Automotive Trucks information on net.

The United States automotive aftermarket expanded 4.4% to $155 billion in 1999 according to the Aftermarket Factbook, recently released by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry of America (AAIA).

The do-it-for-me (DIFM) segment accounted for the largest slice of the pie, racking up 66% of total sales. The DIY market for parts and accessories such as motor oil and chemicals accounted for 22% of sales.

Conversely, DIY activity among consumers dropped to 37% in 1999, from 42% in 1993, the report stated. Furthermore, the amount of DTYers tackling heavy repairs and maintenance fell to 8% in 1999, down from 28% in 1994. Despite this fall-off in home repair tendency, aftermarket retailers managed to compensate elsewhere and continued to drive up sales. The report states that sales in the aftermarket channel rose to $10 billion in 1999, up from $9.8 billion in 1998.

Of the top aftermarket retailers, which includes AutoZone, Advanced Auto Parts, Pep Boys, CSK Automotive, O'Reilly Automotive Inc., Discount Auto Parts and Track Auto, only Track and Pep Boys showed a drop in year-over-ear revenue. Memphis-based AutoZone, the nation's No. 1 aftermarket retailer posted a 23% increase in sales between 1998 and 1999. Additionally, AutoZone reported that first quarter 2000 sales broke the $1 billion dollar mark, a first for the chain. Advanced Auto Parts, housed in Roanoke, Va., posted an impressive 80% jump in its sales in the same time period.

While the retailers seem to be humming along nicely, the book projects that aftermarket sales will slow in 2000 and 2001. According to the fact-book, an increase in new vehicles combined with longer lasting parts will slow replacement rates for many aftermarket retailers.

Another telling statistic that surfaced in the report includes that fact that sales grew fastest (6%) in the heavy-duty truck segment, as miles driven rose to meet the demands of new housing and the booming construction industry. Record sales of new and medium heavy trucks created a glut of used vehicles and contributed to higher demand for truck replacement parts and repair services.