We are the premium provider of automotive aftermarket research information for the U.S. automotive aftermarket industry, petroleum marketing companies, and convenience retailing. For more than 20 years, we have tracked buying trends to provide important consumer information. Industry leaders depend on our automotive aftermarket research and industry analysis to support their strategic decision-making and increase their understanding of consumer behavior.
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Today's Automotive Aftermarket Consumer
David Portalatin, Executive Director of Industry Analysis The NPD Group, Inc.
Category and data availability varies by country. For more information, contact us.
Front of Store/Light Application Parts
Air Fresheners
Anti-Theft Products
Appearance Accessories
Appearance Chemicals
Automotive Lighting
Batteries
Battery Accessories
Body Repair
Bulk/Professional Paint
Cargo Management
Electrical
Exterior Accessories
Filters
Fluid Management Accessories
Food/Beverage/Tobacco
General Merchandise
Grease/Lubes
Hand Tools
Hardware
Hand Cleaner
Interior Accessories
Light-Duty Shop Equipment
Mobile Electronics
Motor Oil
Non-Automotive Batteries and Flashlights
Paint/Coatings
Performance Chemicals
Reference/Entertainment
Refrigerants and Accessories
Safety
Sealants/Adhesives/Compounds
Spark Plugs
Tire and Wheel Accessories
Tires and Wheels
Towing and Hitch
Transmission Fluid
Washer Fluids
Wipers
Hard Parts/Application Parts
Brakes
Cooling
Climate Control (2008)
Exhaust (2008)
Fuel Systems
Rotating Electrical
Steering (2008)
Suspension (2008)
Motor Fuels
Convenience Stores
Alternative snack (granola, yogurt, energy bars, etc.)
ATM inside store
Automotive products
Automotive services (oil change, vacuum, air, water, car wash, etc.)
Beverage - Alcoholic
Beverage - Non-alcoholic (hot or cold)
Candy/Gum
Cigarettes/Tobacco
Dairy product, Ice cream
Fresh food prepared on site
Frozen foods (not single serve)
General merchandise (batteries, school supplies, etc.)
Grocery foods (cereal, canned foods, other groceries)
Health and beauty products
Lottery tickets
Newspaper, magazine, book
Non-edible groceries (laundry care, household care, etc.)
Perishable groceries (fruits, vegetables, deli food, etc.)
Salty snack (pretzels, potato chips, etc.)
Single-serve, pre-packaged food
Sweet snack (pastry, donut, cookies, etc.)
Other services (pay phone, video rental, money orders, etc.)
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Automotive Industry Expert
David Portalatin Executive Director of Industry Analysis
The NPD Group, Inc.
David Portalatin is the industry analyst for The NPD Group’s automotive aftermarket division. His diverse background and experience give him an in-depth understanding of consumer purchase patterns and trends in the automotive aftermarket, motor fuels, and convenience retailing industries.
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Recent News and Appearances
April 24, 2012
Eighty-Five Percent of Consumers Say the Price Needs to Be Right Before They Shop, Reports NPD
—Determining the right price an increasing challenge for retailers Port Washington, NY, April 24, 2012 — Price trumps sales and special deals, customer service, and convenience as a factor in deciding where to shop for the majority of U.S. consumers, according to The NPD Group , a leading market research company. NPD’s The Economy Tracker*, a monthly monitor of consumer sentiment about the economy and spending, finds that in the most recent survey (March 12) 85 percent of U.S. consumers say tha....
Over Half of Consumer Auto Products and Services Purchased Are for Cars 8 Years or Older and 19 Percent for Cars 15 Years and Older, Reports NPD
Houston, Texas, April 18, 2012 — Despite an increase in new car sales, the post-recession trend of consumers keeping their cars longer continues, a trend that bodes well for the automotive aftermarket and repair industry, according to The NPD Group , a leading market research company. NPD’s car care research finds that among consumers purchasing automotive products or repair services 59 percent report their purchase was for a car eight years or older and 19 percent purchased for a car 15 years a....
NPD Names Mike Leahy President of its Canadian Market Research Businesses
Port Washington, NY, March 28, 2012 ─ The NPD Group, Inc ., a global leader in retail and consumer research, announces the appointment of Mike Leahy as president of its Canadian market research businesses. Leahy will oversee all aspects of NPD’s technology, home, fashion, food and custom market research businesses in Canada. Leahy joins NPD with over 20 years in market research, including 18 years with Nielsen Media Research in Canada where he served as president of Nielsen Media Canada for ....
U.S. Consumers Paid 24 Percent More for 2 Percent Less Gas in 2011, Reports NPD
Chicago, March 27, 2012 — U.S. consumers waged a courageous battle against high gas prices by driving less last year, but still ended up paying 24 percent more for less gas, according to motor fuels research by The NPD Group , a leading market research company. NPD’s Motor Fuels Index finds that consumers paid 24 percent more dollars to purchase 1.7 percent fewer gallons in 2011 compared to 2010. The increased spending represents more than $76 billion dollars going into gas tanks in 2011 versu....
The NPD Group: Consumers Spent More Than $170 Million in 2011 Connecting Portable Media Devices in their Cars, but Traditional Car Audio Products Are Still in Demand
PORT WASHINGTON, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 14, 2012 –Portable media devices, such as smartphones, iPhones, and iPods, are gaining popularity in the vehicle as consumers increasingly use them to access digital content while on-the-go, according to leading market research company The NPD Group . In fact, sales of products designed to integrate portable devices in the vehicle accounted for more than $170 million in 2011, according to NPD’s Retail Tracking Service. NPD’s most recent study, Mobile CE: A ....
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