AAIA and BB&T Capital Markets have teamed up to provide a unique report available through AAIA. This report, AAIA/BB&T Weekly Automotive Aftermarket Intelligence Update, is published every Tuesday in AAIA SmartBrief. The report provides comprehensive and timely information and trends about the aftermarket and the relative performance of companies serving the industry, including manufacturers/suppliers; distributors; retailers; service and repair; and collision.

To view this week’s issue, click here.

January/February 2010 Aftermarket Insider: Branching Out with our Green Message

AAIA is pleased to present digital volume 62 of its award-winning magazine, Aftermarket Insider. This edition features details of the new AAIA green aftermarket initiative, photos and coverage of the spectacular 2009 AAPEX show and a Toolbox of co-worker quirks and advice for getting along with all of your colleagues. Members should receive their printed copy in the mail this week. Click here for the online edition.



1/7/2010


HDAW’10 Education Session Guide

“Achieving Success in a Changing Environment” is the theme for the 2010 Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW), scheduled for Monday, Jan. 18 through Thursday, Jan. 21 at The Mirage in Las Vegas, Nev. The HDAW’10 Education Program includes an HD Aftermarket Forum that provides an insightful economic forecast for the heavy-duty aftermarket industry; Business and Technical Theaters that will give attendees the tools they need to build business and profitability; and HDAW’10 Workshops to develop sales skill for service distributors related to critical shop related information.

Click here to view the final 2010 HDAW Education Session Guide. To register for HDAW, visit http://registration.experient-inc.com/ShowHDT101/Default.aspx. For more information, visit www.hdaw.org.

RSVP Today for ACC Teleconversation, "Discuss What Works (and Doesn't) When Marketing to the Heavy Duty Aftermarket"

The heavy duty industry is unique. What works in marketing and communications to the light vehicle aftermarket might not work in the trucking industry. Join the Automotive Communication Council (ACC) for its next industry teleconversation to discuss the tips and tricks when marketing to this lucrative industry. The call is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 14 at 2 p.m. (EDT). Participation in the call is FREE but does require registration. To participate, contact Beatrice Livioco at 240-333-1089, or e-mail beatrice.livioco@aftermarket.org by Wednesday, Jan. 13.

1/5/2010


BB&T Weekly Aftermarket Intelligence Update – Jan. 5

AAIA and BB&T Capital Markets have teamed up to provide a unique report available through AAIA. This report, AAIA/BB&T Weekly Automotive Aftermarket Intelligence Update, is published every Tuesday in AAIA SmartBrief. The report provides comprehensive and timely information and trends about the aftermarket and the relative performance of companies serving the industry, including manufacturers/suppliers; distributors; retailers; service and repair; and collision.

To view this week’s issue, click here.

AAIA Green Aftermarket Survey

AAIA needs our members’ help in telling an important and compelling story about the automotive aftermarket industry's recently inaugurated industry-wide "green initiative." This effort is intended to help us get credit for the work that our industry has undertaken for a long time – long before being "green" was cool. 

AAIA is in the process of collecting, measuring and quantifying the many ways that our industry is reducing its carbon footprint and practicing environmental responsibility every day. Then we will share this information with Wall Street, the media, Congress and consumers.

We are appealing to you to tell us what your company is doing to be "green." Whether it is recycling oil or rebuilding/remanufacturing parts and materials, or introducing new energy savings in packaging, transportation or facilities management, our industry does it all and more.

Click here to access the online survey questionnaire. If you are not the appropriate person to complete the questionnaire, forward this link to the right person, as the accuracy and validity of the information is extremely important to our industry. All company-specific information and data collected will be kept confidential.

Telematics Trendline – January 2010

Telematics Trendline, a series of articles by Derek Kaufman, C3 Network, Inc., is designed to inform AAIA members about the trends in telematics applications for both the retail automotive and commercial trucking industries. Each monthly article highlights products and services that are defining the growth of telematics, focusing on both the technology and the business plans of companies that are working to create this new market and interview the people who are making it happen. Author Derek Kaufman, president and founder, C3 Network, Inc., a consulting company that works with clients to increase their top line sales and launch new products, was integral in the creation of the 2008 AAIA Telematics Primer – The Aftermarket’s Role in the Telematics Future.

January’s article features:

• Solar Power 
• CES Rumors 
• Kindle’s Leadership 
• Audi’s Google Earth

Click here for the January 2010 issue of Telematics Trendline, or visit http://www.aftermarket.org/Publications/Telematics-Trendline.aspx.

January Event Preparation Tips from the Car Care Council

The Car Care Council provides shops with the know-how and educational materials needed to prepare for, and hold, Car Care Months events throughout the year. In order to prepare for National Car Care Month in April 2010, below are ways to participate in the "Be Car Care Aware" consumer education campaign.

• View the Car Care Council’s new Community Car Care Events video online. This 10-minute video helps businesses learn how to host their own consumer vehicle check-up event during National Car Care Month (NCCM) in April.
• Download the Car Care Months Event Planner. This free PDF planner can be downloaded online and has just about everything you need to participate in NCCM. It provides a step-by-step guide on how to set up and organize a vehicle check-up event.
• Decide the Size of the Event. Any event – small, medium or large – takes time to plan. Allow plenty of time to prepare. An in-house check-up lane is ideal if you want to participate in NCCM on a small scale. A medium-sized event is generally conducted by several businesses and takes place in a parking lot to allow ample space to have several check-up lanes. A large car care aware fair may take many months to organize and plan. These events are usually held in parking lots and involve several businesses and several check-up lanes. You may opt to secure sponsors to help defray the costs.
• Set a Date and Time for the Event. Technicians and volunteers are key to making your event a success. Consult with those who you plan to involve about their schedules, and determine a date based on when most are available. If there is a shortage of technicians available, consider bringing in students from your local automotive training facility. Most communities have an online “Calendar of Events” that should be checked for any potential conflicts or opportunities.

Click here to view January Tips online, or visit http://carcare.org/car-care-months/Tips for a month-to-month list of Event Preparation Tips.



12/29/09


BB&T Weekly Aftermarket Intelligence Update – Dec. 29

AAIA and BB&T Capital Markets have teamed up to provide a unique report available through AAIA. This report, AAIA/BB&T Weekly Automotive Aftermarket Intelligence Update, is published every Tuesday in AAIA SmartBrief. The report provides comprehensive and timely information and trends about the aftermarket and the relative performance of companies serving the industry, including manufacturers/suppliers; distributors; retailers; service and repair; and collision.

To view this week’s issue, click here.

December Industry Indicators Report

The Industry Indicators Report is a statistical compilation of key variables that are released by a variety of business and economic sources every month. AAIA’s market research department records this data, compares the new data to the same month of previous year, as well as to a given set of statistical parameters, and then identifies the impact to the business as favorable, unfavorable or indeterminate. This monthly report is designed to provide insight into some of the key indicators affecting the aftermarket industry and your business. The Industry Indicators Report is distributed monthly via e-mail to AAIA members.

Click here to view this month’s report, or visit http://aftermarket.org/Publications/TrackingTheTrends.aspx.



12/22/09


BB&T Weekly Aftermarket Intelligence Update – Dec. 22

AAIA and BB&T Capital Markets have teamed up to provide a unique report available through AAIA. This report, AAIA/BB&T Weekly Automotive Aftermarket Intelligence Update, is published every Tuesday in AAIA SmartBrief. The report provides comprehensive and timely information and trends about the aftermarket and the relative performance of companies serving the industry, including manufacturers/suppliers; distributors; retailers; service and repair; and collision.