With the numerous serious economic problems currently playing out on the world stage, it might seem like every industry on the planet could easily be vulnerable to a catastrophic decline in sales. However, if one is to pay any respect to the intensely devout automotive fans we call “gearheads” — they’re called “petrol heads” in the UK — as well as to ordinary consumers, it seems that the sales of aftermarket wheels, exhaust systems, cold air intake systems, performance chips, rims, and all the rest are guaranteed to continue selling quite well for beyond the foreseeable future.
You see, it’s not only obsessive automotive do-it-yourselfers who drive the aftermarket, it’s cost conscious consumers who, rather than purchasing automobiles, will be hanging on to their old ones, necessitating repairs and replacement aftermarket parts. As economic problems and uncertainly continue, there are only going to be more people who feel compelled to take this path. If, however, the economy improves significantly to the point where many of these people feel confident enough to purchase new automobiles, then the aftermarket slack will be picked up by the aforementioned gearheaded obsessives, many of whom will suddenly find themselves flush with cash.
When a devout car enthusiast has wads of money burning a whole in his or her pocket — and, yes, there are some “hers” in the gearhead world — the sky really is the limit as to what they might spend and what they might spend it on. Gold plated exhaust systems? Platinum rotors? Body kits that turn your Ford Fiesta into a reasonable facsimile of a Cylon Battle Cruiser? A silver air intake system with a picture of Chewbacca and Harry Potter on it? Nothing is too over-the-top…okay, the ones we just listed are pretty silly, but you get the idea.
The point is that the automotive aftermarket appears to be one of the most reliably strong players in the current economy. In poor markets and strong ones, it’s a given that, despite considerable friction from the large car companies, the auto aftermarket will continue to grow and thrive.
Tags: air intake system, air intake systems, cold air intake, cold air intake systems, ford fiesta