Automotive Repair & Maintenance Services Industry Profile

The US automotive repair and maintenance services industry includes about 165,000 establishments (single-location companies and units of multi-location companies) with combined annual revenue of about $85 billion. Major companies include Meineke (a division of Driven Brands), Midas, Monro Muffler Brake, Precision Auto Care, and Safelite Group. The industry is highly fragmented: the 50 largest companies generate less than 10 percent of revenue.

Separate industry profiles cover Automotive Oil Change & Lubrication Services and Car Washes, which are included in the automotive repair and maintenance services industry.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand depends on car usage and the number of cars on the road. The profitability of individual companies depends on convenient location and good marketing. Large companies can maximize use of expensive diagnostic equipment and have advantages in purchasing, distribution, and marketing. Small companies can compete effectively by providing superior customer service or offering specialized services. The industry is labor-intensive: average annual revenue per worker is about $100,000.

Competition includes other venues that provide automotive services, including some gas stations, car dealerships, and branches of chain stores, like Sears and Kmart. Auto repair shops perform an estimated 70 percent of repairs for out-of-warranty vehicles, according to the Automotive Service Association (ASA).

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major services include mechanical repair (about 60 percent of industry revenue), collision repair (25 percent) car washes (10 percent), and oil change and lube (5 percent). Mechanical jobs are classified as repairs to undercar systems (mufflers ...