In a recent survey conducted by IMR, technicians were asked the following two questions: Generally speaking, what percentage of the parts you use are premium line parts? What percent of the parts you use are second line parts?
There was almost no change in the percentage of Premium Line Parts used in April as compared to March of 2009, with IMR data showing 68.46 percent Premium Line Parts used in April, compared to 68.44 percent in March. The percentage of Second Line Parts however, has continued to rise for the past three months -- growing from 32 percent in February to 34.74 in March and again up to 35.31 in April.
Comparing year to year, we again see almost no change in the usage of premium line parts, reported at 68.93 in April 2008, compared to 68.46 in April 2009. Year to year, the use of second line parts dropped only about 1.5 percentage points -- from 36.89 in April 2008 to 35.31 in April 2009.
Editor’s Note: The graph above reflects combined responses to the two questions and therefore does not equal 100 percent.
For more information on IMR and its research capabilities, visit IMR at www.AutomotiveResearch.com or call Bill Thompson at 800-654-1079.
About the Author
Amy Antenora
Editor, aftermarketNews
aantenora@babcox.com
With more than a decade of experience in the communications field, Amy has been Editor of aftermarketNews since 2002. Prior to joining Babcox Publications, Amy worked as a general assignment reporter for the West Akron Sun, as a freelance Arts & Entertainment writer for AmericaOnline and also worked in PR for two state Universities.
