A method for providing assistance to a distressed vehicle having a damaged
wheel component includes establishing geographically diverse assistance
point facilities and wheel component warehouse facilities, receiving an
assistance request regarding the vehicle, identifying an assistance point
facility in the vehicle's vicinity, transmitting information and
authorization to the assistance point facility, directing the repaired
vehicle to visit a dealer, providing dealer authorization to replace the
loaner wheel component with a new wheel component, and directing shipment
of the loaner wheel component to an assistance point facility. Each
facility maintains an inventory of loaner wheel components. Assistance
requests include information on vehicle location, vehicle damage, and
wheel component requirements. Transmitted information reveals the vehicle
location and enables identification of the loaner wheel component
corresponding to the vehicle's wheel component requirements. Transmitted
authorizations authorize service calls to repair the vehicle by replacing
the damaged wheel component with the loaner wheel component.