Las Vegas--Aftermarket parts manufacturers are learning to pay more attention to the needs of those who throw away their box. As vehicle technology advances, so does the need for service dealers to obtain repair information and tools that help them tackle once routine repairs. The franchise dealership's role continues to increase, gobbling up a slice of the traditional aftermarket pie.
This topic was covered in seminars and, more importantly, conversation that carried over into the hallways during the Automotive Aftermarket Product Expo (AAPEX) at the Sands Expo Center on Oct. 31-Nov. 1.
Left with no option, many independent service dealers are forced to seek out dealerships for repair information and application-specific parts that they know fit, perform, and function properly the first time. The interrelation between part nodes and sensors make their function vital to the vehicle's computer system; one weak link could cause a failure.
A seminar that shed light on that issue was "Selling Parts for Imports: Did You Ever Consider Listening to Your Customer? The Installer's View."
"For some parts, I go to the OEM because the aftermarket parts don't perform," said Jim Bastone, owner of Bastone Auto Service in Pittsburgh. The problem is more pervasive for electronic components, he said. For example, with ignition wires on Honda applications, he said they only use the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) part.
"Technicians are very peculiar," said Mitch Schneider, owner of Schneider's Automotive Service in Simi Valley, Calif. "The minute they have a problem with anything, they won't use it again. They have a very long memory. It's not logical to do it a second time with the same brand." However, he did point out that Bosch, NGK, and Denso cover nearly 99 percent of original equipment (OE) applications for oxygen sensors, in which case he said he prefers those brands.
"We want to take anything out of the repair process that could fail," Bastone said.
When a defective part is discovered, it can be an arduous task to run the information back up the channel to parts manufacturers, Schneider pointed out.
"Sometimes they just don't listen," he said. "They may not want to pull the product, but we won't install it again." That may sound like whining to the parts manufacturer, he said, adding that perhaps a standardized method for gathering the information would make information-sharing easier.
"You've got to have a tech sophisticated enough to make a determination that the part is not performing the way it's supposed to," Schneider said. "We test it in the only laboratory that makes a difference--on the car. Some, however, will diagnose a vehicle with a part. You as a supplier have to make a determination if you want to do business with them.
"I don't get involved in lengthy engineering discussions," he said. "Either it works or it doesn't."
Although most independent shop owners say they would rather buy aftermarket parts because of industry support, many continue to patronize wholesaling dealerships.
Bastone said that more than 25 percent of the parts he purchases are OE, which may be slightly higher than others because he specializes in imports.
"There are more opportunities being lost to the aftermarket than in the past," he said. "OEs are being very aggressive and are offering hotshot delivery."
Aside from thousands of traditional parts vendors and equipment providers, AAPEX showcased a Green Zone, a display area in the Venitian Ball Room that featured vendors with products to help make repair shops more environmentally friendly. One such exhibitor, FDP Friction Science, showed its EcoStop ceramic brake pad, manufactured with no antimony, asbestos, copper, lead or potassium titanate, company Representative Lisa Delaney said.