Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - 27

BUSINESS CONFIDENCE INCREASES AMONG AFTERMARKET BUSINESS LEADERS Results of the joint Business Confidence Index for July 2016 show that aftermarket business leaders had a more confident outlook on the automotive aftermarket but not the economy over the next 12 months, reports the Auto Care Association and Northwood University. Auto Care Association members completed the 67th monthly index survey and according to the data: business leaders on the high side of "slightly less confident" for the ninth time in the last 12 months (see Table 2). Aftermarket industry leaders have been bearish on the U.S. economy for five of the first seven months of 2016, seemingly validating the disappointingly low growth in U.S. GDP for the first two quarters of 2016 as well as the fourth quarter of 2015. The overall Auto Care Association/ Northwood University Automotive Aftermarket Economic Confidence Index for July 2016 stood at -3.57, up from the June reading of -11.84 (see Chart 2), keeping aftermarket CHART 1: Auto Care Association/Northwood University Business Confidence Index 20 Significantly Less Confident -100 to -51 Slightly Less Confident -50 to -1 No Change 0 Slightly More Confident JULY Position: 15.18 1 to 50 Significantly More Confident 51 to 100 TABLE 2: Auto Care Association/ Northwood University Economic Confidence Index NUMERIC RANGE ASSESSMENT Significantly Less Confident -100 to -51 Slightly Less Confident JULY Position: -3.57 -50 to -1 No Change 0 Slightly More Confident 1 to 50 Significantly More Confident 51 to 100 CHART 2: Auto Care Association/Northwood University Economic Confidence Index 3.57 8.20 Jan '16 -11.84 -20.42 -16.67 Jul '16 Jun '16 May '16 Apr '16 Mar '16 Feb '16 Nov '15 Oct '15 Sept '15 Jul '15 -25 Aug '15 Jul '16 Jun '16 0 Apr '16 May '16 Mar '16 Feb '16 0 -20 -3.57 -5.14 7.69 -2.78 -14.06 -11.20 Dec '15 1.30 -8.82 15.18 14.29 13.42 12.91 12.10 -10 -15 Jan '16 Dec '15 Nov '15 Oct '15 Sept '15 Jul '15 Aug '15 5 0 -5 5.77 11.11 10.94 13.40 5 16.18 18.34 10 10 0 NUMERIC RANGE ASSESSMENT The 68th monthly installment of the survey was sent to members on Aug. 10, 2016. Results are calculated monthly and reported in Auto CarE-news. Member responses will be used solely in the aggregate and for the purpose of providing empirical information. For more information, contact Auto Care Association market intelligence at 301-654-6664 or Dr. Timothy G. Nash, Northwood University, at 989-837-4323. These indices are prepared monthly by Dr. Nash and Northwood University aftermarket major, Matt Fusco. The overall Auto Care Association/ Northwood University Automotive Aftermarket Business Confidence Index for July 2016 was 15.18, up from the June reading of 0.00 (see Chart 1), keeping aftermarket leaders on the lower side of the "slightly more confident" category (see Table 1). 15 TABLE 1: Auto Care Association/ Northwood University Business Confidence Index www.autocare.org 27 http://www.autocare.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Auto Care Insider Volume 102