dirtynails

Americans Will Prove to Be Formidable Do-It-Yourself Mechanics

There are two kinds of repairs on cars, and the average car owner has neither the ability nor the equipment to do the high-tech kind (fuel injection, data bus, GPS, etc). On the other hand, the AZO/AAP customer is strictly low-tech, doing the absolute minimum to keep an older car rolling - oil and filter, fluids, brake pads. Parts supplier service operations are for customers who don't even have the physical space or skill to do that. However, the SUV/European sports sedan crowd is not going to get their hands dirty - they will probably forgo an $800 major service at their dealer and go low-ball at the mom and pop mechanic shop for any repair/service their warranty doesn't cover. As soon as the economy turns around, they will once again bask in the prestige and ease of full service dealerships.