How’s Your Business?
2011

Welcome to the 2011 “How’s Your Business?” survey report! Using the most current figures available from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2009, the number of general automotive repair locations was 77,389 and employed 312,939 individuals. The number of automotive body repair locations was 34,143 and employed 208,644 individuals. ASA is taking a conservative approach in estimating the number of shop locations for 2011 with an annual reduction of one percent in the marketplace based on overall economic conditions.

For a total of estimated revenue for those shops with employees, the U.S. Census Bureau’s latest figures are also reflective of 2009. General automotive repair locations generated $34.6 billion in 2009, down from $36.8 billion in 2008. Automotive body repair locations generated $24.4 billion in 2009, down from $26.1 billion. ASA is taking a conservative approach in estimating the revenue for shops for 2011 with an annual reduction of 1 percent in the market based on overall economic conditions.

Editor’s Note: Due to rounding, some percentages may not add up to 100 percent. In other cases, percentages greater than 100 percent may result if respondents were able to select more than one answer to a particular question.

Survey Methodology
The 2011 “How’s Your Business” survey was offered through a third-party online survey service to all regular members who have provided an email address for notifications. Regular members are automotive service businesses that provide automotive repairs/services to the motoring public, and/or businesses that provide repairs/services to exclusive fleets, such as public utilities. Overall, the membership response rate was 7 percent and included both mechanical division and collision division members.

The following report (PDF format) is developed and presented from mechanical and collision classification perspectives. Click on the links below to see how ASA members are doing in 2011.

To read what respondents said about their business the past year,
visit this month's Guest Editorial.