AAPEX Chosen for U.S. DOC International Buyer Program

AAIA Debuts New Groundbreaking Report

OESA President Neil De Koker to Discuss the Shifting OE Scene at GAAS 2008

USA Today Publishes AAIA Letter to the Editor

USA Today published a letter to the editor from Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO, AAIA, in this weekend’s edition. The letter reports consumer behavior changes in reaction to rising gas prices and points out how vehicle maintenance can increase fuel efficiency.

“If gasoline hits $4 per gallon as many economists predict, an estimated 57 percent of American car owners say they will dramatically change their driving behavior,” Schmatz said. “According to a survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation for AAIA and the Car Care Council, 75 percent of consumers say they are maintaining their vehicle better because of rising gas prices.”

The letter went on to say that while driving less might not be an option for many motorists, performing simple and inexpensive vehicle maintenance will not only save gas money, but will improve vehicle safety and dependability. A number of gas savings tips were listed.

Both AAIA and the Car Care Council report unprecedented interest and inquiries from the consumer media about the recent survey and for information and advice about what types of vehicle maintenance consumers can do to take control of how much gas they use.

New Version of Car Care Guide Shows How to Save Gas and Drive Green

New sections on Fuel Economy and Environmental Awareness have been added to the Car Care Guide to show consumers how to get better gas mileage and make their vehicle environmentally friendly. Published by the Car Care Council, the guide is a popular consumer give-away at repair shops and retail stores.

The Fuel Economy section covers the parts of the car that need proper maintenance in order to maximize efficiency and save money at the pump. It recommends typical service intervals and includes questions to ask the automotive repair technician.

The section on Environmental Awareness explains how motorists can do their part to protect the environment in terms of driving habits and vehicle maintenance. This section has tips on Driving Green and lists the components of a vehicle that should be routinely checked to make sure a car’s performance is as environmentally friendly as possible.

“The new sections are designed to help people better understand that the amount of gas they use is directly related to how they maintain and drive their vehicle,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. 

The Car Care Guide uses easy-to-understand everyday language, instead of technical automotive jargon, and fits easily in a glove box. The guide covers the most common preventative maintenance occasions and procedures that need to be performed to keep cars safe, dependable and efficient. It also includes descriptions of 12 major vehicle systems and parts, and a list of questions to ask when maintenance or repair procedures are being done on a car. A Car Care Checklist reminds motorists what vehicle systems need to be maintained and when service or repair should be performed.

For more information on the Car Care Council, visit www.carcare.org.

AAPEX Chosen for U.S. DOC International Buyer Program

The Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) is one of 28 trade shows selected to participate in the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Buyer Program (IBP). As part of the program, AAPEX and its exhibitors will be promoted around the world, and U.S. Commercial Service Trade Specialists will recruit and lead buyer delegations to the event, Tuesday, Nov. 4 through Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Sands Expo Center, in Las Vegas, Nev. 

“IBP participation gives AAPEX exhibitors greater opportunities to meet international buyers, representatives and distributors in order to expand their business globally,” said Bill Glasgow, Sr., AAPEX show manager. “It also gives exhibitors access to hundreds of current international trade leads from the automotive aftermarket industry.”

Under the program, qualified U.S. exhibitors will be able to meet with the delegation leaders from the various U.S. Embassies and Consulates, as well as the international buyers in each delegation. International Trade Specialists also will be available in the onsite AAPEX Center for International Commerce (CIC) to provide export counseling and market information at no cost to AAPEX exhibitors. The CIC also will have computerized product and exporter locator services, interpreters and private meeting spaces, as well as credit card, telephone and fax services. Lists and profiles of international buyers attending AAPEX also will be available in the CIC.

International buyers travel from more than 150 countries to attend AAPEX. The event attracts attendees from every industry segment, including manufacturers, wholesalers, warehouse distributors, jobbers, retailers, independent service providers, technicians, parts stores, manufacturers’ reps, exporters, importers and packagers.

Buyer registration is open and can be done online at www.aapexshow.com. Buyers who have previously attended AAPEX can use their Alumni numbers to expedite the registration process and receive show credentials in the mail prior to AAPEX.

For more information on AAPEX, visit www.aapexshow.com.

AAIA Debuts New Groundbreaking Report

Looking into the aftermarket crystal ball for 2012, you will find an array of valuable forecasts intended to help complement your market intelligence gathering and challenge your long-term strategic thinking, according to AAIA, which just released its Aftermarket FastForward 2012 in partnership with Lang Marketing Resources, Inc.

Among the forecasts for 2012 revealed in this new report, you will find the following:

• 13,000 fewer light vehicle service bays by 2012
• Foreign car and light truck aftermarket product growth will double domestic vehicle
• Of the 80 aftermarket product categories mentioned, find out which 10 will exceed 5.5 percent annual growth
• 950 fewer jobbers by 2012
• Two outlets will achieve more than 85 percent of DIY aftermarket product growth
• Traditional WDs will decline 9 percent
• Retail auto parts stores will outnumber Jobber outlets

“While so much of our industry’s attention is focused on the impact of rising fuel costs and other economic pressures, gaining insights into channel analysis, outlet and product trends for the next five years is invaluable,” said Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA president and CEO. “This 320-page publication is a one-of-a-kind comprehensive report with unique analytical perspective with some surprising conclusions and forecasts about what our industry will look like in 2012.”

Aftermarket FastForward 2012 drills down into the following major subject areas:

• Aftermarket size analysis and underlying trends
• Service and do-it-yourself market analysis 
• Domestic and foreign vehicle aftermarket analysis
• Passenger car and light truck aftermarket volume
• Distribution channel volume/growth
• Key traditional channel distributors: warehouses and jobbers
• Retail auto parts stores

Aftermarket size analysis is presented for 2006 through 2012. Aftermarket volume is differentiated between products, purchased service and major vehicle segments. Size of the service (do-it-for-me) and do-it-yourself markets is provided through 2012. Regional volume of these market segments, along with regional market growth, is also presented. The following seven major service outlets are analyzed:

• Service stations and garages
• Foreign specialists
• Vehicle dealers
• Auto parts stores with bays
• Repair specialists
• Discount stores/mass merchandisers with bays
• Tire stores

For information on purchasing Aftermarket FastForward 2012, contact AAIA at 301-654-6664 or visit the AAIA online Commerce Center at www.aftermarket.org.

OESA President Neil De Koker to Discuss the Shifting OE Scene at GAAS 2008
 
Neil De Koker, president and CEO, Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA), will present "The Shifting OE Scene from Detroit to Tokyo, to Shanghai, to New Delhi" on Tuesday, May 20, during the 2008 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Chicago, Ill.

De Koker's presentation will address the many issues that carmakers continue to wrestle with and that will trickle down to the automotive aftermarket. He will discuss carmakers' response to increased U.S. fuel efficiency standards and what technology changes are likely to occur under the hood.

His comments also will address the impact hybrids, flex fuel vehicles and other mileage cars have on the market and which vehicle manufacturers around the globe will drive change affecting the global auto industry.

De Koker is the founding president of OESA, the original equipment market segment association of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA).

De Koker's 45-year career in the automotive industry includes 23 years with General Motors Corp., where he played a lead role in the development and organization of Saturn Corp. He spent four years at Magna International serving as senior vice president, helping to organize and manage the formation of the automotive systems corporations. In addition, he served as senior vice president for The Woodbridge Group and MascoTech Inc., and co-owned a corporate communications company focused on automotive customers.

For more information about GAAS 2008, visit www.globalsymposium.org.