Each week, The Pulse provides insight into the buying, sourcing and brand-loyalty habits of counter personnel and professional technicians. This week, using data from Industrial Marketing Research’s (IMR) Installer Survey, we will summarize a series of reports that look at the model year of vehicles that are being serviced by the various service outlets.

In the survey, shop manager respondents were presented with the question, “What model years of cars account for most of your volume?”

The following chart shows the answers from General Repair Shops, New Car Dealerships and Quick Lubes. The shape of the curve shows that New Car Dealerships have the advantage in the early years while the vehicle is still under warranty. As the vehicle gets older, there is a dramatic shift away from the New Car Dealership to the General Repair Shop and Quick Lube. It is very apparent that the aftermarket is winning the battle for the older vehicle, which needs the most service.

For more information on IMR and its research capabilities, visit IMR at http://www.industrialmr.com or call 800-654-1079.