In its latest COVID-19: Aftermarket Update, DesRosiers Automotive Consultants (DAC) continues to explore the impact of the pandemic on the auto industry, which includes a decline in kilometres driven, by focusing on the independent aftermarket installer community.
DAC partnered with the Automotive Aftermarket Retailers of Ontario (AARO) to survey their members as to the impact of COVID-19 and their outlook for 2020.
The report found that nearly 60 per cent of respondents noted their stores were still open in April, with relatively few full closures. Nearly 40 per cent of respondents also indicated they were operating under reduced hours. A small percentage of aftermarket installers were closed.
In terms of the dollar value change in business for April, the largest segment of respondents reported a decrease of 26-50 per cent.
“Most job types observed moderate decreases with preventative maintenance and diagnostic work seeing the largest declines,” said DAC, in its update. “The most common future outlook among respondents noted an expected decrease in business of 1-25 per cent for 2020 overall.”
And nearly half of the respondents indicated they had problems with parts supply — an issue that DAC said stems from both jobbers and new car dealers.
The survey was distributed by AARO between May 11-15, and includes more than 100 independent aftermarket installers across Ontario.
