make sure they are 1. The percentage of parts pur- optimizing their grew by 11% in 2020 to 45%. This digital experience for for years. Sources like Adweek both desktop and 49% - 54% of all online purchases mobile shoppers 2021. The bottom line is that deal- made many customers very cautious with larger purchases. This confirmed the used car purchase or repairing the current vehicle choice for many consumers. As a result, the average car age reached 11.9 years in 2020. IHS Markit predicts that after a steady increase over the past decade, the average vehicle age will only continue to rise. Their predic- chases made on a mobile device mobile shift has been happening and Statista predict that between will be made on a mobile device in ers not only need to make sure tion includes an additional increase in age from four to they are online, but they also need to make sure they six months in the coming years. As we all know, when are optimizing their digital experience for both desk- cars grow older, they require more maintenance. This top and mobile shoppers. opens the door of opportunity to generate even more 2. In addition to the rise in mobile purchases, online parts and service revenue at the dealership. OTHER AREAS OF OPPORTUNITY marketplaces like Amazon and eBay present another strong opportunity for dealerships to increase parts revenue. While the growth in Parts eCommerce was clearly ev- * According to Hedges & Co., Amazon is aggressively ident in 2020, there are two somewhat related areas going after the auto parts market at a claim of nearly that dealers should specifically monitor: the mobile $7 billion for aftermarket and OEM replacement parts. shopping experience and online marketplaces. With more than 300 million consumers on Amazon MARCH APRIL 2021 || FIXED OPS MAGAZINE 21