May 11, 2010—Dealership closings have had little impact on the sale of aftermarket parts in their geographical regions, according to a report released Monday by the NPD Group.

According to a zip code analysis of data from NPD’s Aftermarket Industry Monitor, aftermarket retailers in the area of a closed Chrysler dealership saw only a 0.8 percent increase in sales in the past nine months. The study found that customers are still sticking with dealerships; 51 percent of respondents reported driving to a less convenient dealership for repairs when a nearby dealership has closed.

NPD’s Aftermarket Industry Monitor tracks retail and commercial sales at the point-of-sale for over 18,000 auto parts stores in the U.S. For more information about NPD’s research and findings, visit npd.com.