Just under a third of Beaurepaires' nationwide tyre-servicing stores will be sold or closed under a proposal by its American owner, Goodyear Dunlop.

The closures would affect 24 Beaurepaires chain stores nationwide which mainly offer sales and services for commercial vehicles such as buses and trucks, Goodyear Dunlop spokesman Marty Dinniss said.

Up to 219 employees could be affected by the changes, although a consultancy period with the staff and their union was currently being worked through, Dinniss said.

Much of the commercial sector work was done off-site at truck yards or at the roadside.

Beaurepaires' consumer-focused business, best known for its television advertisements starring Vince Martin, would not be affected, said Dinniss.

Goodyear Dunlop's wholesale tyre supply to other retailers will not be affected and neither will Beaurepaires' farm tyre servicing operation.

Two commercial re-treading facilities are also up for sale or closure.

Two buyers had already expressed interest in purchasing the stores, Dinniss said.

The changes had resulted from a tough market and an internal strategic review which looked at costs and how the company could be more "cost competitive".

The company would focus on its strengths of providing tyres for passenger cars, four-wheeled drive vehicles and light trucks, he said.

Goodyear Dunlop declined to release a list of the affected stores because it might affect their potential sale value as a going concern.

- © Fairfax NZ News