70% of US Households Perform Vehicle Maintenance
Contrary
to some industry and Wall Street naysayers, the Do-it-Yourself
(DIY) segment of the automotive aftermarket is not dying. In fact,
70 percent of U.S. households have someone who has personally
performed vehicle maintenance or repair in the last year, according
to a new market research study released by the
Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA).
"The
Aftermarket Consumer: DIY or DIFM" report reveals that 62
percent of DIYers are doing the same amount of work or more work
than five years ago. The primary reason DIYers gave for doing
maintenance and repair themselves was to save money. About 38
percent of DIYers indicated they did less work now than five years
ago because repairs are more complicated, they own newer vehicles,
they're too old or have less time.
The
majority of consumers surveyed (88.5 percent) indicated that they
had some type of professional service done on their vehicles in
the past 12 months. Quality of service and trust were the top
criteria for selecting a service provider, with the cost factor
ranking seventh.
"This
comprehensive study provides new detailed insight into the
behavior, attitudes and perceptions of DIYers and DIFMers,"
said
Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA president and CEO. "Our in-depth analysis
of U.S. motorists will help aftermarket businesses better understand
their ever-changing marketplace."
The
report analyzes consumer responses to numerous topics covered
in the survey, including:
-
Consumer
maintenance and repair behavior
-
Light,
medium and heavy DIY/DIFM work
-
Frequency
and type of DIY/DIFM work
-
Where
DIYers purchase products and why
-
Factors
in selecting service provider for DIFMers
-
DIY
and DIFM demographics
-
Tool
and accessory purchasing
"The
Aftermarket Consumer: DIY or DIFM" is available to AAIA members
for $295 and to non-members for $795. For more information or
to order a copy, contact AAIA at 301-654-6664, or visit www.aftermarket.org.
About
AAIA
The
Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) is a Bethesda,
Md.-based association whose more than 4,400 member companies and
affiliates manufacture, distribute and sell motor vehicle parts,
accessories, service, tools, equipment, materials and supplies.
Through its membership, AAIA represents more than 45,000 repair
shops and parts stores. |