Rhino Linings Corporation has said it continues to see expansion in the number of automobile dealerships adopting its sprayed-on truck bed liners as part of their aftermarket service operations.
Last year, auto dealerships accounted for 20 per cent of the new Rhino Linings applicators — double those in 2012 . Additionally, three new dealerships have already achieved top 30 ranking among Rhino Linings applicators in North America.
Auto dealers have experienced extreme change during the past several years due to the economic downturn. When vehicle sales hit an all-time low in 2008, dealerships began to bring aftermarket services in-house as an additional source of revenue.
According to the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), overall aftermarket sales totaled $307.7 billion in 2012, representing a 3.5 per cent increase over 2011. Sales in the automotive aftermarket (cars and light trucks) totaled $231.2 billion, while sales in the medium and heavy duty vehicle aftermarket totaled $76.5 billion.
“We continue to see a steady increase in the number of new Rhino Linings applicators who are also automobile dealers,” said Pierre Gagnon, president and CEO of Rhino Linings Corporation.
“We’ve observed that dealerships which treat Rhino Linings as a separate business, dedicate resources to it and advertise their association with Rhino Linings, have the most success,” Gagnon said.
Rhino Linings Corporation is exhibiting at the North American Auto Dealers Association Show, Jan. 25-27 in New Orleans, La. To find out more visit: www.rhinolinings.com/join
