Automotive

I am willing to bet you have had your car repaired at Canadian Tire.  At the least, you have purchased a part or accessory for your car at Canadian Tire or the automotive specialty chain PartSource.  With over 600 stores across the country, they have an enormous influence on Canadian automotive aftermarket.

Automotive was the very beginning of Canadian Tire.  Originally a parts store, it has now grown into an automotive empire.  Boasting 5,500 auto service bays it is Canada's largest automotive repair chain.  Automotive has been a successful part of Canadian Tire for many reasons.

•   Over 300,000 unique auto parts available allowing for quick repair turnaround
•   Canada's largest tire and installer and supplier
•   Service bays offer all automotive services including DriveClean
•   Canadian Tire towing offers free tows to Canadian Tire stores
•   Coast to coast automotive warranty
•   Price match guarantee

Building on automotive success, in 1996 a new brand was developed within Canadian Tire to provide additional service to automotive customers and attempt to enter the ever growing business of wholesale parts to professional independant garages.   PartSource caters to the heavy do-it-yourselfer and professional installers who are looking for a typical automotive environment. PartSource has grown to almost 100 stores in it's short life and has proven to be a key to the success of Canadian Tire automotive in an increasingly competitve market.



Unfortunately, although Canadian Tire is a market leader in automotive we have all heard complaints or horror stories about the repairs at their service bays.  Outrageous bills, wrong parts, poor workmanship, and extremely long wait times are something that the majority of us have have experienced in some form.  I personally have not come across any issues as I do my own repairs but I have family members who have gone for simply routine service and maintenance and come back with nothing but an empty wallet and a headache.

I truly hope that Canadian Tire is able to improve it's image around automotive and become Canada's #1 choice for automotive service and parts.

References:

Canadian Tire (n.d.). Who We Are. Canadian Tire. Retrieved March 21, 2013, from http://corp.canadiantire.ca/EN/AboutUs/WhoWeAre/Pages/default.aspx

Canadian Tire (n.d.). Auto Products: GPS Navigation System, Auto Roof Rack, Auto Batteries & more | Canadian Tire. Canadian Tire Online Web Site. Retrieved March 21, 2013, from http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto.jsp