Nov. 14, 2017—The Auto Care Association released its 2018 State of Auto Care report, a comprehensive resource of the industry’s key facts, most pressing issues and how the association is addressing them.
The report includes sections on:
- Advocacy: advancement of the interests of the auto care industry and protections of the industry’s right to conduct business before state and federal legislators and regulators;
- Technology: developments of technology standards and best practices that can be used to leverage economies of scale, including the newly-branded Vehicle Information Portal (VIP);
- Telematics: developments of vehicle technology and the newest privacy challenges being presented to both aftermarket industry businesses and their consumers;
- Market intelligence: the most up-to-date and relevant industry research, including current industry trend evaluations and exclusive industry data and analysis resources;
- International: identification and promotion of international business opportunities through the support of international regulations and treaties that assist the industry’s efforts to reach customers worldwide;
- Professional development: opportunities spanning education, careers and awards enabling members to keep pace with the fast-paced auto care industry;
- Events: dynamic opportunities throughout the upcoming year for all communities of membership and the auto care industry to make connections, do business and get informed;
- Communications: continued expansion of the way the association communicates with key audiences in response to the changing digital landscape to increase in the awareness, profile and influence of the industry via popular media channels;
Interesting findings from the report include:
- In 2017, the ACA found that there were 879,000 technicians in the workforce.
- Two-thirds of people will drive their vehicle until the day it quits.
- Nearly 40 percent of drivers performed scheduled maintenance last year.
- 70 percent of vehicle owners choose independent shops over dealers to get their vehicles serviced and repaired.
