Auto Care Insider Volume 92 - (Page 13)

INTERNATIONAL FOCUS WHY IT'S TIME TO LOOK SOUTH FOR GROWTH More Markets, More Sales Most companies understand that expanding to more markets will improve their bottom line. But many don't know where to start beyond looking at the countries that we share borders with (58 percent of U.S. companies export to only one market, usually Canada or Mexico). While the typical business that sells to just one market generates roughly $375,000 in export sales, companies with two to four export markets have average export sales of $1 million; and those who export to five to nine markets average $3 million in export sales. Auto Care Association members looking for new growth opportunities should look closely at Latin America. Trade Partners Galore More than half of all America's Free Trade Agreement (FTA) partners are in Latin America. These 11 economies - Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and Peru - have a rapidly-growing base of middle-class consumers and diversifying industries. The United States' FTA partners in Latin America offer a unique combination of similar language and business cultures, in addition to low or zero tariff rates on automotive products. Take the Easy First Step - Participate in a Trade Mission Interested but not sure how to start? Trade missions offer a proven, costeffective tool for "new-to-export" or "new-to-market" companies to learn first-hand about target export markets. Trade mission members travel together as a delegation, attend market briefings, participate in site visits and networking receptions, and have one-on-one business matchmaking appointments with pre-screened potential buyers, agents, distributors and joint venture partners. Two upcoming trade missions organized by the U.S. Department of Commerce offer an excellent opportunity to explore these growing markets. April 26-30, 2015 Automotive Trade Mission to Lima, Peru and Bogota, Colombia For more information visit www.export.gov/trademissions/ or contact Monica Toporkiewicz at Monica.Toporkiewicz@trade.gov. June 21-26, 2015 Trade Mission to Central America For more information visit www.export. gov/trademissions/ or contact Jessica Gordon at Jessica.Gordon@trade.gov. Application deadline is March 20, 2015. For more information about the Auto Care Association's international program, visit www.autocare.org/international. Trade missions offer a proven, cost-effective tool for "new-to-export" or "new-to-market" companies to learn first-hand about target export markets. AUTO CARE INSIDER | VOL. 92 13 http://www.export.gov/trademissions/ http://www.export http://www.autocare.org/international

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Auto Care Insider Volume 92

President's Message
Association News-YANG Connect
Association News-www.autocarecaeers.org
Market Intelligence: e-tailing infographic
Inside Technology-social influencer program
Member Profile-Kathleen George
International Focus-looking at Latin America
Toolbox-professional headshots
Government Affairs-advocacy leadership team
Impact Awards-Brandi Gardner
Head of the Class-Olympus Imported Auto Parts Corp.
Market Intelligence-checking in with China
An Industry Treasure-Be Car Care Aware

Auto Care Insider Volume 92