Technicians perform an average of three jobs per month requiring fuel pumps and approximately 9 percent of shops keep this part in stock.

When it comes time to re-order, shops use an average of 2.7 sources for fuel pumps -- the leading source being the jobber, for 47 percent of shops surveyed. While WD direct remains the second-most popular primary source (16 percent), retailers have lost some popularity in this category, falling from 17 percent in 2008 to 13 percent in 2009. Car dealerships seemed to have picked up where the retailers left off -- gaining 3 points of share, growing from 8 percent in 2008 to 11 percent in 2009.

Fastest delivery (34 percent), best sales reps (33 percent) and availability (26 percent) are the top three reasons shops rely on their first call for fuel pumps.

Brand is extremely important in this category, with brand loyalty remaining at nearly 80 percent.

*Editor's Note: On the chart at left, 2009 is represented by the red bar; 2008 by the blue bar.

These and other statistics can be found in P.A.R.T.S., produced annually by Counterman magazine. Nine years ago, Counterman began surveying repair shops annually to determine when, how and why they source specific automotive parts and products. The resulting data, published every fall, offers perspective on how sourcing and brand-loyalty trends have changed. The 2009 P.A.R.T.S. report was mailed with the September issue of Counterman.