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August 18, 2020 12:46 PM

NPD: DIY projects boost auto aftermarket sales in 1st half

Tire Business Staff
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    PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. — Despite a drop in driving during the pandemic, automotive aftermarket industry sales increased during the first half of the year, according to NPD Group Inc.

    Vehicle miles driven declined 17% year-to-date through May and significantly steeper in April and May when many states enacted stay-at-home orders.

    But do-it-yourself (DIY) and discretionary categories tied to at-home car projects were the primary contributors to the automotive aftermarket's 4% dollar sales growth in the first six months of 2020, according to NPD research.

    Second-quarter sales increased 14% versus the year-ago period, NPD said.

    The fastest growing categories were paint (up 33%), body repair (up 27%) and light duty shop equipment (up 24%). Appearance accessories (up 19%) and chemicals (up 16%), including brushes, towels, polishing tools, waxes/polishes and vehicle wash, also ranked among the top growth categories.

    More of the core, as-needed aftermarket categories — many of which were among the top gainers at this point last year — fell at the lower end of the spectrum, including washer fluid ( down 15%), wipers (down 10%), lighting (down 6%) and motor oil (down 2%), NPD reported.

    "The DIY and discretionary categories have grown sales significantly during the COVID-19 period as consumers have undertaken at-home projects, from washing and detailing their everyday cars to taking the cover off a project vehicle in the garage," NPD said. "In addition, the coming of summer has also boded well for aftermarket products tied to boating, recreational vehicles, ATVs, and motorcycles, with products such as marine/ATV oil and motorcycle oil up 22% and 21%, respectively."

    "There are a number of nice tailwinds in the air for the aftermarket industry. Lower gas prices coupled with an anti-viral society limiting mass transportation and favoring road over air travel places greater reliance on car usage and health. In addition, consumers tend to watch how they spend their dollars during economic uncertainty and often do more DIY — a sales generator and relationship builder for the aftermarket," Nathan Shipley, NPD's automotive analyst, said.

    "And, today is as optimal a moment as ever for us as an industry to encourage education among younger generations, teach them about car care, and influence a new wave of DIY behavior for years to come."

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