Number of Auto DIYers Unchanged

                          Maintenance Frequency Down

    BETHESDA, Md., July 3 Contrary to common belief, the
Do-it-Yourself (DIY) segment of the automotive aftermarket is not shrinking,
in fact, the percentage of DIYer households in the United States has remained
constant for the past six years, according to a new market research study
released today by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA).
    "The Aftermarket Consumer: Do-it-Yourself or Do-it-For-Me" study reveals
that since the last study in 1994, the percentage of U.S. households
performing light, medium or heavy-duty DIY maintenance has not changed.
Nearly half of all U.S. households contain at least one automotive DIYer
despite a sharp decline in the 25 to 44-year-old "prime" DIY age group.
    "Although the portion of DIYers has not changed since we did this study in
1994, the frequency with which DIYers work on the vehicles has declined," said
Alfred L. Gaspar, AAIA president and CEO.  "Our research shows that a higher
percentage of DIYers have gone from doing maintenance monthly or once every
two to three months to less than once every two to three months."
    A significant 20 percent drop in DIY oil changes occurred in the past six
years.  For example, 75 percent of DIYers changed their own oil in 1994.  In
2000, the percentage dropped to 55 percent.
    The AAIA study provides a number of DIY and DIFM profiles by age, gender
and light, medium and heavy DIY level.  The typical light DIYer is 49 years
old, male or female (male 51%, female 49%), married, with a college education,
$57,700 household income, with two vehicles, who works on his/her vehicle an
average of 12 times a year primarily to save money.  Whereas, the typical
medium and heavy duty DIYer is a married male who works on his vehicle 16 and
20 times a year, respectively.
    The DIFM section of the study shows that two-thirds of DIFMers choose
aftermarket service facilities over new car dealerships, listing trust,
convenience, guarantee and cost as the rationale.
    "The Aftermarket Consumer: Do-it-Yourself or Do-it-For-Me" is a 110-page
comprehensive report that includes:

    *  Trends in DIY maintenance incidence and frequency from 1994 to 2000;
    *  Analysis of DIFM consumer in from 1994 to 1999;
    *  DIY and DIFM maintenance practices by age, gender, vehicle type and
       age;
    *  Consumer auto parts and accessories purchases patterns;
    *  Analysis of DIY and DIFM consumer shopping activities;
    *  Types of tools owned by DIYers and DIFMers.

    The report is available to AAIA members for $295 and $495 for non-members.
To order a copy, call 301-654-6664, or order on-line at
http://www.aftermarket.org (click on products).

    About the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association:
    The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) is a Bethesda, Md.-
based association whose member companies manufacture, distribute and sell
motor vehicle parts, accessories, tools, equipment, materials and supplies.
The organization is comprised of manufacturers, distributors, jobbers,
wholesalers, retailers, manufacturer's representatives and other companies
doing business in the automotive aftermarket.  AAIA formerly served the
aftermarket as APAA and ASIA.