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Every year, PTEN surveys its readership of automotive technicians and shop owners to find out how they plan to spend their money the following year. We also ask about what types of vehicles they are working on, what services they are offerings, what their annual shop revenue is, and much more. The results of that survey make up the Aftermarket Profile. There are so many useful nuggets of information in there for mobile tool dealers, but I thought I would mention just a few of my favorites here.
J2534 devices
Every year, the number of surveyed shops offering reprogramming and reflashing grows. This year, 35 percent said it was a top service opportunity for them. This is the sweet spot for mobile tool dealers. It’s just the right time to make a sale for a J2534 device because not every shop has one already and the service is clearly growing in popularity among shops.
Quality is number 1
The top consideration techs have when buying a new tool is quality, with 89 percent saying this is a factor they consider when buying a tool, followed by price at 68 percent. This is a big win for mobile tool dealers. The products on your truck are higher quality than many of the overseas options available from online retailers. I know you are already showcasing the importance of quality, but it’s nice to know that it still ranks above price when tool purchases are being considered.
Get on YouTube
Nearly 8 in 10 (78 percent) of survey respondents said YouTube influences their tool and equipment purchases. One-third said Facebook and 11 percent said Instagram. Now might be a good time to consider starting a YouTube channel. Your line of work is already very visual and there are tons of guys and gals out there who want to see videos of you demo’ing a new tool, unboxing it, or just showing us around your truck.
Tout American made
It’s no surprise that interest in American made products is growing, given the supply chain issues we have been facing over the past couple of years. In this year’s survey, 58 percent said they always of often consider whether a product was Made in the U.S.A. If you have certain products that sell well for you that are made here at home, print off a “Made in America” graphic and stick them around your truck for easy spotting.
About the Author
Amanda Silliker
Amanda Silliker is the former editorial director of the Vehicle Repair Group at Endeavor Business Media. She oversaw five brands — Motor Age, PTEN, Professional Distributor, ABRN, and Aftermarket Business World. Prior to her tenure with Endeavor, she had over a decade in B2B publishing at Thomson Reuters, ranging from writing and editing content for print and web to managing awards programs and speaking at conferences and industry events. Connect with her on LinkedIn.