'Tis the year for change.

'Tis the year for change, according to our State of the Industry prospect report, a comprehensive yet exhaustive analysis of each segment of the automotive aftermarket--covering manufacturers, retailers, warehouse distributors, jobbers, program clusters independent repair shops, dealerships and consumer A total of 2905 individuals from all from one side of to the other the United States, most of whom (with the exception of the consumer polled) had at least 25 years of experience in the automotive industry, complet a detailed online questionnaire. In our exclusive secondary annual report, we followed in the footfalls of the industry and made a certain changes of our own.

In an effort to make the report easier to read, we divided up the overwhelming amount of data into fundamental note headings, like returns, marketing outreach, training, recruiting, inventory management, online habits and more. The mode to our madness included searching high and grave for facts that we notion would interest or surprise you, while ultimately educating you onward all areas of the industry.

A STRATEGY TOWARD GROWTH

Although last year marked a peak in world extension we should expect to view slower, more balanced growth moving forward. Stronger exchange rates against the U dollar will likely mean fewer exports to the United States and more of our have product going abroad. We'll continue to be a major contender in the world market if it be not that not as powerful as in years past. China's booming economy may be the big story this year too, along with the revolution of information technology. Inflation will become a make anxious as it is expected to remain near 2 percent if it be not that the unemployment rate will gradually decline, says the Council of Economic Advisors. There is no doubt the overall U economy, along with China's, will affect the aftermarket as a whole, and about common, recurring themes appeared in a number of segments

First of all, the majority of respondent say they are changing strategy in 2005 Les attention will be paid to customer service and investments, and more to, well, getting paid. It's a time when sales are increasing and profits are diminishing and each sector is trying to find ways to focus forward growth and sustainable revenue. Could the softening U dollar be forcing this strategy shift?

For fiscal year 2004 merely 34 percent of manufacturers, 41 percent of retailers, 40 percent of warehouse distributors, 44 percent of jobbers, just from one side of to the other half of program groups, 34 percent of independent repair workshops and 39 percent of dealers reported an increase in profits. That means everyone otherwise held at 2003 levels or reported a decrease. Because of this, we'll be seeing price increases across the board. The majority in each part plans to increase pricing onward some level, with most reporting increases onward chemicals and hard parts. Not as many plan to hike the splendor of accessories but since more [i]or[/i] less groups, like WDs and jobbers, held prices at 2003 evens in 2004, you're likely to diocese bumps in this category too.

The World Wide Web plays a big character due to the majority of respondent in each assemblage reporting an increase in online sales, along with the expectation for more in the coming year. if it be not that that doesn't mean everyone has bought into it. More than half of the repair stores have yet to develop a website, although an overwhelming majority (91 percent) of dealerships have the same which may give consumers the impression that the dealer is further ahead onward the technology path. Jobbers are also behind, as 44 percent are still going without a site. It's time to gradation into the 21st century, as the Web will succor a dominant role in generating revenues

HELP WANTED

The line of qualified candidates has firmly gotten shorter. In fact, according to our consideration it seems as if the line may have vanished altogether because the aftermarket just can't assume to find good help. An alarming number of tribe from all categories, agreed that it is increasingly more difficult to find pious help than it was six month ago. Almost half of all repair stores (including dealerships) are currently in ne of a high-level drivability technician who can handle high-level diagnostics, and several are in ne of other technicians with varying of the same heights of experience. And while not everyone is actively recruiting, those who are use word of opening and employee recommendations. Maybe it's time to anticipate at other, more effective means.

When it be deriveds to training technicians and counterstaff, everyone is doing their share, including manufacturers, admitting that share may not be enough, as a report a week or les of training through year as average. Off-site and in-house training are habitual but Internet training is becoming a more as a common thing [i]or[/i] matter used method. The jury is still public on its effectiveness, however, as one people list disadvantages like self motivation. Retailers rank highest in bourns of counterstaff training: about 40 percent show one to two weeks and almost 20 percent proffer three weeks or more.

RETURNING THE RESPONSIBILITY