Due to parts proliferation within the oxygen sensor segment, the number of repair shops that keep oxygen sensors in stock has dropped this year from 26 percent to 21.6 percent. When choosing a brand, trust is the ultimate factor, getting 81 percent of the votes. More than half of shops surveyed (53 percent) rely on their jobber as their primary source for O2 sensors. When asked how they chose who will be their ‘first call,’ availability and best sales reps tied as the top reasons with 33 percent of the votes. Fast delivery followed closely behind with 30 percent.
These and other statistics can be found in the Professional Automotive Repair Technician Survey (P.A.R.T.S.), produced annually by Counterman magazine. Eight 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.