1. AUTOMOTIVE
The NPD Group’s Aftermarket Consumer Outlook Study
A Look into 2012
Use the eye dropper to capture type set
What can the aftermarket expect from consumers in 2012? The NPD Group’s 2012 Among consumers planning on
buying a new or used car
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Aftermarket Consumer Outlook Study provides a first glimpse into consumer
Use the eye dropper to capture type set Will Purchase a More Fuel Efficient
attitudes and anticipates behaviorsFont for legend
for aftermarket spending in the coming Vehicle in the Coming36%
Year
26%
year. Here are a few highlights about what we expect to see in 2012 based on
Font for legend 36%
Font for legend
Font for chart values 36%
the study results. 26%
26%
Font for chart values
Font for chart values
Font for x-axis of chart 2010 2011
New Vehicle Purchase
New car purchase intentions Font for x-axis of chart year’s. Consumers remain
are similar to chart last
Font for x-axis title
2010 2011
Font for of 2010 2011
primarily focused on maintaining and repairing their existing vehicles. This trend
Font Fontpost-recession era, and it will continue
Fontfor title
Source: The NPD Group/
has benefited the aftermarket in for title —title
the for subhead Consumer Outlook Survey 2012
to do so. Among those whoFontfor title — or used cars this year, 36 percent
will buy new subhead
Font for title —subhead
say they will be more fuel-efficient than their current vehicles. This is up 10 20% Planning to Spend More
percentage points versus last year, thanks to higher fuel prices. 20%
20%
10%9%
Driving Patterns 7%
10%9% 6%
Through July 2011, the Department of Transportation shows miles driven 10%9% 4% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3%
7%
7% 6%
declined 1.2 percent for the year. The two main factors influencing this trend, 6% 4%
4% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3%
3% 3% 3% 3% 3%
Gasoline
MotorOil Oil
Tires Tires
Repairs
Parts Parts
Additives
Wash/Wax
Accessories
Antifreeze
Wheels
Air Fresheners
high gasoline prices and high unemployment, likely will continue to suppress
MotorMotor
Gasoline
Oil
Tires
Repairs
Parts
Additives
Wash/Wax
Accessories
Antifreeze
Wheels
Air Fresheners
miles driven. In the Consumer Outlook Survey, 39 percent said they are driving
Gasoline
Repairs
Additives
Wash/Wax
Accessories
Antifreeze
Wheels
Air Fresheners
less than they were a year ago. This is a significant increase from 2011, but it is
not yet back to 2008 levels. It is important to note that miles driven never fully
recovered from those 2008 declines.
Source: The NPD Group/
Consumer Outlook Survey 2012
Repair Spending Expectations
After deferring spending in 2008 and early 2009, consumers have spent heavily I Purchase the the product that has
on repairing aging vehicles over the past two years. This year, the survey shows the highest quality and lasts longest,
even if it costs a little more
a significant increase in the percentage who do not plan to spend on repairs in
the coming year (58 percent). While still below the 2008 level of 60 percent, this 40%
31%
number raises the possibility that consumers may slip back into a deferral mindset. 40%
40% 23% 19% 18%
31%
23% 19%
DIFM Channel Shift 18%
Consumers who anticipate making repairs in the coming year are likely to
Parts Parts
Maintenance
Products
Appearance
and Accessories
Additives
Gasoline
present a growth opportunity for independent repair shops and tire stores.
Maintenance
and Accessories
Products
Appearance
Additives
Gasoline
These outlet types have seen increases in the percentage of consumers who
say they will rely on them for vehicle service, while car dealers have seen
percentages drop. Source: The NPD Group/
Consumer Outlook Survey 2012
npd.com

2. AUTOMOTIVE
OFFICE SUPPLIES
Oil Change Interval Continues to Lengthen About The NPD Group, Inc.
Consumers are tracking their mileage or months between oil changes by window The NPD Group is the leading provider of
stickers (57 percent), car service vehicle indicator lights (10 percent), or on their reliable and comprehensive consumer
own (31 percent). Regardless of method, the average interval between oil and retail information for a wide range
changes keeps increasing gradually. In the Consumer Outlook Survey, consumers of industries. Today, more than 1,800
reported changing their oil on average every 4,058 miles or 5.1 months. manufacturers, retailers, and service
companies rely on NPD to help them
Spending Intentions for Key Categories
Consumers today are more certain about spending for 2012, whether drive critical business decisions at the
indicating they would spend more or less next year than they did this year. global, national, and local market levels.
This decisiveness stems from greater awareness of spending more on needed NPD helps our clients to identify new
parts, maintenance, and repair and greater determination to spend less on business opportunities and guide product
discretionary items. development, marketing, sales, merchan-
dising, and other functions. Information
Attribute Importance
is available for the following industry
Today’s consumer is looking for value in a difficult economy, but value is not
sectors: automotive, beauty, entertain-
being determined solely by low price. Quality was the only attribute measured in
ment, fashion, food, home and office,
the survey that saw an increase in importance. Forty-five percent of consumers
said a product “made with quality materials” was very important — a four sports, technology, wireless,
percent increase since 2009. It is not surprising then that more consumers toys, and video games. For more
indicated that in many key categories, they’d be willing to pay more for a information, visit npd.com.
quality product that lasts longer.
Industry Expertise
The NPD Group is the premium provider of consumer and retail information
for the North American automotive aftermarket, petroleum marketing, and
convenience retailing industries. NPD expertise and data provide industry leaders
with essential market information to assist in making more effective business
decisions. NPD is uniquely qualified to help marketers apply information to
address key marketplace issues from multiple perspectives, based on more than
20 years of experience in these industries.
NPD’s diverse portfolio of services includes consumer panel tracking and
national and Store Level retail point-of-sale (POS) tracking. Specifically, NPD
information supports benchmarking, competitive analysis, assortment and
product planning, and identification of new channel opportunities.
Learn more.
For more information about The NPD Group’s products and services for the automotive
aftermarket industry, please contact your NPD account representative, call
Charles Camaroto at 866-444-1411, or email contactnpd@npd.com.
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