Looking Into the Future of the Aftermarket
Alfred L. Gaspar, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), discussed major factors that influence the industry in: The Crystal Ball Game: What's Ahead for the Aftermarket. He focused on four major future aftermarket influencers.
Trade associations will continue to serve as providers of influence and valuable resources to the industries they represent, serving as communities where individuals and companies with similar needs come together for help. Gaspar saw the challenges facing trade associations in the future as: competition from dot.coms and for-profit enterprises, consolidation, and information technology.
Electronic commerce will greatly impact the aftermarket by driving down costs, increasing sales opportunities, and bringing competitors together in a spirit of collaboration. E-commerce will thrive on open standards being developed by trade associations. He described four major standards underway at AAIA: electronic catalog standards, product information exchange standards, shop integration standards and category management.
Legislation to reduce emissions and improve safety will impact the aftermarket because although both of these areas have been greatly improved, regulators, environmental and safety groups want more. Major initiatives to be aware of are zero emissions, 15 years/150,000 miles emissions warranty, OBD III and 42-volt systems. He pointed out a potential huge growth area for the aftermarket in periodic motor vehicle inspections (PMVI) which are currently only required in 17 states.
Exporting the U.S. aftermarket model globally is an area of high growth potential for U.S. companies. As foreign societies begin to demand cleaner, safer vehicles, the U.S. aftermarket will be the undisputed leader in meeting their needs. Gaspar said the industry must push for world trade accords, reduce barriers to U.S. products, work with local partners to build an independent aftermarket, invest in mobility and help build local economies from the bottom up.
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