April_2022 - 8

Purchasing and service trends
The Aftermarket Profile offers a glimpse at where your peers are
spending their money and what services they are offering.
By Amanda Silliker, Editor
ASilliker@EndeavorB2B.com
E
ach year, the Aftermarket
Profile is highly anticipated
among the PTEN readership.
A big thanks goes to all
of you who responded to the
survey and helped us determine
what tools you're buying, what
equipment you're investing in,
what services you offer at your
shop, and much more. You can
check out the complete survey
results on page 20, but I wanted
to highlight some of my favorite
findings for you here.
REPROGRAMMING
AND REFLASHING
Every year, the number of surveyed shops
offering reprogramming and reflashing
grows. This year, 35 percent of you said
it was a top service opportunity. If you
haven't already, you might want to consider
investing in a J2534 device so you
don't have to sublet the work out.
HYBRID/EV TRAINING
More than half (53 percent) of the survey
respondents said hybrid/electric vehicles is
the most needed area for training. Clearly
shops and techs are realizing this technology
will be rolling in to their shops (if it
hasn't already) and they are acknowledging
there is a skills gap. EVs can be quite dangerous
to work on or around, due to their
high-voltage systems, so please make sure
to source your training from a reputable
and thorough organization.
SMART TOOLS
Tools that require a smart device are
unsurprisingly popping up in more and
more shops. Whether it be a borescope,
videoscope, code decoder, etc. techs are
flocking to these types of tools. While just
50 percent used a tool requiring a smart
device in 2019, this year's survey found 60
percent have used such a tool just three
years later.
Specifically, we are seeing smart battery
chargers gaining considerable traction,
up from 52 percent last year to 60
percent this year.
MOBILE TOOL DEALERS
I love this stat: Mobile tool distributors are
the number 1 place you're buying tools and
equipment. It outranked online retailers,
auto parts stores, and brick-and-mortar
retail stores. I think this speaks to the
excellent customer service and strong
relationship many of you have with your
tool dealers. While I may be a bit biased
(I'm the editor of another magazine for
mobile tool dealers), I am very happy to
see so many technicians and shop owners
are supporting these hard-working men
and women who have a love for cars and
tools, just like you do.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Nearly 88 percent of you said YouTube
influences your tool purchases. Ok, time
for a shameless plug: Subscribe to the
PTEN YouTube channel for tool reviews
from Scott Brown and Chris Groff, New
Tool Innovations videos, booth visits
from the tradeshow floors (including
AAPEX), and much more. We also have
many partnerships with YouTube stars
(including ScannerDanner, Super Mario
Diagnostics, Automotive Test Solutions,
and WeberAuto) so keep an eye on your
PTEN e-newsletter for the latest videos
from these experts.
PTEN EDITORIAL
ADVISORY BOARD
TECHNICIANS
ERIC MOORE,
DeMary Trucks, Columbus, OH
LOU FORT,
K.A.R.S. Inc., Huntingburg, IN
SHOP OWNERS
KIM AUERNHEIMER,
Cool Springs Automotive, Brentwood, TN
TANNER BRANDT,
Autodiag Clinic, Welford, SC
PHIL FOURNIER,
Phil's Auto Clinic, Hemet, CA
JD GOAD,
Goad's Body Shop, Lexington, VA
EDWIN HAZZARD,
Southeast Mobile Tech, Goose Creek, SC
PETE RUDLOFF,
Pete's Garage Inc., Newark, DE
MICHELLE TANSEY,
Dubclinic, Santa Clara, CA
FACEBOOK
facebook.com/
ptenmagazine
LINKEDIN
linkedin.com/company/
professional-equipment-tool-news
INSTAGRAM
@ptenmagazine
YOUTUBE
PTEN (Professional Tool
& Equipment News)
EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS
JIM O'HARA,
Clore Automotive
8 PTEN APRIL 2022 www.VehicleServicePros.com
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April_2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of April_2022
