Auto Care Insider Volume 109 - 21

The U.S. continues to receive little help from the global
economy as China and others grew at a slower pace than
predicted pace in 2017 and is providing less than expected
market growth for U.S. exports.
consumer spending and after-tax wage
growth for the middle class upon the
passage of tax reform legislation. Finally,
investment in business infrastructure,
equipment and intellectual property
is still declining in so far in 2017 and
would be assisted by tax reform and an
infrastructure focused 2018 budget.
	 The monthly Auto Care Association
Industry Indicators Report (IIR) gathers
and reports key automotive aftermarket
data, dividing it into the following
three categories: automotive retail,
automotive parts manufacturing and
heavy duty aftermarket. The purpose
of this monthly overview is to provide a
quick synopsis of the U.S. and global

economy while focusing on data in
the Industry Indicators Report and
applying it for thoughtful discussion
and decision-making. One of the
most important indicators for the
economy in general and the robustness
of the automotive aftermarket is
actual miles driven, which increased
from July 2017 to August 2017.
	 Gasoline and oil prices moved
downward in November to $2.43 a
gallon from the October average of
roughly $2.61 a gallon and remain
more than a dollar below the levels
they were at during the same time in
2015. U.S. oil prices started the year at
roughly $46 a barrel and we continue

Industry Indicators Assessment Summaries (as of 11/17)
AUTO RETAIL REPORT

July

Aug

Sept

Oct

Favorable condition for auto care industry =



10

10

13

9

Indeterminate trend - should monitor =



4

6

4

2

Unfavorable condition for auto care industry =



9

7

6

5

Data not available =

na

0

0

0

7

Favorable condition for auto care industry =



11

9

14

8

AUTO PARTS MANUFACTURING REPORT
Indeterminate trend - should monitor =



5

7

4

3

Unfavorable condition for auto care industry =



7

7

5

6

Data not available =

na

0

0

0

6

Favorable condition for auto care industry =



13

12

15

13

HEAVY DUTY AFTERMARKET REPORT
Indeterminate trend - should monitor =



2

2

3

1

Unfavorable condition for auto care industry =



7

8

4

6

Data not available =

na

0

0

0

2

to believe they could very well end
the year averaging less than $50 a
barrel based on current global trends
and their price at roughly $55 a barrel
at the end of October. U.S. gasoline
prices averaged $3.36 a gallon in
2014; averaged $2.50 a gallon in 2015,
averaged $2.23 for 2016 and is currently
priced at a 2017 yearly average of $2.50
in November. With gasoline prices
averaging less than $2.50 a gallon the
last few months, we expect stable to
slightly higher gasoline prices by year
end based on the projected growth in
the worldwide supply of oil relative to
demand and a stabilizing EU, and a
less than robust Chinese and Japan.

Dr. Nash is senior vice president and
director of the McNair Center for
the Advancement of Free Enterprise
and Entrepreneurship at Northwood
University. This report was prepared with
the assistance of Northwood University
Aftermarket senior, Matt Fusco. For
more information about Northwood
University and their Aftermarket
Program or Automotive MBA program,
visit www.northwood.edu or email Tim
Nash at tgnash@northwood.edu.

The Industry Indicators Report is an Auto Care
Association member-only benefit. Research is posted
in the Knowledge Center on the Auto Care Association
website at www.autocare.org and is accessible through
Auto Care Association username and password.
For assistance, contact the Auto Care Association
membership department at 301-654-6664.

Nov. 2017 is the latest data available via government resources. The Auto Care Association updates this information on our website as soon as new information becomes available.

www.autocare.org 

21
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Auto Care Insider Volume 109
