Eaas 2009

Figure released at the EAAS Symposium held at Autopromotec 2009
European automotive aftermarket revenues total
165 billion euros in 2008

The turnover of the automotive aftermarket in Europe last year amounted to 165 billon euros, and by 2020 this figure could reach 230 billion euros to mark an increase of 40%.  These were the numbers released during the 2nd Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (EAAS 09) held during Autopromotec 2009, the most specialized international exhibition of equipment, products and services for the automotive industry in progress through May 24th at the Bologna Trade Fair Centre. “Ecology, technology, assistance and new European regulations: the effects on the future of the automotive aftermarket” is the theme of the symposium, which has been organized under the aegis of the Ministry of Economic Development and the Institute for Foreign Trade and sponsored by the Competition Directorate General of the European Commission and by the national and European trade associations AICA, ANFIA, AIRP, CLEPA, EGEA, FEDERPNEUS, FIGIEFA and FIRM.

In his remarks, Josef Frank, Aftermarket Director of CLEPA, pointed out how the current negative trend in sales of new cars in Europe makes the repair and maintenance  performed by companies in the auto aftermarket that much more important. The reason, emphasizes Massimo Brunamonti, President of EGEA, “is that the vehicle must be regularly maintained in a proper condition for its entire life, both in terms of safety and environmental protection.” “Maintaining the efficiency of an automobile means keeping fuel consumption and emissions under control,” reiterated Pierre Fleck, Executive Vice President of Fiat Group Automobiles Parts and Services. “Independent auto repair companies,” added Michel Villatte, President of FIGIEFA, “number 834,700 in Europe and employ 4,652,000 people. They represent a fundamental resource for the sector and a solid network of small and medium-sized companies that create non-relocatable jobs and contribute to economic growth.” “The auto after-sales market,” pointed out Paolo Cesarini, Head of Unit Competition Directorate General of the European Commission, “is a crucial sector for protecting consumers’ freedom of choice. And thanks to BER (Block Exemption Regulation 1400/2002) this segment has been able to grow by capitalizing on the stimulus of the competition between official networks and independent businesses. The regulatory situation is still too complex, a factor that must be taken into consideration by the European Commission when drawing up the new rules, which must ensure the sector’s competitiveness after the current BER lapses in 2010.”
The discussion during the Symposium also touched on other subjects: technological innovation and marketing strategies to deal with today’s economic situation and successfully meet the challenges of the next few years by seizing opportunities deriving from new technologies, new environmental standards, and the effects of the new European regulations on the sector.