 |
As a car enthusiast, I've always been screening, learning and analyzing the market and the industry. After experiences with car manufacturers, tier 1 suppliers and services in the auto industry, I have cultivated a strong interest into understanding this world from different perspectives. I'm pleased to have you at Polk's blog: reading and hopefully reacting to my remarks and thoughts. Sharing point of views and experiences has always been a good way to gain a deeper understanding of things. |
The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Keeps up with the Ever-Changing Automobile
Wednesday, November 11, 2009 by
Bertrand Rakoto
This has been a difficult year with many automotive industry challenges; consequently, marketing budgets have been cut significantly. I attended EquipAuto 2009 for the fifth time as a visitor, and the second time as an exhibitor. I must say that the show left me with a funny feeling.
Despite rumors of cancellation, the exhibition took place from the 13th to the 18th of October in the North of Paris. The limited number of exhibitors meant that the surface was reduced from six to two halls. I was even more surprised to discover that these two halls were not full. Last minute budget shortages left so many holes, it was like navigating your way through a piece of Swiss cheese. It really was unusual to have such a low turnout of exhibitors, yet the increased visibility worked to our advantage. The attendants could spend time on stands, discussing the technologies and the innovations.
The event included the traditional tooling, servicing and hardware exhibitors showing usual products supported by new sales concepts -- those mainly acting in the independent aftermarket. I've noticed the growing importance of computers in the traditional parts & service industry. The image of the greasy mechanic dressed in blue is quickly being replaced by a clean consultant, checking databases and launching programs to give you the expected answers and service for your car.
I noticed something else different – it seems the first steps are being taken to follow the path required by the many new regulations for environmentally-friendly cars. After years of heavy cars and big engines, we are living through a major change to more efficient, lighter, and safer cars. And to support that, parts and service suppliers brought new things to the table -- new technologies that go along with drastic reductions of carbon emissions. I’m talking about the growing number of dry cleaning solutions, the LED suppliers, the catalytic converters fabricants, etc. Innovations are following the evolution of cars. The more than necessary reaction and adaptation to change within the industry is finally here. It is costly, but the adaptation to the upcoming cars is necessary, especially since the scrappage premiums and the CO2 regulations in Europe are accelerating the phenomenon. Although, the crisis been difficult on the industry, the creativity and innovation remain!
Posted by Bertrand Rakoto, Analyst for Marketing and Consulting, Polk (11.11.2009)
Powered by Compendium Blogware