Chip shortage is having a positive impact on the automotive aftermarket industry

Sep 22, 2021

The chip shortage has not been good for new car sales but its doing wonders for the automotive aftermarket businesses charged with keeping used cars on the road and looking good.

The chip shortage has not been good for new car sales but its doing wonders for the automotive aftermarket businesses charged with keeping used cars on the road and looking good.

“I apologize for the wait. What can I do for you?” said Erik Fagan, sales associate at Ziebart of Utica on a recent day when greeted by a reporter.

The Troy-based company is always busy in September and October, when rustproofing becomes an important combatant against salty roads, but the hustle and bustle has been more so than usual of late.

“That’s today’s work,” Fagan said, pointing to at least a dozen invoices covering everything from window tinting and rustproofing to paint protection.

“Everybody is taking care of what they have,” said Fagan, who has been in the business for more than 10 years and has never seen it this busy.

“We haven’t even done a full season (of winterizing vehicles) and it’s already been a fantastic year.

That’s just his location in Utica.

According to the 60-year-old company, Ziebart is experiencing record-breaking sales across their entire system of 400 locations and 1,200 service centers in 33 countries. This includes a 300% increase in services like rustproofing and truck bed liners.

Other factors driving the sales is the reduced inventory of cars on dealer lots coupled with a 10 to 28% bump in car prices.

— The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Source: www.macombdaily.com

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