More Automotive Technicians Are Prepared to Work on Hybrid Vehicles Than Electric Vehicles

In this Frost & Sullivan survey of 401 automotive technicians, respondents reveal their brand and purchase channel preferences, the factors affecting their brand and channel choices, and their purchasing and spending habits. Respondents are full-time automotive technicians, primarily employed in independent garages/repair shops, franchised garages/repair shops, and automotive dealerships. Five product categories are investigated in depth: hand tools, hand-held scan devices, power tools, tool storage devices, and pneumatic/air tools. The growing presence of hybrid, electric, and other alternative fuel vehicles in the automotive service market is briefly considered. Executive Summary Since 2008, Frost & Sullivan has been tracking the U.S. automotive tools market through the perceptions of automotive technicians. Consistently, hand tools have been the most utilized automotive tools, but this year pneumatic/air tools are used by all surveyed automotive technicians on a regular basis. Other automotive tools surveyed are also highly utilized, but power tools are now used least often (yet, still used by percent of automotive technicians).Purchase ExpectationsOverall, the expectation is that automotive technicians are planning to reduce purchases and spend less on automotive tools this year compared to last year. This could be due to a general hesitancy to purchase products and services—a growing attitude rampant in many other industries and throughout the globe due to economic uncertainties. However, in cases for which automotive tools will be purchased, replacement or the need for a specialized tool are typical top reasons.Ownership ShareSnap-on continues to be the top owned brand among all automotive tool product categories surveyed; typically, with no other brand threats are on the horizon. However, within the pneumatic and power tools market, shifts are occurring, as Ingersoll Rand and DeWalt (respectively) are nearing ownership shares within the range of Snap-on. Channel Distribution Automotive technicians generally purchase their automotive tools through brand distributors. This is not surprising as so many Snap-on tools are purchased/owned (brand distributors being their direct channel to customers). However, more power tools are being purchased via mass merchants/department stores, and this is not just occurring among Craftsman owners (being a Sears brand). Satisfaction and Reputation As may be expected, the brands most owned have high satisfaction ratings and are perceived as the best brands. However, Snap-on generally has the strongest brand reputation within the automotive tool market despite the fact that its customers rate Snap-on similarly to other top owned brands. But similar to potential top ownership shifts, Ingersoll Rand is growing in its reputation as the number one brand of pneumatic tools, and DeWalt is doing the same within the power tools market. Important Features As seen over the years, quality and durability continue to be the most sought after features in automotive tools. Warranties remain a secondary feature of importance. Alternative Powertrain Vehicles Alternative powertrain vehicles such as hybrid and electric vehicles constitute an insignificant share of automotive technicians' work. That is a function of their presence in the overall population. By 2016, alternative powertrain vehicles are forecast to represent x percent of the total vehicles in operation (VIO). Historically, at around x percent of VIO is where the aftermarket starts to pay attention to a particular brand or technology. As more of these vehicles hit the road—due to unstable fuel prices or concerns about the environment—automotive technicians will must be prepared to maintain/repair them. Currently, more automotive technicians are prepared to work on hybrid vehicles than electric vehicles. Source: SACBEE