Bridgestone Select Tyre & Auto Werribee is the newest addition to the national network and has become the 200th location to open since the franchise was launched in 2006.
Franchisee Marco Licalsi brings three decades of industry experience to the network and has served the Werribee community for the past 16 years under another brand.
He says the transition to the Bridgestone Select Tyre & Auto franchise has brought new energy and initiatives to his store.
“It’s special to be part of a milestone for the network and celebrate not only a new beginning for my store with Bridgestone but also be part of something so significant to the brand’s history,” Licalsi says.
“Australians trust Bridgestone more than any other tyre brand; they set the standard in our industry, and I’ve always been a fan of their product,” he says.
Licalsi’s rebrand to the Bridgestone Select Tyre & Auto name occurred almost 16 years after he opened his business on the corner of Bridge Street and Princes Highway. He says Bridgestone’s commitment to customer service resonated with him and drove him to join the network as store number 200.
“Becoming a Bridgestone store means I can offer more to my customers, including e-commerce and the Bridgestone Tech Check video platform. These are two things that have been so well received by customers and make a huge difference to their experience,” he says.
Bridgestone Australia & New Zealand managing director Heath Barclay says the opening of the 200th store comes at a time when trust, transparency, and customer service are more critical than ever.
“We understand that tyres and mechanical servicing can be tasks that many motorists dread, so we’re committed to delivering the best possible experience for Australians through our network of 200 Bridgestone Select Tyre & Auto stores,” Barclay says.
“Trust and confidence are essential in car maintenance, especially in the current economic climate. Bridgestone Select Tyre & Auto’s commitment to transparency and exceptional customer service continues to prove a winner with Australian motorists.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Marco and his team into the network as our milestone 200th store. I know they will further strengthen our footprint of local, trusted experts for tyre and mechanical needs,” he says.
The launch of the Bridgestone Select franchise model in 2006 went against industry conventions and challenged the perception of what a tyre store should be. Bridgestone Select’s ambition to make the showroom more welcoming and remove tyres from the showroom environment stunned the industry.
Bridgestone’s retail offering became even more convenient with the introduction of mechanical servicing, which led to the brand’s evolution to become Bridgestone Select Tyre & Auto.
Bridgestone Select Tyre & Auto introduced its e-commerce platform in 2019 and has continued to go from strength to strength with its transparent online pricing and seamless online-to-store transactions.
The online offering allows customers to select their ideal tyre online and book at their nearest store, with flexibility in payments either on the website or in-store, including buy now, pay later options through Afterpay and Zip Pay.
The network set another new industry benchmark in 2023 with the nationwide rollout of the Bridgestone Tech Check platform, which gives motorists a mechanic’s perspective through a short video outlining what needs fixing now and what can wait.
Bridgestone Australia sales director Claudio Sodano says that Bridgestone Select Tyre & Auto’s growth has come from its customer-focused offerings.
“Bridgestone Select Tyre & Auto has evolved significantly since the opening of the first store, to the opening of store number 200, but our commitment to customer service has remained the same,” Sodano says.
“We’ve continued to put the customer first, and in doing so, we’ve grown to be one of the most extensive networks in the country and one of the most trusted providers of tyre and mechanical services in Australia.
“The opening of our 200th store is another reason Australian motorists can go confidently, knowing that local experts like Marco Licalsi are ready to provide professional and trustworthy service,” Sodano says.
Australians benefit from Bridgestone Select Tyre & Auto’s multi-award winning customer service, with the network taking out Gold in the 2023 Reader’s Digest Quality Service Awards in the tyre retailer category, and Most Outstanding Customer Service award for Car Servicing in the CANSTAR Blue rankings, with a 5-star rating across all categories.
Bridgestone Select Tyre & Auto is Bridgestone’s primary retail channel, with stores in all capital and major cities throughout the country. The network of 200 Bridgestone Select Tyre & Auto stores is complemented by 150 Bridgestone Service Centres in regional areas of Australia.
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