AUTOMOTIVE
THE EUROPEAN AFTERMARKET
KLARIUS
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR
THE AUTOMOTIVE AFTERMARKET?
Klarius is continuously expanding its UK manufactured high-quality product range, and now counts over 10,000 items in its range.
The automotive aftermarket is undergoing
major changes in Europe and worldwide
due to market maturity, evolving customer
preferences and expectations, advances in
engineering and logistics technology.
Doug Bentley, Research & Development
Manager at Klarius Products Ltd, looks at
the future challenges for the European
automotive aftermarket and how to
address them.
Consumers are becoming increasingly
aware of the importance of scheduled
servicing and preventive maintenance.
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PECM Issue 35
in order to increase the service life of
their vehicles. In fact, the average car age
keeps increasing in Europe, and reached
approximately 11 years in 20151.
This situation is favourable to some
innovative aftermarket parts and
services providers and they have been
experiencing increases in revenue and
profitability. However, a number of trends
are continuing to push the automotive
aftermarket and servicing sector to reshape
its current practices, adopt new business
models and provide better B2B and B2C
services.
A major trend influencing the
aftermarket industry is market growth
and consolidation. The aftermarket in
Europe remains one of the biggest global
markets when it comes to value, with
over €190 billion [£160 billion] in sales
in 20152. However, it is a mature market
characterised by consistent volumes and
low growth rates. Therefore, mergers,
acquisitions and collaborations among
part distributors and buying groups
are expected to continue and further
consolidate the business as they extend
their footprint.