Joe’s Garage, a real-world shop setup on the AAPEX show floor, officially was introduced in 2021. It has since grown to include 10 fully equipped bays with working lifts, running vehicles and a source capture vehicle exhaust extraction system, as well as a front counter. The shop has become the place for service and repair professionals from around the world to see product and equipment demonstrations, ask questions and receive training from leading manufacturers and suppliers. This week’s blog provides an inside look at what’s in store for service and repair professionals from BG Products (Bay 7, Level 1, The Venetian Expo), an early supporter and partner in Joe’s Garage. Visit Joe’s Garage for a list of all exhibiting companies.

To me, the motor vehicle aftermarket is much more than just replacement parts. I’ve always had a love of vehicles from growing up at car shows with my family, but that is not why I chose the aftermarket. I chose to get an education in this industry and commit my career to it because of the people and sense of community the aftermarket provides.

A unique journey to AAPEX 2023: Restoring a rare Lincoln Blackwood, traversing the Lincoln Highway, and diving deep into the automotive aftermarket.

A unique journey to AAPEX 2023: Restoring a rare Lincoln Blackwood, traversing the Lincoln Highway, and diving deep into the automotive aftermarket.

The challenging quest to restore the rare Lincoln Blackwood for AAPEX 2023, navigating the scarce parts landscape.

Ohio technical college pros and the next-gen techs in overcome challenges in restoring a rare Lincoln Blackwood on the Road to AAPEX.

A unique journey to AAPEX 2023: Restoring a rare Lincoln Blackwood, traversing the Lincoln Highway, and diving deep into the automotive aftermarket.

The automotive aftermarket grew 9.7% in 2022, outperforming expectations (previously forecast at 8.5%). With high inflation persisting, the industry is expected to grow an additional 8.1% in 2023. The auto care industry continues to show its reliability and ability to adapt across the service and retail sectors, continually adjusting to meet demand in an ever-dynamic market.

In an increasingly connected world, trade between the United States and China has significantly transformed both nations’ economies into a complex and multifaceted partnership. It has been marked by periods of cooperation, growth, tension and contention. While opportunities and challenges continue to shape this critical economic alliance, both countries continue to navigate their role on the global stage.

If it were up to the fundamentals of the aftermarket, we would enjoy strong parts sales for the rest of the year and would only need inflation for a little extra boost. As it is, though, the fundamentals – the number of vehicles, their average age, and the miles they travel – are battling economic conditions to control near-term sales.