U.S. AutoForce

U.S. AutoForce stands as a prominent industry leader, operating primarily as a wholesale business-to-business (B2B) distributor of tires, undercar parts, and lubricants. With a history spanning over 70 years, U.S. AutoForce has established itself as a critical partner for independent tire retailers, auto repair shops, and automotive dealerships across the nation. While not a direct-to-consumer auto repair station in the traditional sense, U.S. AutoForce plays a crucial role in enabling these stations to provide their services by supplying them with the necessary goods. Their extensive network of over 60 strategically placed distribution centers nationwide ensures efficient and reliable delivery of products, supporting the operations of countless automotive businesses.

Unlike a traditional auto repair station that serves individual customers in a local shop, U.S. AutoForce's "environment" is primarily its extensive network of distribution centers and its sophisticated supply chain infrastructure. These distribution centers are strategically located across the United States to ensure rapid order fulfillment and seamless delivery to their business clients. The focus of their environment is on efficiency, logistics, and inventory management, ensuring that tire retailers and auto repair shops receive the parts and products they need, when they need them. Their recent investment in the AI-first Logility Digital Supply Chain Platform further emphasizes their commitment to optimizing their supply chain, improving inventory visibility, streamlining order fulfillment, and enhancing overall operational efficiency. This allows them to support same-day turnaround for critical automotive supplies, which is essential for auto repair stations that rely on quick access to parts to serve their customers effectively. The internal environment of U.S. AutoForce also fosters an "entrepreneurial spirit" and "caring relationships" among its team members, empowering them to innovate and provide exceptional service to their business partners.

U.S. AutoForce offers a comprehensive suite of services and product categories tailored to the needs of its business customers – independent tire retailers, auto repair shops, and automotive dealerships. Their core offering revolves around providing extensive inventories of leading brands across various automotive product categories. These services and products are essential for auto repair stations to perform their daily operations and serve their own customers:

• Extensive Product Inventory: U.S. AutoForce supplies a vast array of products, including:
  • Tires: A comprehensive selection of consumer tires (touring, performance, CUV, SUV, light truck, all-terrain, mud-terrain, off-road), commercial tires (line haul, regional, mixed service), specialty tires (OTR, earthmover, ATV, UTV, industrial, farm), trailer tires (boat, RV, utility, landscaping), and lawn & garden tires. They distribute tires from all major manufacturers, including top brands like Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, Michelin, Pirelli, BFGoodrich, Cooper, Dunlop, Falken, Firestone, General Tire, Hankook, Kumho, Mickey Thompson, Nitto, Toyo, Yokohama, Kelly, Kenda, Mastercraft, Nexen, Roadmaster, Starfire, Sumitomo, Uniroyal, and more.
  • Undercar Parts: A wide range of undercar automotive parts from top brands, crucial for various vehicle repairs and maintenance. This includes items such as brakes, chassis components, filters, and exhaust systems.
  • Lubricants and Chemicals: An extensive inventory of lubricants and chemicals essential for vehicle maintenance and service, including packaged oils.
  • Shop Supplies: Various shop supplies needed for the daily operations of auto repair facilities.
• Distribution and Logistics: With over 60 strategically placed distribution centers, U.S. AutoForce ensures quick order fulfillment and seamless delivery. They offer 24-hour online ordering and aim for quick and seamless delivery, supporting the often time-sensitive nature of auto repair.
• Value-Added Marketing and Technology Platforms: U.S. AutoForce provides unique programs and technological solutions to help their dealer partners grow their businesses. These include:
  • Tire One Program: A comprehensive marketing support program that helps independent businesses strengthen their operations, allowing them to access economies of scale while maintaining their independence. This includes customizable marketing and advertising tools.
  • TIRESanytime®: An e-commerce solution that can be integrated into a dealer's website, allowing consumers to shop for and purchase tires online 24/7. This expands the dealer's inventory by making U.S. AutoForce's vast stock available to their customers and drives online traffic to their sites.
  • Associate Dealer Programs: Support for manufacturer associate dealer programs, such as the Nexen Reach Program and the ONE Program (for Hankook tires), offering tiered payouts and rewards for purchasing specific tire brands.
• Business Consulting and Support: They provide dedicated business consultants and world-class customer service to offer unmatched knowledge and support, helping their partners maximize sales, market share, and customer experience.
• Technical Training: Programs designed to enhance the technical knowledge and skills of their dealer partners.

U.S. AutoForce distinguishes itself through several key features that underscore its commitment to its business partners:

• Wholesale Business Model: Their primary focus is B2B distribution, meaning they are dedicated to supporting the success of independent tire retailers, auto repair shops, and automotive dealerships, rather than competing with them for direct consumer business.
• Extensive Inventory and Top Brands: They boast a comprehensive inventory packed with leading tire and parts brands, ensuring their partners have access to the products their customers demand. This broad selection is critical for auto repair stations to cater to a diverse range of vehicles and customer preferences.
• Nationwide Distribution Network: Over 60 strategically placed distribution centers across the U.S. enable efficient and quick delivery, minimizing downtime for their clients.
• Customer-Centric Approach: U.S. AutoForce emphasizes "best-in-class customer service," "responsive" support, and "dependable" delivery. Their aim is to be a trusted partner that helps businesses thrive.
• Innovative Technology and Marketing Support: They leverage technology like the Logility Digital Supply Chain Platform for internal efficiency and offer external platforms like TIRESanytime® and various dealer programs to enhance their partners' sales and marketing capabilities. This includes providing tools for customizable marketing campaigns and directing consumer traffic to program dealers via TIRESanytime.com.
• Rebate and Loyalty Programs: U.S. AutoForce facilitates various rebate programs from manufacturers and operates its own loyalty programs (like the ONE Program) that reward dealers based on purchase volume, offering cash payouts and redeemable points.
• Financial and Operational Efficiency Support: Their systems, like the integration with Dynamics 365, provide improved order fulfillment processes, better inventory visibility, accurate order tracking, and workflow automation for pricing and invoice processing, all designed to make their partners' operations smoother and more profitable.
• Quality Assurance: While not a direct repair shop, their commitment to distributing top brands implies a focus on quality parts and products that contribute to reliable auto repairs. Some product lines they distribute also come with specific warranties, such as the Americus TBR tires which offer a 5-year and 50% free replacement warranty.

U.S. AutoForce's promotional efforts are directed at their business partners, offering incentives and programs designed to increase their sales and profitability. These promotions are typically structured as dealer programs and rebates, rather than direct consumer discounts:

• Associate Dealer Programs: These are a major promotional tool. For instance, the Nexen Reach Program allows newly signed dealers to achieve Tier 1 payouts with a lower initial purchase volume (50 units in the introductory quarter), encouraging new partnerships. The Nexen Next Level Associate Dealer Program offers tiered volume bonuses, with higher tire purchases leading to larger per-unit payouts (e.g., up to $5 per tire bonus).
• The ONE Program: This loyalty program for Hankook tires rewards dealers with cash payouts and redeemable points based on quarterly tire purchases, with higher purchase tiers (Silver to Diamond) yielding higher rewards (e.g., $3-$6 per tire). It also offers additional "Premium Line Rewards" for specific popular products.
• Manufacturer Rebate Programs: U.S. AutoForce often facilitates manufacturer-backed rebate programs for consumers who purchase specific tire brands from their eligible dealers. An example includes an $80 rebate via a prepaid Mastercard when purchasing four qualifying General Tire brand tires from a Continental Gold dealer who has selected U.S. AutoForce as their primary wholesale distributor. These promotions are designed to drive consumer demand to their partner auto repair stations and tire shops.
• Exclusive Deals and Incentives: Through partnerships with leading brands, U.S. AutoForce provides its dealers with exclusive deals and incentives, enabling them to offer competitive pricing to their own customers.
• Customizable Marketing Campaigns: Their programs, like Tire One and TIRESanytime®, provide dealers with customizable marketing and advertising materials, empowering them to run their own local promotions effectively.

In essence, U.S. AutoForce functions as the backbone for numerous auto repair stations and tire shops across the United States. By providing an unparalleled inventory, efficient distribution, and robust business support programs, they enable their partners to offer comprehensive services and products to the end-consumer, ensuring that vehicles are well-maintained and on the road safely and efficiently.