NASHVILLE — Vehicle evolution is current and continuous, and poses a challenge to the security of the aftermarket, if each market segment is not prepared for its role in the industry.
"The vehicle electronics revolution has arrived. Together we need to answer the question, 'What is our role in this industry and what must we do to advance this industry in the future?'" Frank Ordoñez, president of Delphi Product & Service Solutions, vice president of Delphi Corporation, said at the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance expo in Nashville, Tenn.
Three of the top five things consumers demand in a vehicle are safety related, according to J.D. Power & Associates research. "Safety sells and it has become a demand," Ordoñez says.
Meanwhile, anywhere from 25 to 70 electronic control units are installed in a car at development, and this number is positioned to only rise in the future, he says. The industry can push forth and succeed in the midst of these changes if the segments all agree to be industry partners. — Krista McNamara, contributing editor
About the Author
Krista McNamara
Krista McNamara is the former Editorial Director for the Vehicle Repair Group at Endeavor Business Media. She oversaw five brands — Motor Age, PTEN, Professional Distributor, ABRN and Aftermarket Business World. She worked in the automotive aftermarket industry for more than 15 years.