| Changing channels | |
| Brick-and-mortar retailers attracted two-thirds of consumer dollars spent in 2017 on automotive specialty equipment, a report says. New-vehicle dealerships captured about one-seventh of that market. | |
| Sales channel | market share |
|---|---|
| Auto parts chains — physical location | 16% |
| New-vehicle dealerships | 14% |
| Specialty retailer/installer — physical location | 11% |
| Specialty retailer/installer — online | 9% |
| Online-only general retailer | 8% |
| Tire shop — physical location | 7% |
| Auto parts chains — online | 7% |
| General retail chains — physical location | 6% |
| Direct from parts manufacturer — online | 5% |
| Online auction site | 4% |
| Direct from parts manufacturer — physical location | 3% |
| Car/truck show | 3% |
| Tire shop — online | 2% |
| General retail chains — online | 2% |
| Other — physical location | 2% |
| Other — online | 1% |
| Source: Specialty Equipment Market Association, 2018 Market Report | |
| Ol' reliable | ||
| Japanese automakers dominated the list of brands whose vehicles were least likely to need repairs related to check-engine lights in 2018, CarMD.com says. | ||
| 1. Toyota | 6. Subaru | |
|---|---|---|
| 2. Acura | 7. Buick | |
| 3. Hyundai | 8. Mercedes | |
| 4. Honda | 9. Lexus | |
| 5. Mitsubishi | 10. Nissan | |
| Source: 2018 CarMD Vehicle Health Index Make and Model Reliability Rankings | ||
| Thrifty mix | ||||
| These 10 vehicle brands had the lowest average cost of repairs (estimated parts and labor) related to check-engine light problems in 2018, according to CarMD.com. | ||||
| Brand | Average cost* | Brand | Average cost* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda | $286 | Jeep | $339 | |
| Kia | $320 | Chevrolet | $341 | |
| Dodge | $326 | Volkswagen | $358 | |
| Hyundai | $328 | Honda | $427 | |
| Chrysler | $329 | Toyota | $462 | |
| * Estimated parts and labor | ||||
| Source: 2018 CarMD Vehicle Health Index Make and Model Reliability Rankings | ||||
Pimp my pickup
- Wheels/rims/tires
- Custom grilles
- Grille guards
- Tow hooks
- Bumper systems
| Crash cash | |
| The U.S. collision repair industry generated $46.55 billion in receipts in 2017, a study concludes. How providers shared that market: | |
 |
Paint and body repair shops |
 |
Dealership-operated repair shops |
 |
Other |
 |
Auto glass repair shops |
| Source: Auto Care Association, 2019 Digital Factbook | |
