Do auto hard parts suppliers fall short on installers' needs?; new end-user survey answers this question and more.MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 29, 1996--A unique end-user survey conducted by automotive marketing consulting company Noun 1. consulting company - a firm of experts providing professional advice to an organization for a fee consulting firm business firm, firm, house - the members of a business organization that owns or operates one or more establishments; "he worked for a Frost & Sullivan shows that hard parts supplier may not be meeting auto installers' needs. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. "An analysis of the U.S. Automotive Hard Parts Market: The Installer's Perspective," hard parts installers rate quality as the most important factor affecting buying decisions, with price competitiveness rating much lower. This study is based on the responses of 306 installer service managers. The majority of participants work in independent garages, while the remainder segments into several categories, such as: specialty installers, gas stations, oil change/quick lube shops, independent tire stores, and others. The report points out that companies focusing on services like training clinics and favorable fa·vor·a·ble adj. 1. Advantageous; helpful: favorable winds. 2. Encouraging; propitious: a favorable diagnosis. 3. credit terms Credit Terms The conditions under which credit will be extended to a customer. The components of credit terms are: cash discount, credit period, net period. may be missing the boat on gaining loyalty from the installers since factors like availability and on-time delivery of parts are seen as much more important. "Suppliers may wish to economize e·con·o·mize v. e·con·o·mized, e·con·o·miz·ing, e·con·o·miz·es v.intr. 1. To practice economy, as by avoiding waste or reducing expenditures. 2. in those areas. Delivering the correct parts is more important and should actually save expense," says automotive analyst Jeanne Cardenas. This survey was conducted to provide aftermarket Aftermarket See: Secondary market. aftermarket See secondary market. hard parts suppliers with a better understanding of their installer customers. Some of the primary results are: analysis of installer's perceptions of supplier performance by supply type and vehicle systems, estimations of the propensity of installers to obtain parts from each supplier, and an understanding of which services offered by suppliers are considered critical competitive factors by installers of various vehicle systems. Perhaps the most unique feature of this report is its strategic recommendations. The first report of its kind by Frost & Sullivan, it should prove to be very valuable to suppliers looking to grow their business and maintain their competitive edge in today's competitive market. With this survey, we have gone directly to the end-users of specific products and determined their needs and expectations. Using the recommendations developed in this survey, suppliers can determine what really matters to installers. The information can also guide parts suppliers in allocation and/or redistribution re·dis·tri·bu·tion n. 1. The act or process of redistributing. 2. An economic theory or policy that advocates reducing inequalities in the distribution of wealth. of marketing resources to better satisfy their customers' demands while maintaining and growing their customer base. This report covers six specific automotive systems See ITS, embedded system, drive-by-wire, adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance system, autonomous vehicle, heads-up display, DSRC, lane departure system, CAN bus, FlexRay and SYNC. : cooling, brakes, exhaust, steering, suspension and engine & transmission. Frost & Sullivan is an international marketing consultancy who monitors the automotive industry The automotive industry is the industry involved in the design, development, manufacture, marketing, and sale of motor vehicles. In 2006, more than 69 million motor vehicles, including cars and commercial vehicles were produced worldwide. for the latest trends and market measurements. We have offices throughout the world and have capabilities to produce strategic industry and customer research. Free executive summaries of all Frost & Sullivan reports are available to the press. Visit our Web site: http://www.frost.com CONTACT: Frost & Sullivan Wendy Kehl (California) 415/961-9000, ext. 234 wkehl@frost.com Kristina Menzefricke (London) 44/171-730-3438 Nadege Keryhuel (Paris) 33/1-4742-9127 |
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