RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Full service automotive aftermarket suppliers are optimistic and have a positive outlook for 2014, according to responses to the first quarter 2014 “Aftermarket Supplier Barometer” survey conducted by the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA).
“Supplier sentiment is positive for Q1 2014, registering at the highest level AASA has recorded in its quarterly barometers since early 2012,” said Bill Long, president and chief operating officer of AASA. “Supplier sentiment indicates a strong start for suppliers in 2014.”
“The majority of AASA’s Q1 Barometer participants reported that sales performance continued to rise, with both aftermarket and OES sales increasing to the highest levels reported in our survey since 2012,” said Curtis Draper, AASA vice president of industry analysis, programs and member services. “Strong sales, increases in inventory, capacity and hiring, and the uptick in optimism bode well for aftermarket suppliers.”
AASA will continue to watch this trend in upcoming quarterly Barometers, Draper noted. “We will be tracking to see if this positive start to 2014 is due to the cold winter weather in Q1 or if additional factors and emerging trends are driving growth,” he explained.
The “AASA Aftermarket Supplier Barometer” is a quarterly survey of AASA full service supplier members on key indicators and market trends. The full survey report is an exclusive AASA member benefit and is available only to member companies that participate in the survey.
