Structure of the Retail Auto Parts Industry
The retail auto parts industry is characterized by stiff competition in many areas, including brand recognition, customer service, and price. The industry is impacted by both the age and number of vehicles in service, especially those that are no longer under manufacturer’s warranties (typically seven years old and older). Demand for retail auto parts can best be described as counter-cyclical: as consumers’ cash flows decrease, drivers tend to keep their vehicles longer, leading to more retail auto parts sales. Though competition among constituents is intense, we like the industry’s defensive characteristics.
We’ve dropped coverage of stocks in the Auto Specialty Retailers Industry.