Having spent alot of my past career in the car business, I noticed a trend a couple years ago where customers just couldnt purchase the new car they wanted.

There was several factors, mostly credit related or they had signed a ridiculous note on their trade-in and were so far upside down in it that there was no hope. As a sales consultant at the time, it was extremely frustrating especially to look the customer in the face and tell them the vehicle they wanted couldn't be purchased and see the look of disappointment.

Fast forward a bit and with fuel costs spiking, the popular markets for SUV's and trucks radically came to a hault. It hit home for me because this was specifically what I sold. Speaking to guys I used to work with in that industry, I hear they are dieing right now because the new car business is so slow.

Maybe you find yourself as a consumer in a similar position. Heck, I just sold a mustang I had simply because I didnt need the car payment. Recently, I had a customer buying some parts from me ask how we were doing during all of this and it got me to thinking about it. Its obvious that the auto industry is down, but what about the parts business? I have noticed personally alot of customers deciding to keep their old mustang or truck and fix it up instead of selling it.

We have always sold quite a bit of performance parts, but it seems the trend has shifted somewhat to restoration parts. With the way these cars are built its not unusual to hear a customers daily driver has well over 200k on it. With more and more parts becoming available on a daily basis, we can simply fix up that old friend and not have to sign our life away 60 months on a car note.

With all of the media casting a negative connotation on the auto industry, you can be assured the parts industry is still prevalent and booming. Plus its nice to take that car payment money and spend it on toys for your ol friend and make it look and drive like new again! -Karson