United States consumers' performance of certain automotive maintenance chores in 2000 indicates a recovering aftermarket, according to the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) analysis of US automotive maintenance, Market Analysis of Replacement Rates of US Automotive Parts 2001.
Windshield wiper arm replacement increased nearly 52% from 1997 to 2000, according to Replacement Rates 2001. Replacement of air filters, drivebelts, brake shoes, and pads returned to normal levels after declines in 1999. Consumers' rates of adding antifreeze and flushing radiator/cooling systems also returned to pre-1999 levels.
Record-high used-car sales in 2000 may have spurred this burst of automotive maintenance, Frank Hampshire, MEMA research director, said. “These sales create opportunities for aftermarket sales as individuals prepare vehicles for trade-in, dealers make improvements on vehicles, and used-car purchasers perform work on the vehicle they just purchased,” he said.
Replacement Rates 2001, a three-panel pocket card published annually by MEMA, reports the number of privately owned, light vehicles in use from 1996 to 2000 and shows the incidence of component replacement and service jobs for those years. The report card shows the percentage change in 54 services from 1996 to 2000. This card explains how to use these calculations and the existing replacement rate percentages.
This year's edition contains new categories, including “Per Owners Manual,” the scheduled maintenance at the dealership. Also new to Replacement Rates 2001 is number of cylinders per vehicle.
MEMA members receive one copy of Replacement Rates 2001 as part of membership. The card is available to non-members for $50 per copy. To obtain copies, phone 919-549-4800.