Responsible Manufacturing: The Backbone of a Strong Circular Economy and Aftermarket Suppliers

The automotive aftermarket is a great industry — one that has been around since the advent of the automobile. It’s safe to say that the first aftermarket part was likely installed on the first working automobile moments after the early end of its first test drive. That’s what our industry does. We supply the parts, technologies and services that help people keep their vehicles on the road, every day, after their vehicles are first made. READ MORE  

Emerging Vehicle Technologies Show No Sign of Slowing

The rate of technological expansion can be hard to wrap your head around – a number of attempts to quantify this trend simply return charts with steep inclines resembling slopes more extreme than Mount Everest. One thing is for certain – the growth is exponential and there is no sign of it slowing. READ MORE  

What’s Age Got to Do With It?

Age really is just a number in the automotive industry. Age really does affect so much that we do and how we live. We do not like to talk about age because it is taboo, but the reality is that we all age, and we are all getting older and new generations are following.  READ MORE  

Business Opportunities in the Global Automotive Aftermarket

As the auto care industry becomes more borderless, AAPEX increases its presence in the international automotive community by offering and promoting international business opportunities for attendees. READ MORE  

Tough Times and Aftermarket Resiliency

The U.S. automotive aftermarket continued its strong growth through 2021 and is projected to hit the $400 billion milestone by 2025. For this information I wish to thank Shane Norton at S&P Global (formerly IHS Markit) for this update to our annual Channel Forecast of market size. READ MORE  

The Latest On U.S. – China Trade

The automotive aftermarket industry has been heavily impacted by the U.S.-China trade war. While it is important to develop a comprehensive strategy for the U.S.-China trade relationship that supports U.S. workers, the Section 301 tariffs have also caused severe economic harm to U.S. businesses struggling with supply chain uncertainty and U.S. consumers facing increased repair costs. READ MORE  

In a Technology Tsunami, the Time Is Now to Step Up and Protect the Aftermarket’s Future

The auto care industry is in the midst of a technology tsunami. Current vehicles on the road today are software-driven computers on wheels, with nearly every aspect of the vehicle controlled by software. READ MORE  

Where are you going, what have you learned?

What’s the status quo? We’re back to normal, right? Schools have been in-person all year and families have resumed vacation travel. Since AAPEX 2021, I’ve attended two conferences and worked in the office about half the time. READ MORE  

What Does AAPEX Have to Do with Right to Repair?

By Bill Hanvey, president and CEO, Auto Care Association

As I receive the notification in my inbox for a THIRD delay in a decision regarding the Right to Repair court case the automakers filed against the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, it highlights how important it is for me to share with you what our industry is up against, and what to truly expect in the battle for maintenance and repair data.

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Safe, Secure, Standardized and Direct Access to Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Data on Display at AAPEX 2021

By Joe Register, vice president, Emerging Technologies, Auto Care Association

Our entire industry triumphed when we secured the Right to Repair vehicles in 2014. In 2020, the battle continued as the days of open access to the On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port dwindled. Today, repair and diagnostic data is being transmitted… READ MORE