Brand is a top factor in the oxygen sensor category. In its annual P.A.R.T.S. survey, Counterman found that 76 percent of repair shops responding to the survey only use a brand of O2 sensor that they trust. This is down slightly from 81 percent in 2008. The percentage of respondents who said they trust their source to choose brand for them nearly doubled year over year – from 7 percent in 2008 to 13 percent in 2009.

Shops responding to the annual P.A.R.T.S. survey perform an average of five jobs per month requiring oxygen sensors. Twenty-two percent keep the part in stock. When re-ordering, shops use an average of 2.7 sources, and jobbers continue to be the leading source for 50 percent of respondents.

Editor's Note: In the chart above, the blue bar represents the year 2008 and the red bar represents 2009.

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.