Content area
Full Text
Challenges lay ahead for Firestone's local retail stores and independent retailers as they confront the second tire recall in less than a year and a declining market share.
Sales of Firestone tires are less than half what they were last year for Wetmore Tire Inc., said Chris Lynch, part owner of the independent retailer in Ferndale.
The drop isn't a big problem for Wetmore because it also sells other brands. Wetmore posts yearly sales of $2.5 million.
But Lynch said many of Firestone's company-owned stores are having a hard time selling Firestone tires and are selling other brands if they have to.
There are no plans to close any retail stores, said Jill Bratina, director of public relations at Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone/Firestone Inc.
Bridgestone/Firestone has 19 company-owned Firestone Tire & Service Centers in metro Detroit and 1,600 stores nationwide. Bratina said the company does not release store sales. There are more than 8,000 places to buy...