The light vehicle automotive aftermarket industry is expected to grow over the next several years, with the largest increase predicted for 2007, according to new research from the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association, Research Triangle Park, N.C. A detailed analysis of the size of the aftermarket is included in the 2007-2008 AASA Automotive Aftermarket Status Report, according to AASA. The value of the light vehicle aftermarket (parts and labor) will break the $200 billion mark within the next few years, AASA said. The light vehicle aftermarket reached $185.2 billion in 2006, a 2.9% increase over 2005. AASA estimated the light vehicle aftermarket will finish 2007 at nearly $193 billion, an increase of 4%. Vehicles more than 10 years old continued to comprise the largest share of dollars spent, reaching approximately $80.8 billion in 2006, AASA said. This category, along with the 6- to 10-year-old vehicle group, is expected to continue to expand at a stable pace, while new to 5-year-old vehicles are projected to reach a peak in 2007 before declining to just short of $45 billion in 2010, AASA said. L&MT
