In this installment of “The Pulse,” we take a closer look at the yearly fluctuations in unperformed maintenance. Utilizing data from the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association’s (AASA) 2008-2009 Automotive Aftermarket Status Report, we look at unperformed maintenance viewed as a percent of total aftermarket potential.

According to AASA’s research, unperformed maintenance is likely to increase in 2008. The untapped market of unperformed and underperformed maintenance was estimated at approximately $55 billion in 2007, about $2 billion more than in 2006. Now, given current economic conditions along with continuing high gas prices, AASA anticipates an increase this year. Because vehicle miles of travel is expected to remain well below trend, when viewed as a percentage of total aftermarket potential, the untapped market for automotive maintenance and repair may exceed 23 percent this year, according to the association.

* Data and graph courtesy of AASA.

Now in its 10th year of publication, the Automotive Aftermarket Status Report is designed to serve as a resource for the information needed for strategic planning, budgeting, new p rod uct launch and more. Copies of the 2008-2009 AASA Automotive Aftermarket Status Report – in print or on CD-ROM – may be ordered online in the publications section of the AASA Web site, www.aftermarketsuppliers.org. The member price is $125 and the non-member price is $500. Please e-mail [email protected] for information about volume discounts.