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.

July is Right to Repair Awareness month! In the short video, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, an original cosponsor of the REPAIR Act (H.R. 906) and a former co-owner of an auto repair and machine shop before coming to Congress, sums up why the REPAIR Act is so important for shops and consumers.

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) has designated June as Automotive Service Professionals Month (ASPM), the ideal time to recognize skilled automotive professionals and the valuable service they provide from coast to coast. This special month provides a prime opportunity for customers to express gratitude toward the service professionals who ensure their vehicles’ safe operation, while also allowing the industry to commend all the professionals who work in the service repair area. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a tool like any other. It needs to be understood. It needs to be specific to the job at hand – specific to automotive in order to meet the challenges we’re facing. When leveraged correctly, it can help build trust between the shop and the consumer through transparent sharing of personalized, vehicle-specific, historical repair information.

The automotive aftermarket industry is experiencing a greater awareness of the nuances of sustainability as the world faces the growing need to address environmental challenges. Embracing and publicizing eco-friendly practices and reducing the ecological footprint has become an expanding focus for businesses within the industry.

What’s going on in 2023 and how do you navigate the ups and downs of the service and repair aftermarket? In the short video below, the Aftermarket Radio Network team shares insights and advice on managing the challenges and embracing the opportunities facing the aftermarket in 2023. The speakers – all with many years of experience in the aftermarket – emphasize the need to focus on sales, cost of goods, margins, productivity, cash management, networking, hiring a coach and being optimistic.