Offered as part of TCi’s T3 Prime program, Service Connect’s award-winning customizable mobile technology helps Aftermarket retailers retain and engage with today’s “always-on” consumer

Daytona Beach, FL – April 20, 2015 – DMEautomotive today announced that TCi, Tire Centers LLC, one of America’s premier tire distributors, has selected Service Connect, DMEa’s groundbreaking aftermarket-branded mobile app, to help its retailers increase sales, loyalty and retention among today’s “always-on” consumers.  TCi has thousands of customers across the US and services all 50 states.

TCi will offer Service Connect to its independent tire dealer customers nationwide as part of its T3 Prime^TM program, which offers internet marketing and other services. The technology behind Service Connect is proven to increase sales and retention and drive customer loyalty, especially among mobile-hungry Millennials who prefer to do almost everything through the convenience of a smartphone.

 “We are pleased to be one of the first to make the power of mobile marketing completely turnkey for the aftermarket industry,” said Mike Walther, Chief Executive Officer for DMEautomotive.  “TCi has a passion for service excellence and creating customer loyalty which makes Service Connect a perfect fit. Service Connect takes that passion and puts it in the hands of the millions of consumers who are increasingly turning to their smartphones and apps for their vehicle needs.”

Recent studies show that smartphone usage is skyrocketing, which can in turn drive sales and service revenue through the roof:

• By 2020, there will be an estimated 245,000,000 smartphone users in the US. (Statista, 2015)
• In 2014 there was a 38% increase in use of consumer reviews, 89% growth in smartphone usage, 190% growth in interest in online purchases. (Google Analytics, 2015)
• Consumers using a mobile app will make 25% more service appointments, and their service visit frequency grows 3.7 times faster than customers without the app (DMEautomotive, 2014)

By putting an entire store right on a consumer’s smartphone, Service Connect makes it easy for consumers to understand their vehicle service needs and, with the tap of a finger, even call their tire dealer to make an appointment  – all while making communication and relationship-building easier and more direct between the dealers and their customer base. 

“We chose DMEautomotive for their marketing excellence and industry leading programs,” said Vickie Johnson, TCi’s Director of Retail Marketing.  “Service Connect will help our dealers engage with customers on their terms, more quickly, and with greater efficiency than ever before. It is a simple equation: stronger customer relationships means better, happier service customers in the long run.”

Available now to TCi dealers, Service Connect has been built from the ground up by DMEautomotive. Service Connect’s foundational technology has won multiple awards, most recently including the 2015 Digital Edge Award from IDG, and the 2015 and 2014 AWA award for mobile apps.

Service Connect is tailored for the specific needs of the aftermarket industry, bringing aftermarket providers the customer engagement and retention services they need with the customization they crave. Service Connect features include:

-      Mobile Wallet so customers can store coupons and promotion

-      Multi-location geo-fencing support for mobile wallet, coupons, and promotions

-      Keep track of important vehicle information, including tire size, all in one place

-      Service history tracking

-      Service appointment setting

-      Loyalty status and point/balance history

-      Recall notifications

-      Kelly Blue Book car valuation

-      Tire & Service offers and promotions

-      Reporting through Red Rocket Technology

About DMEautomotive

DMEautomotive (DMEa) is the industry leader in science-based, results-driven automotive marketing, and provides turnkey marketing to the largest and most innovative automotive organizations, from automobile dealerships to many of the largest aftermarket companies in the U.S. DMEa's uniquely panoramic view of the complete automotive sales and service market, combined with its cutting-edge, science-based marketing programs, increases customer yield, conversion and retention.

DMEa does not take marketing performance on faith, and each product and service is measured by a simple, precise scientific approach: Is it true? Prove it. Will it work? Test it. Does it generate results? Show it! Supported by DMEa’s proprietary, cloud-based Red Rocket Technology Platform, the DMEa product suite includes science-based, data driven, multi-channel customer acquisition and retention marketing programs; best-in-class campaign reporting; data management and analytics; auto-focused Customer Interaction Center solutions, and complete on-site mail and email fulfillment services. Headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida, DMEa also has major operations in Jacksonville, Florida.

About TCi
Headquartered in Duncan, S.C., Tire Centers, LLC (TCi) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Michelin North America, Inc., and comprises two divisions – distribution and commercial. The distribution division serves passenger and light truck retailers with 86 distribution centers across the country. With 67 commercial centers, TCi supports its commercial division’s truck and earthmover customers throughout the United States. The company also operates nine state-of-the-art Michelin Retread Technologies (MRT) plants nationwide. For more information on TCi, visit www.tirecenters.com.

DMEautomotive Media Relations

Melanie Webber, mWEBB Communications, (424) 603-4340, melanie@mwebbcom.com
Crystal Hartwell, mWEBB Communications, (949) 929-4637, crystal@mwebbcom.com

TCi Media Relations:

Stephanie Tarbet, Michelin North America, 864.458.4548, stephanie.tarbet@us.micheiln.com