AASA President to Discuss the State of the Automotive Aftermarket during NACE / CARS

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Bill Long, president and chief operating officer of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), will address “The State of the Aftermarket” as the opening speaker at the Service Repair Leadership Forum (SRLF), presented by the Automotive Service Association (ASA) on Friday, July 24, as part of the NACE / CARS Expo & Conference in Detroit.

“The automotive aftermarket is a large and stable industry, but we can’t be complacent. There are lots of reasons to be positive about the aftermarket, but there are a wide range of possibilities that could shape our future,” Long commented about his upcoming presentation. “Suppliers must have a first-hand understanding of shops and technician needs, and I am pleased to have this opportunity to discuss our industry’s challenges and opportunities with the leading service professionals who will attend SRLF at the NACE / CARS Expo.”

Long noted that among the reasons to be positive is that the U.S. aftermarket represents a $238 billion opportunity. “There is still pent-up demand for vehicle maintenance and repairs – the 2015 ‘AASA Automotive Aftermarket Status Report’ estimates unperformed maintenance at more than $66 billion,” he said. “The emergence of advanced vehicle technology will bring new opportunities for those who are ready and positioned to capitalize on industry changes”. 

The ASA Service Repair Leadership Forum is slated for 7:30 a.m. until noon on July 24 at the Cobo Center, Detroit. It is a forum comprised of the leadership from all industry segments in the automotive service repair industry, and provides industry partners an opportunity to discuss issues, share knowledge, network with decision makers and gain insight into the future. For more information, visit carsevent.com.

About ASA

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA serves an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from both the mechanical and collision repair segments of the automotive service industry. For additional information about ASA, visitwww.ASAshop.org.

About AASA

AASA (www.aftermarketsuppliers.org) exclusively serves manufacturers of aftermarket components, tools and equipment, and related products which support 710,000 employees in the United States. AASA is a recognized industry change agent – promoting a collaborative industry environment, providing a forum to address issues and serving as a valued resource for members. AASA is the light vehicle aftermarket division of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). “AASA, The Voice for the Automotive Aftermarket Supplier Industry”