The Jacksonville launch marks a strategic entry into west-central Illinois, bringing the Plaza Tire Service brand to 18 locations within the state. The facility offers a full suite of maintenance, including brake service, oil changes, and diagnostics, aiming to capture both local traffic and regional commuters. Simultaneously, the company has completed the integration of Southern Tire Sales in Burlington, North Carolina. By rebranding the location under the Sun Auto banner, the firm expands its North Carolina presence to eight stores, promising to maintain the existing local staff while layering in the corporate network’s proprietary digital inspection and scheduling tools.

Rob Kingery, Regional Vice President of Operations, noted that these two openings represent distinct growth strategies: the Illinois store serves as a new-build investment in an emerging trade area, while the Burlington transition highlights the company’s focus on absorbing established local businesses into its infrastructure. With this expansion, the Sun Auto Network now operates more than 575 centers across the United States. The company continues to prioritize a standardized service model, emphasizing digital-first customer interactions and centralized diagnostic resources to differentiate its offerings in a fragmented automotive repair market.