CrossCheck Blog

Much has been made of the inventory crunch in both the new- and used-car markets. The Covid effect has been especially difficult for the auto dealer industry as thousands of new cars are sitting idle, waiting for computer chips that continue to be in extremely low supply. Auto Repair shops are taking note as customers delay buying a new car and instead look to maintain older vehicles.

Owning a car is expensive. The American Automobile Association (AAA) says it costs about $8,469 if you drive an average of 15,000 miles a year. But Nerdwallet gets more granular and they calculate a typical monthly cost as follows:

Auto parts industry professionals from around the country gather each year at the SEMA Show (Specialty Equipment Market Association) to compare notes, practices, and most importantly, automobiles. SEMA is expected to put this year’s newest trends on display at their big event on October 30 – November 2 in Las Vegas. The SEMA Show contains over 2,400 exhibiting companies and every type of new and hot product that one could imagine. It offers well-known speakers, a plethora of demonstrations, educational seminars and numerous networking opportunities. The convention covers over one million square feet of space and SEMA brags of over 70,000 buyers attending last year’s show.

If you hear yourself saying, “we’re an auto parts store, not a savings and loan,” more often than you like, then perhaps you’ll stick around long enough to discover five tools to increase sales. It’s no wonder you feel that way given the cost of card-terminal certifications in relation to time and money. Then there’s the problem with independent garages taking an extra 60 days to pay their monthly balances or even bouncing those checks. You’re in the business of moving auto parts to legitimate wholesale and retail customers, and you want to keep it that way.

Don't hate! David Hasselhoff is huge in Germany, and as it turns out, so is the price tag on the Knight Industries Two Thousand, or just plain KITT to mere mortals such as ourselves. Lucky for us, the focus of this infographic is on the auto aftermarket cost of our favorite Sci-Fi Movie Cars and not the discography of The Hoff. (<<< "You're welcome" for that link right there!)

When you go shopping for a new car, you probably have a checklist of what you are looking for. The checklist might include some of the following things: Finances – what you can afford and likely be approved for by the bank The driving experience you get at the dealership when you take a test drive Styling preferences and brand image (e.g. luxury, near luxury, economy, etc.) Perceived quality and reliability reputation Your previous experience with the brand and the dealer Maintenance plans and other options But none of these things apply to car collectors who are looking for a specific year, make and model of a vehicle that was made 20 or 30 years ago. Actually, since the average car on the road today is 11 years old, 20 years old doesn’t seem so old anymore, does it?

The SEMA Show takes place October 31 – November 3, 2017 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Nevada. Produced by the Specialty Equipment Market Association to serve the auto aftermarket, the SEMA Show is billed as “the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world,” drawing “the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to one place.” The trade-only conference delivers a wealth of information from auto aftermarket vendors, auto and light truck accessory dealers, auto parts stores, tire and wheel dealers, repair specialists and shops, racing engine builders and more. It’s a must-see event for buyers, managers, wholesalers or anyone in the auto aftermarket industry who is interested in expanding their knowledge.

Each year during the first week of November, the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) hosts the SEMA Show for auto aftermarket dealers. The annual trade show welcomes industry professionals in manufacturing, sales, distribution and marketing of specialty-equipment parts, accessories, vehicle customization and vehicle performance enhancements. The 2017 SEMA show takes place October 31 – November 3 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Nevada.

Jamie Jones is driving her twin teens to soccer practice and is alarmed when her 10-year-old Range Rover becomes powerless on the freeway. The engine is roaring, but the SUV feels like it is in neutral for periods lasting two or three seconds. As she will find out soon enough, the problem is a worn automatic transmission that slips between gears. Jamie and her family live in an affluent zip code near Houston, so having the high-end SUV repaired is only a minor inconvenience. But what if the family in question drives a less expensive vehicle in a more modest neighborhood? The answer is that most people will go to their local transmission shop for a diagnostic and repair estimate.

It's not too late for consumers and auto aftermarket dealers to make the most of Fall Care Care Month by the Car Care Council. The campaign aims to increase auto aftermarket sales by creating promotional opportunities in April (National Car Care Month) and October. Funded and directed by the Auto Care Association, the non-profit's online "Industry Tool Box" provides resources, examples and pre-written messaging to help the auto aftermarket industry reach new customers and reinforce brand loyalty among existing ones.