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AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Goodyear Tire & Rubber said it would close 92 of its least profitable U.S. retail outlets, including Just Tires, Allied and Goodyear Auto Centers.

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Goodyear To Exit 92 Underperforming Stores

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In an effort to cut costs, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. said it will close 92 of its more than 700 company-owned stores by the end of the year. (GT)

In an effort to cut costs, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. said it will close 92 of its more than 700 company-owned stores by the end of the year. (GT)

In an effort to cut costs, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. said it will close 92 of its more than 700 company-owned stores by the end of the year. (GT)

In an effort to cut costs, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. said it will close 92 of its more than 700 company-owned stores by the end of the year. (GT)

In an effort to cut costs, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. said it will close 92 of its more than 700 company-owned stores by the end of the year. (GT)

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co was profiled this week preceding a kerfluffle at NASCAR where some of its tires failed. 28 stores across the country were consulted and asked which tire brand sells best? Which tire brand does the respondent think to be superior? And are sales up or down from a year ago? Goodyear were selling best according to nine respondents or 32% of those we called. Michelin were cited by six people or 21% and Firestone was mentioned by only 7%. Goodyear was the favorite tire among those we chatted with (mentioned by 43%) and Michelon was cited by 21% of those we polled. And 72% of those interviewed said their business was up from a year ago. Only 28% said it was down.

TickerMine polled tire retailers, including large chains such as Sears, Sam's Club, and Wal-Mart, and learned that the best selling tires this month are Goodyear (30%), Michelin (24%) and Bridgestone (18%). When asked which tire brands were of the best quality, responses were in line with sales: Goodyear was the most common response (36%). Michelin (24%) and Bridgestone (12%) were also mentioned. Fifty-two percent of stores surveyed said tire sales are down from last year; 24% said sales are up.

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TickerMine recently conducted a survey of 34 tire retailers ranging from large retailers like Sears, Walmart and Costco, to specific auto/tire retailers like Auto Zone, Goodyear and Firestone stores. Overall, 56% of stores consulted reported that their tire sales are higher than last year while 18% reported that sales are down (26% of respondents were unsure how sales compared to last year). Goodyear tires were the top sellers at 17 or 50% of participating stores, Michelin were tops at 15% (5 stores), and Bridgestone and Firestone were each named as top sellers by 6% (2 stores). Thirty-five percent of the tire salesmen surveyed said they believe that Goodyear makes the best tires. Twenty-one percent of salesmen think that Michelin are the best tires, 15% said Firestone, 6% said Bridgestone, and 6% said Eagle.

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