ALLEN PARK, Mich., Nov. 17, 2009 – Belle Tire is pleased to announce the grand opening of two new Michigan stores located in Battle Creek and Monroe.

The Battle Creek store, located at 2822 Capital Ave. S.W. just south of I-94 at the corner of Beckley and Capital, opened Sept. 30, 2009.

“This is the first Belle Tire store in the Battle Creek area and we are pleased and excited to be entering this new market,” said Don Barnes Jr., President of Belle Tire. Belle Tire currently has four locations in the Kalamazoo area. 

The Monroe location, at 1776 N. Telegraph Road, will open its doors Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009 and host a ribbon cutting ceremony on site at 11 a.m. Currently Belle Tire has locations in Toledo and Woodhaven to service the Monroe area; this is the first location in the Monroe market. Special Grand Opening savings postcards will be mailed to 53,000 area residents offering $20 off anything the Belle Tire location sells with no minimum purchase required.

"Belle Tire is absolutely thrilled to be in the Monroe area. We’ve worked for years to find the best building site in Monroe and we’re extremely happy with the outcome. We look forward to earning the business every day of our new neighbors and promise to always provide a great value and service. The Frenchtown township building officials and Fire Department were among the best to work with and we thank them" said Jeff Kruse Vice President of Retail Operations.

Belle Tire stocks over 250,000 tires ready for immediate installation. Customers at both stores will have access to top tire brands including:

• Goodyear
• Michelin
• Toyo Tires
• Kelly Tires
• BFGoodrich
• Bridgestone
• Continental
• Sumitomo Tire

Services offered at the Monroe and Battle Creek locations include, but are not limited to: wheel alignment–  which many other tire retailers don’t even offer,  brake systems, oil and lube, steering and suspension, windshield repair and replacement, air conditioning, batteries, starters and alternators, shocks and struts, cooling systems, and more.

Both the Battle Creek and Monroe stores will employee 15 people, which include manager, assistant manager, sales staff and Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified technicians.  The store hours at both locations are Monday and Thursday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Both locations are new construction stores featuring 9800 square-feet and include 12 service bays to better serve the customer.

ALLEN PARK, Mich., Nov. 12, 2009 – Three years ago Collex Collision began its Wheels of HOPE program to give away restored used vehicles to families with transportation needs. This year, Belle Tire is donating tires, brake services, oil changes and windshield repair and replacement services in the restoration process of these vehicles.

In the first two years the Wheels of HOPE program gave away seven cars along with gas cards, gift cards and one year vehicle insurance, all totaling over $50,000, to families in Michigan and Florida. Through further donations and support of Collex's employees, vendors and area communities, this year's goal is six vehicles. 

Wheels of HOPE obtains the used vehicles through donations by Collex Collision, charitable organizations, including Charity Motors and Volunteers of America, and individual donors. Belle Tire then utilizes its Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified technicians in restoring the donated vehicles to a like-new condition to then be given to the deserving families.

"As a locally owned and operated company, Belle Tire is happy to be giving back to our communities through our partnership with Collex and Wheels of Hope" said Darren Mcgeachy, Belle Tire Auto Glass Sale/Operations Manager.

On December 19, 2009 the Collex Collision Clinton Township store will host an event to give away the restored vehicles. Both WDIV Channel 4 and WJBK FOX 2 News in Detroit will be covering the event night live. In addition, WDIV Channel 4 will be broadcasting the complete story as it follows around Collex Collision employees while they select and surprise the vehicles' recipients prior to the event.

Families and local non-profit organizations can find applications on Collex Collision's website to submit to be selected to receive a vehicle. Once applications are received, potential recipients are then narrowed down through a process that includes interviews and background checks. The recipients must have valid transportation needs, clean driving records and are actively trying to provide for their families.

Individuals and companies that are interested in helping with the Wheels of HOPE program can give a monetary donation, donate a vehicle, become a Support Partner and/or help with an event night ceremony. A Support Partner can give on five different tiers and will be acknowledged on corresponding levels. All donations, including vehicles, are tax deductible.

If you are interested in making a donation or donating a vehicle in Michigan please call: 586-493-9110.

About Wheels of HOPE
The mission of Collex Collision Experts’ Wheels of HOPE program is to create good will at the local level by uniting company staff, city officials and local businesses to help deserving families by giving them a “like-new” vehicle. Through the generosity and donations of Collex Collision business support partners and caring individuals and companies, “Wheels of HOPE” also provides vehicle insurance, prepaid gasoline cards, AAA road service, oil changes and more. For more information please visit: http://www.collexcollision.com/wheelshope.htm

ALLEN PARK, Mich., Nov. 5, 2009 — Belle Tire, the number one tire retailer in Michigan, continues to invest in the state and its local communities by offering advanced training to its current technicians and providing them with a new and exciting career opportunity as a certified technician. 

This training program, unlike any other offered by retailers in the area, is being conducted by Master Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Technician Larry Bluford. Mr. Bluford is highly qualified with over 30 years of experience in automotive service.  The 90 day training program is made up of five students whom are chosen based on their aptitude and motivation for a mechanical career.  The students are selected by Mr. Bluford from over 800 Belle Tire service employees. 

The training classes are conducted at The Belle Tire Auto Tech Development Center, located at the Belle Tire Headquarters and Distribution Center in Allen Park.  Classes are conducted five days a week and combine a rigorous curriculum of classroom training, testing and hands on training.

To provide quality hands on training to the students, Belle Tire is offering consumers a discount of up to 50% off the services performed on their vehicles at the Belle Tire Auto Tech Development Center in Allen Park during training. Belle Tire curriculum includes, but is not limited to, training in the following areas; Wheel Alignment and Balancing, Brake Systems, Steering & Suspension, Air Conditioning, Batteries, Starters and Alternators, Shocks and Struts, and Cooling Systems. To ensure every job is done to Belle Tire standards, Mr. Bluford oversees all repairs. In the past, city employees from Melvindale and Allen Park took advantage of the huge discounts by bringing their personal vehicles in to the Auto Tech Development Center for service. Most repairs take one day and require an appointment.

"Belle Tire has been in business for over 85 years and is invested in Michigan. By offering advanced training to our current employees, it gives them an opportunity at a solid career foundation and advanced career opportunities, it also provides consumers with a way to save even more on auto service" said Jeff Kruse, Vice President of Retail Operations at Belle Tire.

Upon completion of training and graduation, Belle Tire provides each graduating student with a mechanics tools set valued at over $8000, and each graduate is immediately placed at a Belle Tire retail location to begin their new careers.  Belle Tire currently employs 289 technicians who have received their ASE Certification, 87 of whom are ASE Certified Master Technicians. 

This new training program is just another way Belle Tire continues to strive for excellence and provides customers with an exceptional level of service beyond compare, additional value for those taking advantage of the up to 50% off discounts at the Auto Tech Development Center and advances the careers for ambition young men and women.

The Belle Tire Auto Tech Development Center is located at 1000 Enterprise Drive and is open five days a week, Monday through Friday, 8am—5pm, and can be reached at 313-271-9400 ext. 246.

ALLEN PARK, Mich., Oct. 23, 2009 – Allen Park, Mich.-based Belle Tire will open its doors Sunday, October 25 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a special one-day savings event. Tires and custom wheels of all kinds and brands from the warehouse in Allen Park, Mich. are moving to all 80 locations in Michigan and Ohio.
To quickly move this merchandise out of the stores, Belle Tire is pricing all tires and custom wheels At Cost, Near Cost and Below Cost, for one day only.  Thousands of tires and custom wheels will be on sale for Sunday only during the Belle Tire Warehouse Sale.
Special, never before, pricing will be available to customers on top name brands like:

• Tires starting as low as $10
• Trailer Tires starting at $24
• Goodyear Viva Touring P195/70R14 90T for $59 each
• Continental Cont-Trac SUV OWL P225/75R15 102S for $69 each
• Michelin E3 Asymm Blackwall, 215/60R16 95V for $99 each, plus with the purchase of four Michelin tires, consumers can take advantage of a $70 mail in rebate

"We are so pleased to be able to offer consumers this one time opportunity to take advantage of close-outs, one-of-a-kind, special purchases, overstocks and more," stated Lou Korpas, Belle Tire Marketing Director. "The Belle Tire Warehouse Sale offers customers huge “Carry Out Only” savings on leading brands for one day only; and, although no installation or services will be performed on Sunday, certificates for installation for a later date will be available for sale."

Belle Tire has long been trusted to provide customers with more value, services and protection the other stores can’t match. This one-day special savings event will bring the best deals direct from the warehouse to customers in every store.

ALLEN PARK, Michigan October 1, 2009 Belle Tire is on a mission to find the ultimate Wolverine fan. (Click here to enter the Belle Tire Ultimate Fan Contest)

Belle Tire wants the ultimate Michigan Fan to grab a video camera and Go Blue! Show Belle Tire what the ultimate University of Michigan Wolverine football fan is all about? This is the ultimate chance to win game tickets and a tailgate party for 25 friends and family members.

Belle Tire, the ultimate team of tire discounters and complete auto care specialists are offering this limited-time contest allowing Michigan Wolverine football lovers to enter and win 25 tickets for the Michigan game on October 17, 2009. The ultimate fan and guests will witness the maize and blue on the gridiron against Delaware State at the Big House in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

This includes a tailgate party at the Ann Arbor Pioneer High School where guests will also enjoy tasty food from Hungry Howie's, plus each guest will receive a Belle Tire/UofM t-shirt. "It's exciting to be able to do this promotion with the University of Michigan. We think we will have some great videos to choose from. We know the UofM fans will come up with some outstanding and unique ways to show their Go Blue team spirit"-Lou Korpas Marketing Director Belle Tire.

The concept of the Belle Tire ultimate Michigan fan contest is simple and plays to the unique experience that Belle Tire provides its customers. It's about people! Fans will create a video to express why they are the biggest fan by being as creative as possible. Sing, dance, dress up, rhyme or do whatever the ultimate fan thinks that the best Michigan fan can demonstrate to win.

Get your “game on” and get your video cameras rolling to demonstrate your true colors. Send Belle Tire a one minute video showing your school spirit and you could win:

• 25 tickets to the October 17 U of M vs. Delaware State game at the Big House
• A tailgate party* for 25 at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School including:
  • A 20’ x 30’ Tent, Table & Chairs
  • Coca-Cola Products
  • Subs, Wings Provided by Hungry Howie's
• Belle Tire/U of M T-shirt for 25
• A prize valued at $2500

How do I enter?

Create a one minute video, either by yourself or with a group. Cheer, sing, shout, dance, tumble, dress up, rhyme -- get creative! Submit the video on YouTube or Facebook and e-mail the link to us at uofmfan@belletire.com.

Video guidelines:

Videos from most cell phones, Blackberry and the new iPhone accepted! (Acceptable formats are: .avi, .dv, .mov, .qt, .mp4, .mpeg, .3gp, .asf, .wmv, .mpg.)

Maximum length of 1 Minute; maximum file size 200 MB.

Who picks the winner?

Once all the videos are received (by noon, Monday, October 12, 2009), a panel of Belle Tire judges will vote for the best. The winner will be notified on Tuesday, October 13, 2009. Click here to read more about the Belle Tire Ultimate Fan Contest

People have trusted Belle Tire for the best value since 1922. For the Best Tire Price, Period and great low prices on Custom Wheels, Alignments, Brakes, Batteries, Oil and Lube, Shocks & Struts, Windshield Repair and Replacement, and more. To learn more about Belle Tire, please visit