Despite the larger economic trends, the need for vehicle repairs and replacement continues to mount, according to Richard Shiozaki, senior vice president, DENSO Sales California, who adds that the company's aftermarket sales division posted gains of more than 20 percent last year.

New vehicle technologies open the doors for a new arsenal of parts and service, but aftermarket executives see a downside to these changes, like the parts proliferation that is sure to follow.

Tire dealers and repair shops using TireMaster business management software will have a means to access a comprehensive auto parts catalog, thanks to Activant's Integrated Service Estimator (ISE).

Fifteen years ago, Chinese automotive businesses were intensely interested in joint venture agreements with overseas companies. Not anymore.

Richard Roy, president and CEO of Uni-Select, Inc., encapsulates the company?s strategy as this: "We've always had a real focus on the independent distributors. This is our bread and butter."

We've all heard the adage that everything has its price. And for low-cost, low-quality aftermarket parts, the cost could be steep and devastating for the entire industry.

As the population of automotive dealerships drastically decreases, the aftermarket faces a new set of challenges and opportunities as a result.

At the annual California Nevada Arizona Automotive Wholesalers' Association (CAWA) dinner Sunday evening in Las Vegas, the group's achievements were highlighted by travel prizes and keynotes from industry leaders.

New vehicle technologies can be equal parts science and fiction, but in the category of safety systems, every new advancement exponentially increases the well being of drivers and passengers.