MARKET INTELLIGENCE WHAT DO OUR MEMBERS THINK? vehicles lasting are extending vehicles are theextending vehicle repair the vehic wind Average age ofAverage vehicles age of vehiclesLonger lastingLonger 3.25 AVERAGE VEHICLE AGE LONGER-LASTING VEHICLES ARE EXTENDING THE VEHICLE REPAIR WINDOW Since the survey's inception in 2011, "average age of vehicles" has consistently remained the top issue impacting our members' businesses and has increased in importance by 5.5 percent since 2011. IHS Markit reports the average age of all light vehicles in 2016 as 11.6 years, up from 10.7 years in 2011. This long standing and second rated issue has steadily increased in level of importance by 6.5 percent from 3.72 in 2011 to 3.96 in 2016. Americans' penchant for keeping their vehicles longer bodes well for the industry. Visit www.autocare.org/market-intelligence. 24 AUTO CARE INSIDER | VOL. 103 3.25 2016 2016 3.25 2015 3.50 2014 3.50 2016 2013 3.50 2013 3.75 2012 3.75 2011 3.75 2015 4.00 2014 4.00 2016 2013 4.00 2014 2011 2015 2012 4.25 2013 2012 2 4.25 2014 2011 2015 2012 1 4.25 2011 4.25 THE Auto Care Association first released its series of quarterly Key Issues Impact Surveys (KIIS) in January 2011. The purpose of 4.00 the survey was to gain a better understanding of members' opinions on 18 key issues impacting their businesses. These issues, identified by the Market Intelligence Committee, 3.75 focused on four broad areas of the business environment including: the economy, the consumer, technology and DIFM repair outlets. 3.50 Association members were asked to rate 18 key issues ranging from average age of vehicles to virtual office/ telecommuting, on a scale of one to 3.25 five, with one having the lowest impact and five having the highest impact on their businesses. Current survey results are then compared to previous results so that shifts in the relative position of each issue can be monitored and reported at the end of each quarter. Presented in the graphs are the results of the most recent survey completed at the end of the third quarter of September 2016. These results are compared with those from previous quarterly surveys going back to 2011. Only the top five of the 18 surveyed issues are displayed in the graphs.http://www.autocare.org/market-intelligence