Category: Features

The latest feature articles about the automotive aftermarket from THE SHOP.

KPI: State of the Economy

The country gained 273,000 new jobs last month despite growing concerns of the coronavirus pandemic—uncertainty that triggered stock market volatility and caused wary central bankers to implement emergency interest rate cuts. A few short weeks later, the administration’s decades-low unemployment rate of 3.5% is overshadowed by a fierce novel virus that is, quite literally, applying… Continue reading KPI: State of the Economy

KPI: The Voice of Consumers

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® reported a slight uptick during February, following an increase in January. “Despite the decline in the Present Situation Index, consumers continue to view current conditions quite favorably. Consumers’ short-term expectations improved, and when coupled with solid employment growth, should be enough to continue to support spending and economic growth… Continue reading KPI: The Voice of Consumers

KPI: New and Used Vehicles

New Vehicle Market The dead of winter turned out to be a pleasant surprise in total new vehicle sales, with Manheim and Cox Automotive data citing an 8.4% year-over-year increase during February. The SAAR came in at 16.8 million—a boost from last year’s 16.5 million, though down from January’s 16.9 million rate. A number of… Continue reading KPI: New and Used Vehicles

KPI: Recent Vehicle Recalls

2013-2019 Lexus and Toyota Cars Vehicles Affected: Approximately 1.8 million model-year 2013-15 Lexus LS 460 sedans; model-year 2013-14 GS 350 sedans; model-year 2014 IS-F sedans; model-year 2014-15 GX 460 and LX 570 SUVs and IS 350 sedans; model-year 2015 NX 200t SUVs and RC 350 coupes; model-year 2017 IS 200t sedans and RC 200t coupes;… Continue reading KPI: Recent Vehicle Recalls

SBA Offering Disaster Assistance Loans

As part of overall government efforts to combat the COVID-19 outbreak and minimize economic disruption, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small business owners that the SBA’s Disaster Assistance Loan program offers up to $2 million in assistance for qualifying small businesses. The SBA loans can be used to pay fixed debts, payroll,… Continue reading SBA Offering Disaster Assistance Loans

Himalaya Unveils Wyoming ‘Experience Center’

Himalaya, a builder of modified Defenders, has revealed its ‘Himalaya Experience Center’ in Alpine, Wyoming, which is set to make its debut in the winter of 2020, with all amenities being available for attendees upon arrival. “Putting together this experience center showcases what the Himalaya brand is all about, which is a desire to seek-out… Continue reading Himalaya Unveils Wyoming ‘Experience Center’

From the Mag: Driving Up Profits

The excitement created by a vehicle with suspension modifications is the road to added profits for restylers and their new- or used-car dealer clients. Suspension modifications—usually lifts or leveling systems—are often the start of a complete customization package that fuels interest in modified vehicles. A lifted, complete-packaged pickup parked on a dealer’s show floor next… Continue reading From the Mag: Driving Up Profits

Volkswagen Reveals ID.4 Compact SUV

Volkswagen has revealed some of the details behind the ID.4, an all-electric compact SUV, that will be launched in Europe in 2020, before later being sold in Asia and North America. It is the second vehicle to use Volkswagen’s modular electric drive architecture (MEB), following the compact ID.3. The ID.4’s aerodynamically designed exterior perfectly sets… Continue reading Volkswagen Reveals ID.4 Compact SUV