RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC — Unperformed maintenance in the American automotive aftermarket industry topped out at $56 billion in 2004, according to the soon-to-be-released 2005 AASA Automotive Aftermarket Status Report.
High gas prices played a role in the unperformed maintenance total, according to Frank Hampshire, director of market research for MEMA’s Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association. “Consumers tended to perform maintenance when they felt it could improve their vehicle’s fuel efficiency,” he said.
Hampshire noted that tune-ups performed rose slightly, which is one indication of his theory. In addition, $2.1 billion of air filters were sold – in a market that is estimated at $1.5 billion — furthering Hampshire’s theory.
“However, there were more maintenance categories that were neglected compared to those that weren’t,” Hampshire noted. “Items that have historically been neglected are still not being maintained.
The most neglected products fell in the “undercar” category. These products include brakes (calipers, linings, rotors), shocks/struts, exhaust systems, catalytic converters, fuel pumps, steering components, wheel bearings, CV joints and wheel alignments.
Air conditioning system maintenance was another segment that suffered because of high gas prices, according to Hampshire, who said that many consumers will not repair malfunctioning A/C systems, or turn them off, because of the mistaken impression that it will increase their vehicle’s fuel efficiency.
For more information about AASA, go to: www.aftermarketsuppliers.org.
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