Opinion Archives - Page 50 of 53 - aftermarketNews
R. L. Polk & Co’s Ask the Industry Explores the Value of Vehicle Trend Data

In our previous “Ask the Industry” column, we asked a number of aftermarket companies what tools they use to make future business projections. In a mature industry that is constantly in a state of flux, it is important to use all the tools available to help ensure stability, growth and success. One such tool is vehicle trend data.

R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry Asks: How Do You Make Future Business Projections?

In an industry subject to ever changing market conditions, it’s important to have as many tools as possible to help project an accurate business forecast for the year ahead. For this week’s “Ask the Industry,” we asked a number of aftermarket firms what methods they use to make future business projections. Their responses conveyed the high-level of creativity and analysis that goes into predicting future supply and demand.

R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry: How to Find Great Employees

When it comes to news coverage about employment issues in the automotive industry, we typically hear of plant layoffs or the much talked about technician shortage. With all the negative press these days, we thought it might be time to focus on something a bit more positive. We asked a repair shop owner, a part store manager and an HR director for an aftermarket software company: “What channels does your company use to attract and retain the best and brightest young professionals?”

R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry Talks about Protecting Against Software Piracy

Thanks to increased legislative and media attention, the issue of counterfeiting has been pushed to the forefront of the American business’ consciousness. Blamed for the loss of billions of dollars every year, product counterfeiting is estimated to cause about $12 billion in lost sales annually for American automotive suppliers. Within the aftermarket, counterfeiting isn’t limited only to trademark violations or manufacture of knock-off parts. It also includes the illegal copying or ‘pirating’ of software, a primary business for a number of companies in the aftermarket. For this week’s “Ask the Industry,” we spoke with several companies that develop software solutions for the automotive aftermarket to find out how they protect against software piracy.

R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry: Countdown to AAPEX

It’s hard to believe, but the moment we’ve all been waiting for is now less than seven weeks away. And no, we’re not talking about Christmas. It’s the countdown to the annual Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo in Las Vegas , and we’ve asked a few aftermarket companies about their plans and preparations for the industry’s biggest event.

R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry Looks at the Future of Online Parts Ordering

Once considered nothing more than the latest trend for young and tech-savvy consumers, online shopping today is big business. While it has taken time for e-commerce to expand from its beginnings as a vehicle for primarily business-to-consumer purchasing, today, it has become a critical tool for successful business-to-business transactions. And, it seems that now, everyone wants in on the game. It’s not just a passing trend, but a must for those who want to keep their businesses current and on an upward growth track – especially in the automotive aftermarket. Simply type “buy auto parts” into Google and it will yield more than 50 million results.

R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry Looks at Lessons Learned from Past Technology Experiences

Inspired by the 2006 Aftermarket eForum that took place this month in Chicago, we asked some of the aftermarket’s technology experts to tell us what their companies do differently today in terms of technology, compared to 10 years ago, before the dot-com craze blew over. We wanted to know what lessons they might have taken away from that experience.

R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry Looks at the Value of Networking

This year, the Car Care Council Women’s Board celebrates ten years of bringing together aftermarket professionals to encourage more women to join the aftermarket and help women become better vehicle maintainers. At the recent Women’s Board summer meeting held last month in Atlanta, aftermarketNews Editor Amy Antenora asked a few longtime aftermarket executives what they get out of networking events and associations such as this. Here’s what they had to say.

R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry Goes to Washington

At MEMA’s recent Legislative Summit, congressional representatives discussed aftermarket issues with the association’s members. Counterman Managing Editor Michael Freeze spoke with a number of industry execs at the event, and asked: As an attendee at the MEMA Legislative Summit, what industry issue do you feel most passionate about?

R. L. Polk & Co’s Ask the Industry Gets Feedback from GAAS Attendees

Following a day full of insightful presentations at this year’s Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS), an evening cocktail reception gave GAAS attendees the perfect opportunity to network and discuss the day’s events. The reception, sponsored by Industrial Marketing & Research and Universal Underwriters with transportation provided by BB&T Capital Markets, took place Wednesday, May 18 at the Automotive Hall of Fame. Counterman Managing editor Michael Freeze interviewed a number of industry execs at the event, and asked: What GAAS presentation has been most valuable to you and why?

R. L. Polk & Co’s Ask the Industry: Synching Up Customer and Provider Expectations When it Comes to Pricing

As an industry, what can we do to get all service providers on the same page, in terms of getting a fair price for service and repair expertise, and being able to charge accordingly, without consumers feeling like they are being gouged?

R. L. Polk & Co’s Ask the Industry Looks at the Rising Need for ‘Premium’ Products

For this week’s Ask the Industry, we asked top executives at three leading aftermarket parts manufacturers: Do you foresee more suppliers expanding their aftermarket product offerings to include additional ‘premium’ products, since the demand today for OE and OE-equivalent parts, with their precise fit, form and function, is so strong?