The severe crisis affecting the automotive industry, and the worrying repercussions for the components sector is a topic known not only to insiders but also to anyone who does not live too far from reality. Among the various articles in this issue of Pneurama, we also talk about the results of the ANFIA Observatory, which foresees a future that is certainly not rosy for the automotive supply chain. Meanwhile, the latest news events show the explosion of the crisis of two large industrial groups, with tens of thousands of jobs at risk.
It has always been said that the after-sales assistance sector is a counter-cyclical sector compared to the automotive industry: it is true, because if the latter is in decline it means that old cars remain in circulation longer and will need more maintenance. But one thing that not everyone takes into account is that the aftermarket is, yes, counter-cyclical compared to the automotive sector, but it will not be that way forever, because once a certain threshold is exceeded, analysts predict that the crisis of the new car could also begin to spread onto the assistance sector. Finding concrete solutions to rapidly stop this dangerous process of involution is therefore in the interest of the entire mobility sector.
Given the generally positive trend of its activity, the car repair sector can still consider itself lucky for the time being, especially tire dealers, since no matter how cars are powered - electric, petrol, hybrid, diesel or hydrogen – they will still have to travel on rubber. Of course, this is not the time to be overconfident, but rather to rethink one's investments in terms of diversification and expansion of services. Drawing inspiration from the last issue of this year, the special on ADAS maintenance can provide a useful example of the opportunities that are in store for tire dealers in terms of diversification and to keep up with the times.
A counter-cyclical sector, but not forever
