California tire industry promotes Right to Repair and raises fire relief funds

Annual luncheon raises more than $4,700 for tire industry fire victims and discusses how Right to Repair is important to independent tire dealers

Commerce, Calif.—Right to Repair legislation and the state’s recent wildfires were at the forefront of discussions at the 12^th annual California Tire Dealers Association/ 1-800EveryRim New Year Luncheon was recently held in Commerce, Calif.

In addition to the traditional activities, the luncheon raised more than $4,700 for tire industry fire victims, with several entities raising their hands at the opportunity to match the cash donations received at the event. All money received will be donated to the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF).

**From left: TIA CEO Dick Gust, TIA President Debra Hamlin, CTDA President Stepan Boyajian and CTDA Vice President Chris Barry.**

Right to Repair was addressed by a panel moderated by CTDA Vice President Chris Barry of ITDG. Sitting on the panel were TIA President Debra Hamlin, of Bridgestone Americas, TIA CEO Dick Gust and CTDA President Stepan Boyajian of Tire Pros.

The panel shared the actions the Tire Industry Association (TIA) is taking to protect the right of tire dealers and automotive repair businesses to access the tools and technology to complete repairs, how the Right to Repair is impacting independent tire dealers, what dealers can do to help the efforts to protect their right to repair, and more.

Donations

On behalf of those impacted by the fires, the event sent appreciation to the following for volunteering to match cash donations:

• 1-800EveryRim OEM Wheels ($500)

• American Factory Wheel ($500)

• Connerly & Associates Association Management ($500)

• Independent Tire Dealers Association (ITDG) ($500)

• SHAK Enterprises dba Tire Pros ($500)

• Wilcox Supply ($500)

• Yokohama Tire ($500)

• TireTutor ($250)

• Slavica King/Westpac Wealth Partners ($50)

• Nemanja Selezan/Westpac Wealth Partners ($50)

Additionally, thanks goes to NAPA Auto Parts, who donated several boxes of packaged food. The boxes were delivered to FoodFinders, a Los Angeles area non-profit that delivers food to those in need in the LA area.

Sponsors

Thirteen companies sponsored the event. In order of support, those companies were:

• Federated Insurance – Diamond Sponsor

• 1-800EveryRim OEM Wheels – Founding Sponsor

• TireTutor

• Wholesale Tire Distributors

• Tire Base

• BankCard USA

• Yokohama Tire

• Crystal Clean

• Myers Tire Supply

• Mighty Auto Parts