Market Insights with Mike is a series presented by the Auto Care Association's Director of Market Intelligence, Mike Chung, that is dedicated to analyzing market-influencing trends as they happen and their potential effects on your business and the auto care industry.


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  • July 19, 2022

    Level up with the 2023 Factbook!

    Guide to the 2023 Auto Care Association Factbook. Links to related resources, including the July 13 webinar.

  • June 15, 2022

    Have We Reached A Turning Point?

    Join Mike Chung and Daniel Zenko for a discussion of recent economic data and its implications for the automotive aftermarket. Specifically, we look at shipments of durable goods and how the recent increase (March 2022) bodes well for the economy.

  • April 14, 2022

    Live Action TrendLens User Sessions – Live from Bethesda!

    Has Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) been affected by recent fluctuations in the price of gas? Last week we hosted our first “Office Hours” session for TrendLens users.

  • January 12, 2022

    Auto Care Mailbag – Regional Aspects of Aftermarket

    In this issue of Market Insights with Mike, we use now-available regional data in TrendLens to explore how increasing COVID-19 incidence in the South may affect the aftermarket. This was prompted by questions sent in by members. TrendLens is an interactive economic and industry data platform available exclusively to Auto Care Association members. Learn how these new features can inform your company's operations and strategy.

  • December 15, 2021

    Positive Outlook for 2022 In Spite of Supply Chain and Labor Concerns

    In this year-end wrap-up, Mike Chung, director, market intelligence, Auto Care Association, highlights results of the 2022 Auto Care Outlook Study. We look at the top concerns across the automotive aftermarket based on member feedback. While aftermarket leaders are most concerned with supply chain/sourcing and worker recruitment/retention, the industry is overwhelmingly bullish in its outlook for 2022. This is a testament to the strong fundamentals - sustained high demand, an aging car parc - and the resilience and adaptability of the industry.

  • November 19, 2021

    Planning for the New Year

    Happy Thanksgiving! Can you believe it’s already that time of the year? Time has always been mysterious, and even more so throughout the pandemic. I had the pleasure of meeting several of you for the first time in Las Vegas a few weeks ago – thanks so much for making the effort to attend! As I walked the show floor and met people, a few thoughts ran through my head...

  • October 14, 2021

    Pricing Trends and Influences Amidst a Shocked Supply Chain

    In this edition of Market Insights with Mike, we look at recent trends in commodity prices, and how global supply chain disruptions continue to affect the automotive aftermarket. We'll give a preview of new data in TrendLens that will inform your business decisions as you navigate a continually evolving market, and point to a recent webinar where an industry-wide panel discusses how they have been looking at data in different ways since the pandemic started to adapt their corporate strategies and operations in real time.

  • July 8, 2021

    Vehicle Miles Traveled - Trends and Drivers

    In this article we look at VMT trends, particularly why Arity VMT has exceeded monthly USDOT VMT figures. We then discuss the reasons driving these discrepancies.

  • April 28, 2021

    On the Road Again

    VMT rose to a recent high in March 2021, but will the increased driving continue? Numerous external forces continue to impact consumer behavior amidst a fluid economy. This edition of Market Insights notes a few of these influencers, and shares data on selected industry indicators to shed light on various inputs that are affecting the automotive aftermarket and related industries.

  • March 4, 2021

    Navigate the Economic Snow Globe with Weekly Vehicle Miles Traveled Data

    Highlights of new features in TrendLens - weekly Arity Vehicle Miles Traveled, reference videos. Discussion of continued industry uncertainties and identification of disposable income as a possible leading indicator for automotive aftermarket retail sales in the context of emerging coronavirus relief stimulus.

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I'm Mike

Ready to dive into market research? I provide the industry with timely information on key factors and trends influencing the health of the automotive aftermarket and serving as a critical resource by helping businesses throughout the supply chain to make better business decisions.

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