Directions: Internet Parts Ordering Is on the Rise

Directions: Internet Parts Ordering Is on the Rise

Over the last few years, we’ve seen a resurgence in the business side of the Internet, making it a valuable business tool in the automotive repair shop. Looking back from the late 1990s through 2001, shops were flooded by Internet sites promising to “revolutionize the aftermarket” and the way independent repair shops do business. Help shops? Yes. Revolutionize? Doubtful.

Ask most techs and they’ll tell you the Internet in the past decade has been pretty much a useful tool for seeking specific repair information or chatting through e-mail with fellow technicians on a hard-to-diagnose repair. However, on the business side, many shop owners were either scared off from the web following the big Internet bubble burst in 2001 or weren’t technically savvy enough to muddle through the web waters, thereby dismissing the Internet for its business potential and online buying possibilities.

But that is changing. Last summer, the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) said about 73% of repair shops they surveyed expected their level of online parts purchasing to increase in 2005 over 2004’s numbers.

Babcox Research, the marketing and research arm for the parent company of Underhood Service, recently conducted a survey on Internet usage in the automotive industry. The results of the study not only help us create better features and articles to help you, our readers, but also give us a look into how our industry compares to other markets.

Looking at that data, we’ve found that 68% of repair shop owners who log on to the web use the Internet to locate parts and equipment. Nearly 50% of the respondents who have Internet access said that they use the Internet to conduct research on tools and equipment, and 40% said they research parts suppliers and manufacturers online.

What’s even more surprising is that when it comes to ordering parts and tools, 58% of the shops that use the Internet said they actively buy online, and 42% of these shops say they order over the Internet from their main supplier.

So why are shops starting to flock online to buy parts? There are a number of reasons to what I attribute the growth. One reason is that there are more shop owners and technicians today using the Internet, not only in the work environment, but in their personal lives as well. As techs and shop owners become more familiar with using the Internet for hobbies, travel and other general interests, this spills over into their business life. These techs may have used the Internet to buy personal items from various online auction sites, and now are finding that buying hard-to-locate parts for work (including restoration projects) can be done with the same ease.

Other reasons for the growth in Internet aftermarket parts ordering can be attributed to improved security for credit card purchases, as well as computer software to reduce or eliminate those annoying pop-ups.

Also, faster Internet connections and more powerful computers are making their way into repair shops. Where as dial-up connectors were the norm just five years ago, high-speed DSL lines are now used by nearly 50% of the shop owners/techs who responded to our survey. Dial-up modem usage has dropped to 28% of our respondents.

Finally, aftermarket suppliers are also returning to the mix, making the ordering process smoother. These days, many parts and tool distributors see the Internet as an important tool that gives value to every level of their distribution channel. As more suppliers and distributors add their cataloging online, the more we will see shop owners and techs taking advantage of the online ordering approach.

You May Also Like

BorgWarner Announces Plan to Reduce Supply Chain Emissions

A partnership with Manufacture 2030 will support BorgWarner in reaching its Scope 3 emissions reduction goal.

BorgWarner announced it entered into a strategic partnership with Manufacture 2030, a decarbonization software provider, to effectively measure and reduce its supply chain carbon footprint and support its goal of reducing absolute Scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 25% by 2030.

Through the agreement, BorgWarner will leverage M2030's extensive expertise in CO2 reduction and unique software to encourage its direct material suppliers to increase their emissions reduction efforts. M2030 will work directly with BorgWarner's supply base to gather energy usage data related to the manufacturing of products such as electricity, natural gas and more. That data will then be fed into an interactive dashboard where emissions and energy reduction efforts can be tracked. The tool also provides best practice sharing opportunities for pursuing emissions reduction. By utilizing the tool, BorgWarner said it will promote collaboration, accountability and engagement across its supply base on emissions reduction.

Mevotech Releases 237 New Chassis, Control Arm, Wheel End Parts

The release boosts coverage for domestic and import passenger vehicles, pickup trucks, SUVs and EVs up to model year 2023.

MEMA Celebrates 120th Anniversary

MEMA said the milestone “underscores the association’s enduring legacy and its pivotal role in advancing the future of mobility and the interests of vehicle suppliers.”

UniClutch Launches Clutch System in the United States

From Australian manufacturer Clutch Industries, UniClutch is a clutch system that delivers uncompromised performance.

MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers Becomes UAF Gold Lifetime Trustee

The partnership with UAF is a commitment to the future of the automotive aftermarket, MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers said.

Other Posts

Adapting To Enduring Expectations 

Where we once provided business and technical information in a monthly print magazine, we now have daily newsletters and on-call websites to help spread the message of quality service.

Castrol Turns 125, Debuts New Market Strategy

As part of the new strategy, Castrol will explore opportunities in battery thermal management, digital and service solutions and data center immersion cooling.

FCS Introduces 18 New Numbers in February

The new release includes 4 shock absorbers and 14 suspension struts.

Philips Releases GoPure Advanced Automotive Air Purifier

It filters out 99% of bacteria and respiratory viruses and fits in the cupholder.