; having been a business owner myself (and lost that business), and currently working in a management capacity as an employee within a company, I felt this is an issue business owners will want to be aware of…mostly because we are (most of us) guilty….and yet…it’s extremely simple to remedy!

Among other things, the author goes on to say that the American middle class has been eroding for quite some time; it used to be that a manufacturing job was a very good place to be in the American society, but (and this number was quite surprising to me, not the fact…the number) back in 1977 there was about 20 million manufacturing jobs…now there are about 12 million and the population has increased since then…NOT decreased!!

So…the author’s point here is that the middle class has no other choice but to “Go corporate or go Rogue.” The corporate choice, he states, is to become a mindless corporate drone…so many are going rogue…which is where my point (going rogue) begins to present itself…finally! But going rogue requires considerable strength of character…and so far I’ve just been talking about an individual…now consider going rogue as a company!!

Going rogue simply means stepping out of the norm…being or doing something different…no longer obedient or conforming!

So here is my point…what are you doing, as a business owner, to “go rogue?” How is working for your company different (and I would suggest…more fun) from your competitors and/or other local area jobs? All I am suggesting here is that you take a step outside of the box and ask yourself…would I work for me? And LOVE it?

I’d love to hear your thoughts…

After the SEMA Show

Now that the SEMA Show 2013 is over....now what? I traveled to the Show and walked about 100 miles, took in all the sites, the new products section, business services and of course...the wheel section in the south hall as well as the truck and off-road accessories on the second floor of the south hall.

Suffice it to say....it is all a bit overwhelming...so much to see and so little time!!

But, the big question is...what to do with all that information? Which products do I want to represent and which ones do you want to carry in your store? Here are a few suggestions (drop me an email here if you would like more info on any of these lines):

DV8 Off-Road

*****Check out the LED Light-Bar and the line of winches*****

American Force

Hostile Truck Wheels

SEMA Show 2013...you going?

Chip Foose signing autographs

Every year at this time, we all make our plans for the SEMA Show and I continue to be amazed with how many make the trip, year after year, myself included!
It really is an event that should be visited every year, what with the rate at which this industry changes...you're going to tell me that you can afford to miss this show from time to time? Or that you only need to go once every couple of years...? Just wait 'til you see how many new items are displayed this year...and how many times I'll hear "what will they come out with next?"
Must see areas this year, at least from a business advisers point of view, are: (in order of importance)

1.) Business services- from banking fees to credit card processing charges, you know better than anyone, that you can't even count the ways in which you pay fees...no better time to take a quick assessment.
2.) Insurance - both business protection and liability insurance and the healthcare options you have to sort through...it can be mind boggling....there are several providers present at the Show.
3.) Technology - how old is the software you depend on to RUN your business? This is something that should be closely examined!! The wrong software can easily cost you more than getting the right software!
4.) New Products - what's hot and what's new and exciting? Great opportunity to get out in front of competitors.
5.) Wheels - if you are not in the wheel and tire business, skip this one, but if you are...wheels have become sooooo trendy, it's a must see...just to know what is going to be the next trend....who knew that a '90 Civic was going to be a big seller for wheels???
6.) Truck stuff - off road stuff for anything truck like is growing big time...from lift and leveling kits, to brush guards, steps and yup...wheels and tires!
7.) Diesel stuff - just about anything diesel...there's so much out there for diesel now you almost have to take a look at it...it's a huge profit center for many of my clients.
8.) Electronics - or should I say telematics? as crazy as it seems, in my opinion, technology is sometimes more frightening than the old fashioned way...but who am I...it's a big profit center! With healthy margins!
9.) The cars - yeah that's right...check out some of the hottest project cars in the world!
10.) The models - yup...I said it...'nuff said!

See you out there!
SEMA Show 2013...November 5th-8th